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‘Islam is a constant in Europe’: new Humanities podcast delves into the history of Islam

‘Islam and Muslims are not something that happened to Europe; they are part of Europe. In fact, Islam is one the biggest constants in European history,’ argues Professor Maurits Berger in the new eight-part History of Islam in Europe podcast series of the Leiden University Faculty of Humanities.

As one of the major voices in the Islam debate, Berger frequently shares his opinions on topics such as integration in the media. In Matters of Humanities: History of Islam in Europe, he delves into the background of Islam in Europe. How did eighth-century Europeans respond when the first Muslims arrived in Europe? How did Christians and Muslims live together? And why did the rise of Orientalism coincide with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire? 

Berger: ‘People are often surprised to hear that the history of Islam in Europe is more than a history of wars. It’s also a story of diplomacy and trade, knowledge and the arts, and Muslims living in peace with Christians and Europeans for centuries on end. Islam and Muslims are not something that happened to Europe; they are part of Europe. They were part of it in the past, and they are part of it now. This podcast series covers this history, from the first Muslim ever to set foot in Europe to our modern multicultural society.'

More information

Matters of Humanities: History of Islam in Europe is available starting from 7 February on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and universiteitleiden.nl/wearehumanities

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