‘Traveling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller’
- Ibn Battuta
The most famous explorer in the Muslim World, Ibn Battuta, travelled more than any other explorer in pre-modern history - around 117,000 km!
A thread on the 14th century explorer Ibn Battuta…
1/ Ibn Battuta was born in 1304 CE in Tangier, Morocco. His travelogue the Rihla is his most important work. His journeys in the Rihla lasted for a period of almost thirty years, covering nearly the whole of the known Islamic world & beyond.
2/ Ibn Battuta travelled more than any other explorer in pre-modern history, surpassing Zheng He with 50,000 km (31,000 mi) and Marco Polo with 24,000 km. His total distance travelled was approximately 117,000 km (73,000 mi) (15,000 mi).
3/ Ibn Battuta’s family hailed from a Berber background and had a long-standing tradition of serving as qadis or Islamic judges. In his quest to perform Hajj, Ibn Battuta, at the age of 21, braved the harsh conditions of the Arabian desert en route to Mecca.
4/ Pilgrims typically visited and studied under eminent scholars while travelling to their destination, which led to prolonging Ibn Battuta’s trips. He studied Islamic Law in Egypt and served as a judge in India.
5/ After leaving Mecca, Ibn Battuta travelled extensively over the next few years, touring Persia, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa. He also visited Mogadishu and explored the coasts of Kenya and Tanzania and beyond.
6/ Ibn Battuta's travels were filled with peril, but he managed to survive both robbery in India and a shipwreck in Calicut. His resilience in the face of danger is a testament to the bravery and fortitude that drove him to undertake such daring expeditions.
7/ China marked the beginning of the end of Ibn Battuta’s travels. Having reached the edge of the known world, he finally turned around & journeyed home to Morocco, arriving back in Tangier in 1349.
8/ Upon his return to Tangier, Ibn Juzayy was commissioned to write Ibn Battuta’s travel accounts & compile them into the Rihla - the journey, covering a vast array of experiences & observations
Historic copy of selected parts of the Travel Report by Ibn Battuta, 1836 CE, Cairo
9/ His book the Rihla is considered a thorough commentary on the Islamic empire, showcasing various aspects of the social, cultural, and political history of the Muslim world in the 14th century and beyond.
10/ Ibn Battuta's whereabouts after the Rihla's completion are uncertain, and little is known about his life except that he possibly worked as a judge in Morocco and passed away around 1368.
11/ On the famous Catalan Atlas of 1375, it is thought that the figure at the bottom left on the camel is Ibn Battuta, travelling to see the great Mali leader, Mansa Musa
12/ Ibn Battuta's journeys provide an invaluable source for the social, cultural & political history of the Muslim world in the 14th century. He was a keen observer of life & his descriptions are marked by a human approach which is unusual for historical writing of the time.
13/ The great explorer, Ibn Battuta continues to be remembered and celebrated across the Muslim world for his valour and contributions, leaving a great example to follow for many generations to come
Embark on a captivating journey through time and space with our exclusive online event, "Mapping Wonders: Exploration, Travel, and Cartography across the Muslim World." Uncover the rich tapestry of exploration and discovery that spans centuries, continents, and cultures within the Islamic world.
Thursday 14 September
12:00 - 1:00pm
Online Event
All ticket holders receive a recording to watch the event back at your convenience
Delve into the intricate art of cartography, where ancient scholars meticulously recorded uncharted territories, trade routes, and celestial movements. Unravel the tales of intrepid travelers who ventured across deserts, mountains, and seas, bridging civilizations and shaping the course of history.
Join us as renowned experts unravel the hidden treasures of Islamic maps, revealing not only geographical landscapes but also the profound intellectual and cultural exchanges that flourished alongside these journeys. From Ibn Battuta's legendary voyages to the scientific brilliance of Al-Idrisi's "Book of Roger," this seminar will immerse you in a world of exploration and innovation that transcends borders.
Whether you're an avid traveler, history enthusiast, or simply curious about the dynamic interplay between maps, travel, and the Muslim world, this seminar offers a unique opportunity to explore the past and present through a captivating lens. Unearth forgotten stories, trace ancient routes, and broaden your perspective in this one-of-a-kind virtual exploration:
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‘Traveling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller’
- Ibn Battuta
The most famous explorer in the Muslim World, Ibn Battuta, travelled more than any other explorer in pre-modern history - around 117,000 km!
A thread on the 14th century explorer Ibn Battuta…
1/ Ibn Battuta was born in 1304 CE in Tangier, Morocco. His travelogue the Rihla is his most important work. His journeys in the Rihla lasted for a period of almost thirty years, covering nearly the whole of the known Islamic world & beyond.
2/ Ibn Battuta travelled more than any other explorer in pre-modern history, surpassing Zheng He with 50,000 km (31,000 mi) and Marco Polo with 24,000 km. His total distance travelled was approximately 117,000 km (73,000 mi) (15,000 mi).
The Qur’an was first revealed during the month of Ramadan. This blessed month is also known by Muslims as the month of Fasting
To celebrate the arrival of #Ramadan here are 24 beautiful Qur’anic manuscripts found in museum collections across the world #RamadanMubarak
A thread…
1/ Folio from a Manuscript of the Qur'an
Iran, Shiraz, 1550-1575
Ink, colors and gold on paper
@LACMA #Ramadan
@LACMA 2/ Double Folio from a Qur'an
c. 1330-1350, Central Asian or Turkish
Early Muslim settlers from central and western Asia carried Islamic book traditions into India, especially in the form of Qur'ans, such as the one from which these pages come
Shah-i-Zinda is one Samarkand’s most beloved sites, which contains some of the richest tile work in the world. The magnificent architecture draws inspiration from multiple periods & styles, taking you back through time & across cultures
A thread on the beauty of Shah-i-Zinda…
1/ The Shah-i-Zinda ensemble includes mausoleums, mosques & other ritual buildings of 11-15th & 19th centuries. The name Shah-i-Zinda (meaning The living king) is connected with the legend that Qutham ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH is buried here
📷 Ash Diler
2/ Shah-i-Zinda is a world-famous example of a continuously constructed historical site. Over 1,000 years ago, it was founded with a single religious monument. Between the 11th & 19th centuries, mosques & mausoleums were continuously added
From Spain to Azerbaijan, to Germany to Bosnia, Europe has some of the finest mosques.
The presence of Islam in Europe is not a new phenomenon, with Muslims residing in the continent as early as the 8th century.
Here are 24 mosques across Europe #JummahMubarak
A thread…
1/ Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque, Mostar, Bosnia
Dates back to 1617 & features numerous multicolored windows, a minaret with a lookout spot & a courtyard with several tombs. Although the original Ottoman mosque was heavily damaged during the attacks of the 1990s it has been restored
2/ The Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking, England
This is the first purpose built mosque that was built in the UK.
It was built in 1889 by Dr Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, an orientalist of Jewish descent from Hungary. Money was donated by Begum Shah Jahan, the Nawab Begum of Bhopal.
Welcome to Al-Mutanabbi Street the ‘Book Market of Baghdad’, where books remain in the street at night because Iraqis say:
“The reader does not steal and the thief does not read.”
A thread on the rich heritage of the historic book market on Al-Mutanabbi Street…
1/ Al-Mutanabbi Street is the historic center of Baghdad bookselling, that dates back to the time of the Abbasids. Located near the old quarter of Baghdad, Al-Mutanabbi Street was Baghdad’s first book traders’ market.
2/ Al-Mutanabbi Street has been, since time immemorial, the historic heart and soul of the Baghdad literary and intellectual community.
Libraries developed in the Islamic Golden Age due to a commitment to literacy & seeking knowledge. One of the oldest libraries in the world Al-Qarawiyyin library, was founded by a Muslim woman, more than 12 centuries ago!
A thread on the greatest libraries in Islamic history…
1/ Al-Qarawiyyan Library, Fez, Morocco
Founded by a Muslim woman, Fatima El-Fihriya in 859, it is one of the oldest libraries in the world & the oldest library in Africa. It also holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest working library, & is still in use today…
1.1/ The Al-Qarawiyyan Library houses a collection of 4,000 rare books & ancient Arabic manuscripts written by renowned scholars of the region. The manuscripts include a 9th century version of the Quran and a manuscript on Islamic jurisprudence written by philosopher Averroes.