Islam’s contribution to European values

The growing perception within the last 30 years of a so-called “clash of civilisations” should not obscure our indebtedness to the Islamic world. 

While Europe languished in the Dark Ages, a golden age of learning flourished further east.

The international language of science was Arabic and Baghdad’s House of Wisdom contained the largest repository of books in the world.

The arrival of Islamic scholarship in Spain via North Africa reintroduced the lost works of the ancient Greeks to Europe and brought advances in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, philosophy, literature, art and theology.

This laid the foundation for the Renaissance in the 14th century, which underpinned European values.

These values allow people with different views to co-exist within a socio-legal framework that protects all equally.

This goal requires ongoing reflection and debate but as a cornerstone of democracy, it is one we must never lose sight of.

Maeve Halpin

Ranelagh

Dublin 6