Moor Truth

NGUYEN KIM TRAN
Staff Writer

In European history, the Moors were a nomadic people, known for their architecture, religion and knowledge. According to the book The Golden Age of Moors by Ivan Van Sertima, many European universities were established during the time when Moorish science and literature flourished in the Iberian Peninsula. In these schools, Moorish treatises and texts were often translated from Arabic to Latin as tools to study.

As the rulers of Spain, the Moors continued to respect the languages, political rights and cultures of the conquered people. They even left behind spectacular architectural works of influence, most notably the Alhambra Cathedral in Granada. For these reasons, many have argued that the Moors were responsible for bringing Europe out of the Dark Ages with their contributions in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, science, art and agriculture. Yet, according to The Golden Age of the Moors, the Moors’ Islamic religion also made them an enemy of Catholicism.

The Moors discredited the church’s power and authority. The Ta Neter Foundation believes that in attempt to dispel Moor influence from Western Europe, Charles Martel launched the spread of more European art, music, and culture which stimulated the Renaissance Era.

According to an online article written by Guy McCartney, “Council on American-Islamic Relations Notes Arab Mascot and Alhambra High Mascot,” our school’s depiction of the Moors is in contrast to how they truly were as people. The Moor is often seen carrying a sword with a ‘look of aggression’ on his face, which is now a statement of ‘stereotyping’ and ‘discrimination’ in the eyes of the Council of American-Islamic Relations.