Marco Polo on “Mahometans” (Muslims) in 1298 He is describing the city of Taurus, in Irak (Iraq). “… Taurus is so advantageously situated for trade, that merchants from India, from Baldach (Baghdad), Mosul, Cremessor, as well as from different parts of Europe, resort thither to purchase and sell a number of articles. Precious stones and pearls in abundance may be procured at this place. The merchants concerned in foreign commerce acquire considerable wealth, but the inhabitants in general are poor. The consist of a mixture of Georgians, Persians, and the followers of Mahomet (Mohammad), who form the bulk of the population, and are those properly called Taurisians. Each description of people have their peculiar language. The city is surrounded with delightful gardens, producing the finest fruits. The Mahometan (Muslim) inhabitants are treacherous and unprincipled. According to their doctrine, whatever is stolen or plundered from others of a different fait, is properly taken, and the theft is no crime; whilst those who suffer death or injury by the hands of Christians, are considered as martyrs. If, therefore, they (Muslims) were not prohibited and restrained by the powers who no govern them, they would commit many outrages. These principles are common to all the Saracens. When they are at the point of death, their priest attends upon them, and asks whether they believe that Mahomet (Mohammad) was the true apostle of God. If their answer be that they do believe, their salvation is assured to them; and in consequence of this facility of absolution, which gives free scope to the perpetration of everything flagitious, they have succeeded in converting to their faith a great proportion of the Tartars, who consider it as relieving them from restraint in the commission of crimes….” Haven’t changed much in nearly 800 years, have they …
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 01:58:37 +0000
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