Islamization of history

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The Islamization [Islamisation] of history is phrase coined out of history is written by the victors. In this case Islamization of history is produced by and within those regions where Islam has an established dominance. The Islamization of history is carried out in several ways. Where a country has become Islamic, there is an effort to change or alter history so that it reflects more favourably on the religion of Islam^[1]. This can extend to wiping out or redirecting the actual origins of a country's people, so that there can be an established Arabian origin^[2] CIA Factbook.

Moreover the body of Islam, Islamized the history of its achievements or contributions, by adding achievements that were not entirely their own [the number zero]^[3], or exaggerating or overemphasizing accomplishments done in collaboration with other cultures, notably because these cultures were conquered by Islam and their pre-existing knowledge base was added to that of the Islam base of knowledge.

[edit] Modern Attempts To Islamize History

The case of Pakistani school history books is one example of modern day attempts to Islamize history^[4].

When the General Pervez Musharraf government attempted to introduce chapters in the students history books on the history of Hinduism, Buddhism and ancient emperor Chandragupta Maurya, there was protest from some quarters, most notably the MMA, who staged a protest walkout in Pakistani National Assembly.

“That may be your history, (but) ... our history (starts) from Makkah and Medina,” MMA member Farid Ahmad Piracha shouted as he led his alliance's walkout.

Pakistan was created around 60 years ago through the Partition of India, which means that its history is largely Indian's history. Some believe that since the partition was based on religious grounds, school textbooks were written, to leave out references to most of the region's 5000 year old history from the Mohenjadaro and Taxila, including all history which pre-dated Islam and the arrival of Islam on Indian soil.

According to the Sri Lankan Sunday Times of Pakistan school textbooks:

The (text) books correctly highlight the glories of the Mughal period: "In the entire history of the subcontinent no other dynasty acquired as much importance as the Mughal dynasty."

In contrast, the Hindu period is dismissed in one sentence: "The Hindus were not much interested in history and we have a very few historical records of this period."

The downfall of the great Mughal Empire is attributed to this: "They had lost in the course of time their great spirit of jihad and self-sacrifice."

In an introduction to Indian history and culture, prescribed for class VIII, the chapter on the Muslim invasion of Sind says: Its administration by Muslims was marked by political wisdom. Toleration was extended to the Hindus who came to be known as protected people and were allowed to stick to their faith and observe their religious practices in return for a tax called jizya, or poll tax."

This verses a quote from Will Durant:

"The Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history. It is a discouraging tale, for its evident moral is that civilization is a precious good, whose delicate complex of order and freedom, culture and peace, can at any moment be overthrown by barbarians invading from without or multiplying within." ^[5]