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Madrid...

Posted: Apr 16, 2008 Wed 10:37 am Views: 289 Interacts: 1

Thanks to the scholarly work of Gavin Menzies we now know that America was discovered by a chinese muslim Maulana Zheng He rehmatullah ilahi. But nothing could have prepared me for what I learned in Madrid - that this lively and vibrant city's foundation was laid by Muhammad Ibn Abdal Rahman rahmatullah Ilaihi. He had named it Magred (Takbir!)

What struck me a bit odd about Madrid is that much of its historical buildings and landmarks are quite recent. The giant ancient looking cathedral across from the Royal Palace was completed in 1993 (you feel so cheated!) Many of the landmarks and historic buildings were constructed in 19th and 20th century. In fact, the ONLY truly old historic landmark I found was the ruins of the fort built by Emir Muhammad in the 9th century. I suppose that little incident called "spanish inquisition" and then the intervening wars (civil war etc) destroyed much of the city's history.

In any case, one of my lasting impression of the Spaniards is that while they are materially less well off than western europeans and the Americans, they seem happier. Cafes and restaurants burst with people well into the night and bars are full until the Fajr prayers. Music, water fountains, artists and tourists are all around. School children seem to swarm the city. Like much of southern europe, the family structure seems very much intact. Hence there does not appear to be the rampant lonliness so pervasive in western europe and US.

This city that was founded by Muslims is now one of the most lively cities in Europe. Emir Muhammad rehmatullah ilaihi would be so proud!