President John F. Kennedy (JFK) detailed the rich history between the U.S. & Morocco at a 1963 state dinner in honor of King Hassan II of Morocco. JFK discussed the long friendship between the two nations, which dates back to George Washington (18th century). JFK stated: “…George Washington sent to the Emperor of Morocco the American Constitution and in the letter which he sent accompanying it he said the following words, which I think still govern the policy of the United States towards His Majesty’s country. Washington wrote, ‘It gives me pleasure to have this opportunity of assuring Your Majesty that while I remain head of this nation I shall not cease to promote every measure that may contribute to the friendship and harmony which so happily subsist between your Empire and this Republic and shall esteem myself happy in every occasion of convincing Your Majesty of the high sense which, in common with the whole nation, I entertain of the magnanimity, wisdom, and benevolence of Your Majesty.’” Listen here. Know your facts.
I often hear the following statements from critics: "Muslims have never done anything for civilization" or "Islam oppresses women." Well, let me introduce the critics to Fatima al-Fihri, a Muslim woman from Tunisia who founded the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco. Al-Qarawiyyin was founded in 859, more than 1,000 years ago. This place of higher learning is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest existing and continually operating educational institution in the world. Know your facts. (Illustration: Bijou Karman).
Meet Ahmad bin Na'aman Al Kaabi, the first Arab emissary to visit the U.S. on a diplomatic mission. Said bin Sultan, Ruler of Muscat & Oman, selected Al Kaabi in 1840 to open trade with the state of New York. Al Kaabi and his officers attended a reception for the governor of New York and vice-President of the U.S. Al Kaabi’s mission was to trade Persian carpets, coffee, dates, and other goods for American products. This painting of Al Kaabi is in the Peabody Essex Museum (Massachusetts). Know your facts.
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln's administration received the advice of Muslims on the matter of ending slavery? In October 1864, General Hussain Pasha of Tunisia addressed a letter to Amos Perry, the American consul-general in Tunisia, and the U.S. Secretary of State, William H. Seward. The letter urged Americans - in the name of "human mercy & compassion" - to end slavery in the United States. Pasha referred to Prophet Muhammad’s anti-slavery views in his argument. He wrote: “Humanity invites you to eradicate from your Constitution all that can give countenance to the principle of slavery. Pity the slave. God loves the merciful among his worshippers. Be then ye merciful to those upon earth, that He who is in heaven may be merciful to you.” Know your facts.
Read more: http://images.library.wisc.edu/FRUS/EFacs2/1865-66p3/reference/frus.frus186566p3.i0018.pdf
Did you know that Sultan Abdülmecid of the Ottoman Empire was so moved by the plight of Ireland's famine in the 1840s that he donated £1,000 to relief efforts? Initially, he is said to have offered £10,000 (the equivalent today of around €1m) to help ease the suffering. However, Queen Victoria, upon learning of his generous charity, requested that he reduce his donation to a more modest £1,000, so as not to embarrass her own relatively meagre offering of £2,000. A letter written by Irish nobles (pictured) in the Ottoman archives explicitly thanks Sultan Abdülmecid for the help. Know your facts.
