Page 306 - A Call for a Turkish-Islamic Union

A CALL FOR A TURKISH-ISLAMIC UNION

to that to which they have devoted their
lives. You are likely, likewise, to find people
who will present to you meals of many
kinds. You may eat, but do no forget to men-
tion the name of Allah. 36

The rapid growth of Islam brought
Byzantine-ruled Syria and Egypt, as well as Sassanid-
ruled Iraq, under Muslim rule. Each of these regions
had large Christian populations. These Jews and
Christians witnessed first hand the Muslims' justice
and compassion. None of them were asked or pres-
sured to change their religions or traditions. No practice or inter-
vention that would have altered the existing social order or unset-

tled them was permitted. Various Christian sects that were being
oppressed by Rome or Byzantium actually preferred Muslim rule.
The Western historian Phillip K. Hitti writes:
Under the stimulus of Islam, the East now awoke and re-
asserted itself after a millennium of Western domination.
Moreover, the tribute exacted by the new conquerors [Muslims]

304