Dwie twarze islamu – przypadek średniowiecznej Sycylii
Two Faces of Islam – Case Study of the Medieval Sicily

Summary/Abstract: Islam today is being perceived as the religion that is in the state of conflict with the Judeo-Christian tradition. But a case study of the medieval Sicily proves that it is possible to create a multicultural society in the name of the Koran. Strategic location of the island has always attracted settlers. It was under Byzantine rule since the 6th century. In the 8th century it attracted the attention of the Arabs, just then creating their new states in North Africa. One of them was the Aghlabid Emirate. In 827 it sent an invading army to Sicily. The Muslim conquest of the island, punctuated with the outbursts of onslaught and destruction, lasted for several decades. In the 10th century the reins of power went to the rulers from the Kalbids dynasty. They introduced a policy of tolerance, promoted arts and science and supported trade and agriculture. In the 11th century Sicily was conquered by the Normans. Recognising the high value of the culture they encountered on the island, they retained most measures of their predecessors. The official languages were Latin, Greek and Arabic. The mixture of various cultures in Sicily produced one of the most advanced societies of that period.

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