A Golden age of Arab culture
A Golden age of Arab culture
Among the great civilizations of world history, Arab Islamic culture of the classical age occupies a place of major importance. Between the 9th and the 13th centuries this brilliant and original civilization left a distinctive mark on a vast territory stretching from Baghdad on the Tigris, across the Near East, the Middle East and North Africa to the Iberian peninsula. Its influence was felt in many other parts of the world, and it served as an indispensable link between Antiquity and the medieval Western world.
In this issue of the Unesco Courier writers and historians from the Arab world examine some facets of this great cultural flowering. Unesco is currently developing a comprehensive programme of studies on Arab culture. It aims to bring out the "authenticity, cohesion, unity and universality" of Arab culture, as well as throw light on the contribution of Arab Islamic culture to other cultures, and their interrelations. Finally, in 1979 Unesco will organize a major conference on cultural policies in the Arab world.