In January 1492, the Reconquista ended, resulting in the expulsion of Muslims from the Iberian Peninsula. A few months later, Christian monarchs issued a decree obliging Jews to leave the lands that had recently become part of the Christian world. Many of the exiles found refuge in the Ottoman Empire, an important center of Muslim culture at the time. The Turkish economist Data Rodrik, a descendant of one such family, once revealed that their original surname was Rodriguez, a common surname among the Jews of Iberia. At first glance it may seem surprising that Jews would turn to Muslims for help in avoiding persecution, but in those days the Ottoman Empire was far more hospitable than Spain or other Christian states.
Sultan Bayezid II reportedly welcomed Jews as valuable immigrants. What was lost to Catholic monarchs became a gain for the Ottoman Empire. Although Jewish communities, like other non-Muslim groups, were heavily taxed, they were given considerable autonomy to manage their own affairs. The common perception of Islam's religious intolerance is often untrue. The term “jihad,” for example, originally implied efforts to achieve a noble goal rather than exclusively religious warfare. Despite the presence of militant elements, Islam places great importance on education. The Prophet Muhammad once said: “The ink of a scholar is more valuable than the blood of a martyr.”
It is worth noting that the Renaissance in Europe owes much to the Muslim world. It was through translations of Greek and Latin texts into Arabic that these works were preserved and made available for later translation into European languages. While Christian Europe often destroyed the heritage of the pre-Christian era, considering it pagan, Muslims promoted its preservation. Preconceived notions of Islam as an exclusively spiritual religion, far removed from science and progress, also do not stand up to scrutiny. In fact, the Islamic world has made significant contributions to the development of scientific thought and economic structures.
↑ Social mobility in the Islamic world and other cultures
In Islamic countries, trade occupied a key place in economic and social life. Arab merchants extended their routes from Korea in the east to Africa in the west, while covering the Mediterranean region. The high status of merchants was largely due to the fact that the Prophet Muhammad himself was a merchant. Islam, as a religion closely associated with trade, paid special attention to contract law. Already in the early centuries, Muslim states began to train professional judges, which was far ahead of the Christian world. By comparison, in most European countries, judges did not need a legal education until the ninth century.
Islamic tradition also provided opportunities for social mobility. For example, the sons of peasants could pass exams to enter the civil service and join the ranks of scholars-bureaucrats who occupied the highest social positions. However, such cases remained rare. The sons of artisans and merchants, who stood at a lower level of the social hierarchy, were often not even allowed to participate in such examinations.
↑ How does this affect the development of society?
There are no fundamental barriers to progress in Muslim culture itself. On the contrary, many of its elements are conducive to economic development: the emphasis on education, scientific thinking, the absence of rigid social hierarchy, the high prestige of commercial activity, and strict adherence to legal norms. However, ignorance and bias create distorted perceptions of foreign cultures. People tend to focus on negative aspects that seem threatening and attribute all socio-economic problems to cultural peculiarities.
↑ Examples of economic success in Islamic countries
The economic success of Islamic countries dates back to the Golden Age of Islam, when the Muslim world became an economic and cultural bridge between East and West. Baghdad, as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, became a center of international trade and science. The extensive network of trade routes made it possible to deliver goods from China, India and Africa to the Mediterranean and Europe. It was then that banking systems began to develop, including the concepts of checks and credit instruments that merchants used to facilitate transactions.
Subsequently, Islamic cities such as Damascus, Cairo, and Cordoba flourished through industrial fabric production, metalworking, and agriculture. During the Middle Ages, the Muslim world was a leader in the production of cotton cloth, glass, and paper, which ensured their sustained economic power. The invention and improvement of irrigation systems increased agricultural productivity, which also contributed to prosperity.
In the Ottoman Empire, from the 15th century onward, economic stability was based on the strategic control of key trade routes between Europe and Asia. Istanbul became a trading hub where cultures and goods met. The Ottoman policy of relative religious tolerance facilitated the influx of skilled professionals and merchants, which kept the empire economically active.
Turning to modern times, the economic growth of the Persian Gulf countries is worth mentioning. Since the mid-twentieth century, oil has been the basis of their prosperity. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have transformed their economies by using oil revenues to modernize infrastructure, create jobs and attract investment. For example, Dubai, once a small fishing port, has become a global financial center and a symbol of economic diversification.
In addition to the oil powers, other Islamic countries are also showing success. Turkey, through reform and industrialization, has become one of the world's largest economies. Indonesia, the largest Muslim country by population, is developing export industries including palm oil, electronics and textiles.
From the medieval spice trade to modern financial and technological advances, Islamic countries have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to adapt to the challenges of the times and generate sustainable economic growth.
↑ Conclusion
Distorted stereotypes about Islam prevent an objective understanding of its role in the modern world. Far from stifling economic growth, Islam contains many ideas that support entrepreneurship, equitable resource allocation and economic sustainability. Recognizing this helps to break down prejudice and create a more harmonious society based on mutual respect and understanding.
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