|
"And of course,
Indian knowledge was also transmitted to West Asia, not only
in the field of medicine and astronomy, but in mathematics. That's
one of the reasons why today, we borrow from the Indians what
is called the Arabic 'zero'. It came to us from India but it
was popularized in the West by the Muslims. So it is now identified
as the Arabic numerals, because the Arabic numerals carried to
the West the concept of a 'zero'. We wouldn't have computers
today if that civilizational knowledge was not borrowed from
the Arabs by way of the Indians."
"There is one
thing Christianity and Buddhism have in common. They are the
only two world religions where the birthplace of the founding
father they do not control. Buddha was an Indian, but is more
influential now among Chinese and other Asian groups than Indians.
Just like Christ; you go to the Middle East, there are more Jews
and Muslims. Christians are very small in number now in the birthplace
of Jesus."
"Now in the case
of the Chinese, they have four different kinds of mosques. They
have, what they call, the 'Eid Mosque', which was reserved exclusively
for Eid prayers; so when they have Eid prayers like Eid-al-Adha,
Eid-al-Fitr, they will go to that place... And they have a Chinese
name for it. Then they have the mosque for Jummah prayers, reserved
exclusively for Jummah prayers. But then they have mosques close
to the tomb of their saints and then they have musallahs on the
highways and in the mountains where they will pray. So these
were the different types of places to worship in China."
|
In this speech given at the Dar al Islam
Institute in New Mexico, Sulayman Nyang captures the history
of the Muslim experience in Central, South, and Southeast Asia.
Traveling Muslim armies and trading expeditions gave rise to
the spread and development of Islam in this part of the world
many centuries ago. And although the distinct cultures, languages, and dynasties
that existed in this region all presented various barriers for
Islamic development they also presented many opportunities. Learn
the fascinating history behind the knowledge transfer between
the Arab Muslims and the Hindus, Chinese and other Asians from
language blending, cultural 
adaptations, building of Masjids, and
other community establishments. How did the coming of Islam affect
these groups and influence the remnants we all see in Asia today?
(Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers'
Institute seminar).
