Muslim Footprints episode 8: Muslim Spain

Muslims governed for almost a thousand years in the Iberian Peninsula, with Arabo-Islamic culture leading the way in science and art, philosophy and theology. It’s a period known for its cosmopolitanism – where Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived and worked together in peaceful coexistence.

The history of al Andalus is not one of foreign occupation. It is not an anomaly, nor is it an exception. It represents, rather, an integral part of the historical process that created not only modern Spain and Portugal but modern Europe too.

Brian Catlos, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, authored the book Kingdoms of Faith, which tells the story of Muslim Spain. He joins us on this episode for a whirlwind journey through al Andalus.

In 2019, Mawlana Hazar Imam, delivered a speech at the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards in Lisbon, in which he noted the creativity and pluralism of that time.

“The presence here tonight of the President of Portugal, the Vice-President of Parliament, the Minister of Culture, and so many other members of Government, speaks eloquently to the commitment of this country to pluralistic ideals in pursuit of a better tomorrow. We are deeply honoured to have you all with us. 

The musicians we recognise this weekend represent highly diverse forms of the Muslim musical heritage. Now I know that in some parts of the world, the words “Muslim” and “music” are not often linked together in the public mind. But they should be.

The cultural heritage of Islam has long embraced musical language as an elemental expression of human spirituality. Listening to music, practising music, sharing music, performing music - have long been an intimate part of life for Muslim communities across the world, as has been the chanting of devotional and historical or epic texts.

I learned at a young age about how my own ancestors, the Fatimids, cultivated music in the city of Cairo a thousand years ago. And I also learned about how the Iberian region where we are now meeting, the territory known as al Andalus, produced new forms of music and poetry in the late medieval period. It was here in al Andulus that Muslims, Jews, Christians, created together an exemplary culture of tolerance, fostering musical creativity that even included new types of musical instruments and pioneering approaches to music education.”