2/5/2010

I am finding this course very interesting so far. I think that the combination of the readings, video's, lectures, and taking notes is really starting to help the information disseminate through the confines of my brain. As I stated in my first blog, I really seek to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the middle east, and I believe that looking at the historical aspect of it helps greatly. I like the idea of being an historian, and starting from as early in the history of Islam as possible, then working my way up to the present. I have learned many things about terminology as well. Gaza means holy war against non Muslims for the expansion of Islam, and I synced that with the Gaza strip in the middle east, probably between Israeli territory and Palestinian territory. I also now know what Sunnis and Shi'as are now. Sunni's have Imam's and Shi'as have caliphs. Shi'as believe that Muhammad possessed divine esoteric knowledge that other human beings do not. Overall, I find the history fascinating. On a side note, the Ottoman's astonish me because of their impeccable leadership skills. They kept power for hundreds of years, and mastered the fundamentals of getting people to do what you want; give some, take some.