Places

Explore the rich Islamic history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, from Ottoman conquest to the unique Bosniak Muslim identity, architectural masterpieces, and the resilience of Islamic culture through centuries of change and conflict.

Bukhara, known as 'Bukhara-i-Sharif' (Noble Bukhara), served as a major center of Islamic learning, trade, and culture in Central Asia, renowned for its scholars, architecture, and role as a Silk Road hub.

Córdoba served as the capital of Al-Andalus and one of the largest, most prosperous cities in medieval Europe. Under Umayyad rule, it became a center of learning, culture, and religious tolerance, housing the famous Great Mosque and a library containing over 400,000 volumes.

A comprehensive exploration of Egypt's transformation from ancient Pharaonic and Coptic Christian civilization through Islamic conquest to become a center of Islamic learning and modern Arab leadership, examining Al-Azhar's religious authority and Egypt's pivotal role in Islamic history and contemporary Middle Eastern politics.

The Ferghana Valley, birthplace of Babur and crossroads of Central Asian civilizations, has served as a crucial center of trade, culture, and Islamic learning for over a millennium.

Granada was the capital of the last Islamic kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula, ruled by the Nasrid dynasty from 1238 to 1492 CE. Home to the magnificent Alhambra palace complex, Granada represented the final flowering of Islamic civilization in Al-Andalus and the culmination of Moorish architectural and artistic achievement.

A comprehensive exploration of Iran's transformation from the ancient Sassanian Empire through Islamic conquest to the modern Islamic Republic, examining its unique Shi'a identity, religious leadership structure, and profound impact on Islamic civilization and culture.

Islamic Ethiopia encompasses the rich history of Islam in the Horn of Africa, from the first Hijra when early Muslims sought refuge in the Christian Kingdom of Axum in 615 CE, through the rise of powerful Islamic sultanates like Ifat and Adal, to the diverse Muslim communities that comprise roughly one-third of modern Ethiopia's population. This unique Islamic tradition developed in close proximity to ancient Christian civilization, creating complex patterns of coexistence, conflict, and cultural exchange.

The third holiest city in Islam, known as Al-Quds (The Holy). Site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, and the destination of Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey (Isra and Miraj). Conquered peacefully by Umar ibn al-Khattab in 637 CE.

Discover Jordan's pivotal role in Islamic history, from early Islamic conquests and the Umayyad desert castles to the Hashemite Kingdom's guardianship of Jerusalem's holy sites and its position as a modern Arab state balancing tradition and modernity.

The establishment and development of Kufa as a major administrative and military center during the Rashidun and early Umayyad periods, serving as the capital of Iraq and later as Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib's seat of power during the First Fitna (656-661 CE).

The holiest city in Islam, birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, and site of the Kaaba. Located in Saudi Arabia's Hejaz region, it is the destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage and the direction of prayer for Muslims worldwide.

The second holiest city in Islam, where Prophet Muhammad established the first Islamic state after the Hijra in 622 CE. Home to the Prophet's Mosque and his burial place, Medina served as the capital of the early Islamic community.

Samarkand, the legendary city of Central Asia, served as the capital of Timur's empire and a center of Islamic learning, architecture, and astronomy under the Timurids.

Timbuktu was one of the most important centers of Islamic learning and trade in medieval Africa, flourishing from the 13th to 16th centuries. Home to the prestigious Sankore University and hundreds of thousands of manuscripts, it became synonymous with wealth, knowledge, and the far reaches of the known world.