Audience Quote by Bernard Lewis
“Muslims naturally saw Christendom as their arch rival. One point that is really important to bear in mind, particularly in addressing an American audience, and that is that the Islamic world has a very strong sense of history. In the Muslim world, history is important and their knowledge of history is not always accurate but is very detailed. There is a strong historical sense in the Muslim world, a feeling for the history of Islam from the time of the Prophet until the present day.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Muslims and the West, 1990
Muslim societies view history as a detailed, identity‑shaping narrative, influencing contemporary perspectives and interactions.
In simple terms: History shapes Muslim identity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize historical influence.
Themes
culture
identity
history
perception
dialogue
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- educational programs
- media commentary
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Historical consciousness
civilizational analysis
intercultural relations
Questions to Reflect On
- How does history affect current Muslim‑Western relations?
- What role does accurate history play in dialogue?
A Different Perspective
Historical narratives may be selective or biased.
![“Different groups in the [Middle East] drew two lessons from [return of the shah in Iran] - one, that Americans were willing to use both force and intrigue to install or restore their puppet rulers in Middle Eastern countries; the other, that they were not reliable patrons when these puppets were…” quote by Bernard Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/89b/bernard-lewis-11653_middle-east_different-groups-in-the-middle-east-drew_37501.jpg)
