WA1 MUSLIM INNOVATIONS THAT SHAPED THE WORLD IAE
MUSLIM INNOVATIONS THAT SHAPED THE WORLD In this ibook you will find images, videos and a prereading that will help you to familiarise yourself with the topic for Writing Assessment 1.
Video 1 Time: 3.24 Video 2 DISCUSSION What do you know about the Golden Age of Islam? When did it begin/ end? Can you name any famous inventors or scholars from that time? Can you name any Muslim inventions that we still enjoy today? Now watch the videos. Time: 1.06 Video 3 Time: 46secs 2
Pre-reading: During the Golden Age of Islam, there were many intellectual and social achievements. Taking inspiration and knowledge from the different cultures within their empire, Muslims made significant algebra, a possibility. One of the most important fields was Islamic medicine, which, during this age of enlightenment, was centuries ahead of Europe. contributions to the world, many of which are still used and enjoyed today. The Golden Age of Islam flourished during the Abbasid Dynasty, when new ideas and inventions were introduced and passed on to other societies, including Western Europe, which was suffering a dark age of ignorance. Islamic scholars gathered knowledge from the known world and added their own findings during this time. For example, Muslim artists, who were highly skilled in calligraphy, decorated objects and buildings. In the field of mathematics, Arabic numerals, adapted from India, made the idea of zero and consequently Building upon the knowledge of Greek scholars, Muslim intellectuals developed techniques and procedures that would form the basis of modern medicine. One of the major contributions to medicine was the establishment of hospitals. Paid for by donations known as Zakat tax, they were soon widespread across the Islamic Empire. They provided a place for 3
physicians and other staff to study and research, and offered care to the sick and disabled. It was not only the introduction of hospitals that made the Golden Age a time of significant change. A Muslim physician and surgeon, whose reputation spread far and wide, was responsible for many advances in the field of surgery during that time. Known in Europe as Albucasis, he invented many surgical instruments. He also wrote an illustrated medical textbook, in which he described diseases, symptoms and treatments. Many of his innovations lead to the surgical instruments used in hospitals today. 4
ABBASID DYNASTY A sequence of rulers from the same family (the Abbasids).
CONTRIBUTIONS Something given to someone or to society.
FLOURISHED Grow quickly
ILLUSTRATED Shown in pictures (illustrations).
INNOVATIONS New ideas.
INTELLECTUAL Related to the intellect or intelligence.
INVENTIONS A thing or idea that has been created.
PHYSICIANS Doctors.
REPUTATION The opinion someone has about someone or something.
SCHOLARS Learned people who are skilled in a particular subject.
SURGEON A doctor who performs operations.
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS Tools used to perform operations.