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01-02-2003, 11:11 PM
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Civilization
Period of Vigorous Awakening
Early Institutions of Learning
Prepared by
Dr. Syed Imtiaz Ahmad
imtiaz@mnsi.net
Preface
We may often wonder about the history of civilization. Where did it all begin? Who were the thinkers, philosophers, scientists, and engineers that gave rise to modern civilization? We may trace the roots of civilization back to thousands of years BC. Here we will explore only one aspect of the civilization, that of group learning in the form of schools and universities, and in particular related to the more recent period of history, that of the Renaissance, representing a vigorous revival of learning. What brought about this Renaissance and how did it begin? That is our story here.
All well-known historians point to the vigorous awakening of learning brought about by the Islamic civilization as the foundation for the Renaissance in Europe, at the very least accelerating the emergence of Renaissance by at least a century. What new way of learning, beyond those of the Greeks, did the Muslims bring to civilization? In the words of well-known historians, it was the accumulation of positive knowledge, the minute method of science, detailed and prolonged observation and experimental inquiry. The first mathematical step from the Greek conception of a static universe to the Islamic one of a dynamic universe was made by Al-Khwarizmi (780-850), the founder of modern Algebra. Our purpose here is not to claim credit for the Islamic civilization but to understand what made it happen and to visit some major landmarks that emerged during the rise of the Islamic civilization.
We may say that Islam began with Adam and trace the roots of Islam to Abraham, Moses and Jesus . However, Islam as a comprehensive way of life was revealed in the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad who passed this message to humanity not simply in words but living it fully and bringing it to a vivid reality among his people. The Qur'an called for observing and reflecting on the world around us, and engaging in learning as a foundation for self development and collective development of the society. Encouragement for learning and in particular the enrichment that comes from group learning is what inspired the quest for knowledge among Muslims. Islamic civilization became an all-inclusive human endeavor. It was motivated through sayings such as, "a word of wisdom is a lost treasure of Muslims and they should readily reclaim it," "learning is an obligation upon all Muslims," and that "knowledge should be pursued wherever it can be found, even travelling to distant lands that may ordinarily appear out of reach."
In Islamic civilization, the Mosque or place of group worship was also the place of group learning, and for that matter most other civic affairs. Our story begins in North Africa, in the country now known as Tunisia. This part of the world was the seat of Phoenician civilization beginning 9th century BC at Carthage, later destroyed and rebuilt by the Romans in 146 BC, taken over by the Vandals and Byzantine for several centuries and subsequently came under the control of Muslims beginning 647 AD. After some setbacks at the hands of the Berbers and Romans, the Islamic rule was firmly rooted in 698 with the establishment of the new city at Qairwan south of Tunis, as the capital of what was then known as Ifriqiya. We want to begin our story in Tunis at Zaitouna Mosque and School.
Zaitouna Mosque and University
(Also known as Zitouna, al-Zaytuna or Zatuniyyah)
What is in a Name?
We do not have recorded information on why the Mosque University was named Zaitouna. However, we do know the place of the word zaitouna, an olive tree, in history. Mount of Olives in Jerusalem is known as the place of Ascension of Jesus Christ . Going back further in history, an olive branch was brought back by a dove to Noah to show that the flood had abated. Olive Branch is an ancient symbol of peace.
Between the 7th & 3rd centuries BC philosophers, physicians and historians classified olive oil and referred to its curative properties. Hippocrates regarded it as both a food and a medicine. Most olive trees have a life span of 300-400 years. Some grow to be 700 years and older.
Zaitouna Mosque and School, to be later known as Zaitouna University, were founded as one integrated institution of learning in 732. Construction of the Mosque was completed in early 800 during the Aghlabid period. This institution became the main center of learning, as well as the center of civic activities. A network of shopping clusters, known as souks, grew around Zaitouna Mosque, with the residential areas spreading out from this central area. The evidence of this hub of civilization can be easily seen even today. Zaitouna is among the dominant landmarks in Tunis. Of course, what was happening in Tunis in early 800 was also occurring in several other major centers of Islamic civilization in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. We will visit some landmarks in those places later in our continuing story of vigorous awakening in learning and changes in civilzation.
Tunisians, trained as scholars and teachers, at Zaitouna mosque-university in Tunis, played a key role in governance and in taking the group learning in the form of schools from the city to the interior of the country. From a general purpose learning institution inspired by the Qur'anic message, Zaitouna went through changes in curriculum and focus. For example, Zaitouna over the period focused on training of teachers and jurists, as opposed to the study of mathematical and experimental sciences. Sometime, this focus develops naturally, as it often may happen today, based on the primary sources of funding for the University. At other times, it may also be influenced by political consideration.
Zaitouna Mosque-University has played prominent role many times in the history of Tunisia, and thereby, indirectly the world events. Its endorsement of Tunisian President Bourguiba's ideas on national reforms played a pivotal role.
Zaitouna Mosque-University that was the fountainhead of change in civilization in one period of history may not have kept pace with changing civilization in another period of history, possibly due inertia within itself and the societal dynamic external to it.
In 1956, the Tunisian government incorporated the Zaitouna Mosque-University into the University of Tunisia as part of the public education system.
References
Durant, Will, The Story of Civilization, Volume IV, The Age of Faith, Simon and Schuster, NY, 1950.
Faruqi, Ismail R., and Faruqi, Lois L., The Cultural Atlas of Islam, MacMillan, NY, 1986.
Nasr, Seyyed Hossein, Islamic Science, An Illustrated Study, World of Islam Festival Publishing Company, 1976.
Perkins, Kenneth, J., Tunisia: Crossroads of the Islamic and European Worlds, Westview Press, Boulder, CO, 1986.
Civilization
Period of Vigorous Awakening
Early Institutions of Learning
Prepared by
Dr. Syed Imtiaz Ahmad
imtiaz@mnsi.net
Preface
We may often wonder about the history of civilization. Where did it all begin? Who were the thinkers, philosophers, scientists, and engineers that gave rise to modern civilization? We may trace the roots of civilization back to thousands of years BC. Here we will explore only one aspect of the civilization, that of group learning in the form of schools and universities, and in particular related to the more recent period of history, that of the Renaissance, representing a vigorous revival of learning. What brought about this Renaissance and how did it begin? That is our story here.
All well-known historians point to the vigorous awakening of learning brought about by the Islamic civilization as the foundation for the Renaissance in Europe, at the very least accelerating the emergence of Renaissance by at least a century. What new way of learning, beyond those of the Greeks, did the Muslims bring to civilization? In the words of well-known historians, it was the accumulation of positive knowledge, the minute method of science, detailed and prolonged observation and experimental inquiry. The first mathematical step from the Greek conception of a static universe to the Islamic one of a dynamic universe was made by Al-Khwarizmi (780-850), the founder of modern Algebra. Our purpose here is not to claim credit for the Islamic civilization but to understand what made it happen and to visit some major landmarks that emerged during the rise of the Islamic civilization.
We may say that Islam began with Adam and trace the roots of Islam to Abraham, Moses and Jesus . However, Islam as a comprehensive way of life was revealed in the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad who passed this message to humanity not simply in words but living it fully and bringing it to a vivid reality among his people. The Qur'an called for observing and reflecting on the world around us, and engaging in learning as a foundation for self development and collective development of the society. Encouragement for learning and in particular the enrichment that comes from group learning is what inspired the quest for knowledge among Muslims. Islamic civilization became an all-inclusive human endeavor. It was motivated through sayings such as, "a word of wisdom is a lost treasure of Muslims and they should readily reclaim it," "learning is an obligation upon all Muslims," and that "knowledge should be pursued wherever it can be found, even travelling to distant lands that may ordinarily appear out of reach."
In Islamic civilization, the Mosque or place of group worship was also the place of group learning, and for that matter most other civic affairs. Our story begins in North Africa, in the country now known as Tunisia. This part of the world was the seat of Phoenician civilization beginning 9th century BC at Carthage, later destroyed and rebuilt by the Romans in 146 BC, taken over by the Vandals and Byzantine for several centuries and subsequently came under the control of Muslims beginning 647 AD. After some setbacks at the hands of the Berbers and Romans, the Islamic rule was firmly rooted in 698 with the establishment of the new city at Qairwan south of Tunis, as the capital of what was then known as Ifriqiya. We want to begin our story in Tunis at Zaitouna Mosque and School.
Zaitouna Mosque and University
(Also known as Zitouna, al-Zaytuna or Zatuniyyah)
What is in a Name?
We do not have recorded information on why the Mosque University was named Zaitouna. However, we do know the place of the word zaitouna, an olive tree, in history. Mount of Olives in Jerusalem is known as the place of Ascension of Jesus Christ . Going back further in history, an olive branch was brought back by a dove to Noah to show that the flood had abated. Olive Branch is an ancient symbol of peace.
Between the 7th & 3rd centuries BC philosophers, physicians and historians classified olive oil and referred to its curative properties. Hippocrates regarded it as both a food and a medicine. Most olive trees have a life span of 300-400 years. Some grow to be 700 years and older.
Zaitouna Mosque and School, to be later known as Zaitouna University, were founded as one integrated institution of learning in 732. Construction of the Mosque was completed in early 800 during the Aghlabid period. This institution became the main center of learning, as well as the center of civic activities. A network of shopping clusters, known as souks, grew around Zaitouna Mosque, with the residential areas spreading out from this central area. The evidence of this hub of civilization can be easily seen even today. Zaitouna is among the dominant landmarks in Tunis. Of course, what was happening in Tunis in early 800 was also occurring in several other major centers of Islamic civilization in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. We will visit some landmarks in those places later in our continuing story of vigorous awakening in learning and changes in civilzation.
Tunisians, trained as scholars and teachers, at Zaitouna mosque-university in Tunis, played a key role in governance and in taking the group learning in the form of schools from the city to the interior of the country. From a general purpose learning institution inspired by the Qur'anic message, Zaitouna went through changes in curriculum and focus. For example, Zaitouna over the period focused on training of teachers and jurists, as opposed to the study of mathematical and experimental sciences. Sometime, this focus develops naturally, as it often may happen today, based on the primary sources of funding for the University. At other times, it may also be influenced by political consideration.
Zaitouna Mosque-University has played prominent role many times in the history of Tunisia, and thereby, indirectly the world events. Its endorsement of Tunisian President Bourguiba's ideas on national reforms played a pivotal role.
Zaitouna Mosque-University that was the fountainhead of change in civilization in one period of history may not have kept pace with changing civilization in another period of history, possibly due inertia within itself and the societal dynamic external to it.
In 1956, the Tunisian government incorporated the Zaitouna Mosque-University into the University of Tunisia as part of the public education system.
References
Durant, Will, The Story of Civilization, Volume IV, The Age of Faith, Simon and Schuster, NY, 1950.
Faruqi, Ismail R., and Faruqi, Lois L., The Cultural Atlas of Islam, MacMillan, NY, 1986.
Nasr, Seyyed Hossein, Islamic Science, An Illustrated Study, World of Islam Festival Publishing Company, 1976.
Perkins, Kenneth, J., Tunisia: Crossroads of the Islamic and European Worlds, Westview Press, Boulder, CO, 1986.