Explore Al-Andalus
March 7-18, 2018
12-Day Interfaith Cultural Heritage Tour in Southern Spain led by Prof. Munir Shaikh
MADRID | TOLEDO | CORDOBA | SEVILLA | COSTA DEL SOL | GRANADA
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE
Munir Shaikh
Munir Shaikh is Director of Academic Affairs & Planning at Bayan Claremont Islamic Graduate School in Southern California. He holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from UCLA, where he studied the history, architecture and culture of Al-Andalus. He served as a teaching assistant for several summers in UCLA's study abroad program to southern Spain and Morocco, and has led his own tour to these areas on numerous occasions. He has traveled and lived abroad for advanced study of Arabic in Fes, Morocco and at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, and the NEH Mediterranean Seminar in Barcelona. He has taught university courses in World History, the Middle East, and Islam, and has participated in numerous public education projects related to Islamic history, has been a reviewer of K-12 world history textbooks and supplemental materials, and has provided professional development workshops to thousands of K-12 educators over the course of his career. He regularly provides public lectures addressing medieval Islamic/Arab culture, art, and literature, as well as contemporary interreligious and intercultural affairs.
Tour Package
A high quality experience tailored to your interests
10 nights hotel (4* in most cases) Private luxury coach transportation Breakfast + lunch or dinner (2 meals/day) Entrance fees to scheduled monuments, museums and activities, including flamenco show Local bus, taxi, metro fares during group excursions Gratuities for group transport, meals, activities Daily lectures/discussions with instructional materials Airfare is not included. Budget about $1,000 per RT ticket from US gateways
Destinations
MADRID
Madrid is the capital of the modern Spanish state, a cosmopolitan city located roughly in the center of the country. The city acquired its European quality during the 17th century and beyond, when Spain was at the peak of its confidence and power. The name of the city, however, hints at its Arabic roots: "Madrid" comes from "al-majrit," meaning "the water channel." The Andalusis were famed for their irrigation practices, and a small Muslim settlement located in the border regions between Islamic and Christian Spain bore the name referring to this quality. Al-Majrit was lost to the Muslims at the time when the great city of Toledo was surrendered to the Christians in 1085 CE.
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TOLEDO
Toledo is located roughly in the center of the Iberian peninsula, 42 miles southwest of Madrid. It is situated on a large hill and is surrounded on three sides by the Tagus river, creating a natural fortress. As a result of its isolated position, Toledo retains a quaint medieval quality, with narrow cobblestone streets and various handicraft shops. Toledo is still known for the metalwork produced by expert craftsmen in a style that clearly reflects Islamic origins. In fact, the works of gold and black metal are referred to as damasquinos, referring to the Syrian city of Damascus, from whence the Umayyads had come to establish their rule in Iberia. The city was the capital of the Visigoths, who ruled the territory until the Muslim conquest of 711. It remained one of the most important cities of al-Andalus during the height of Muslim power. However, its surrender to Christian forces in 1085, when al-Andalus existed as an agglomeration of muluk al-tawa'if (petty kingdoms), was a fatal blow for the Muslims. Alarmed, the remaining leaders of the petty kingdoms consented to calling the Murabitun (Almoravids) from North Africa for assistance against the Christian powers in the north, thereby preserving a balance of power for another few centuries. During the 12th century, the Christian ruler Alfonso established a translation center in Toledo, where Arabic works of astronomy, mathematics, medicine, botany, and other fields were rendered into Latin. Toledo became one of the major points of intellectual transmission from Islamic civilization to Europe, sowing the seeds for its Renaissance.
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CORDOBA
Cordoba, located alongside the Guadalquivir River, is an ancient city that has existed at least since Roman times. After the Muslim conquest of Iberia in 711, the Umayyad amirs made Cordoba the capital of al-Andalus. By the 10th century, Cordoba had become one of the greatest cities in the world, thanks to the efforts of the powerful and wise caliph Abd al-Rahman III. Unrivaled throughout Europe, Cordoba boasted a population of close to one million inhabitants, with numerous districts and neighborhoods, hundreds of masjids, public baths, suqs (markets), mills, and palaces. Students, Muslim and non-Muslim, flocked to Cordoba for religious studies or to gain scientific knowledge available only in the lands of Islam. A few kilometers outside the city, the ruins of the Umayyad caliphal city, known as Madinat al-Zahra, can be seen. The caliphate crumbled amid economic and military pressures in the early 11th century, leading to the rise of smaller kingdoms whose rulers sought to emulate the opulence and glory of Cordoba.
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SEVILLA
Sevilla is located downstream from Córdoba along the Guadalquivir River, and served as the primary port of the Spanish empire during the New World conquests in the 16th century. After the Muslim conquest of Iberia in 711, Sevilla rose to prominence as an important center of art and learning. It’s fame and power grew in the 11th and 12th centuries in the aftermath of the downfall of the Cordoba caliphate, as it became a preeminent Taifa (petty kingdom or city-state). However, the increasing strength of Christian states to the north prompted an appeal to the Berber Almoravid dynasty, based in Marrakesh, to cross into Spain and help defend Al-Andalus. Another Berber dynasty known as the Almohads overthrew the Almoravids and made Sevilla the capital, as Cordoba was in ruins at this time. The Giralda tower, the minaret of the Great Mosque of Sevilla (now a massive Cathedral), was constructed by the Almohad caliph Abu Ya’qub Yusuf. The royal palace, known as the Alcazar, was appropriated by Christian conquerors in the 13th century, and elaborated in the Moorish style by artisans from Granada for King Pedro of Castile-Leon.
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COSTA DEL SOL
The Southern Spanish coast between the port cities of Algeciras and Malaga is known as “the Sun coast,” and is a summer holiday destination for Spaniards, many of whom enjoy a month-long summer vacation in August. Numerous beach towns dot the coast. Algeciras lies close to the famous mountain or rock of Gibraltar (Jabal Tariq), named after the Berber general Tariq ibn Ziyad, whose expeditionary force defeated the army of the Visigothic king Roderic in 711 CE. The city's name comes from "al-jazira al-khadra'," or the "green island," referring to the early Muslim view of the Iberian peninsula as a huge landmass surrounded entirely by water. The Moroccan coastline is visible from this region, and ferries cross the straits hourly between the two countries.
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GRANADA
Though people have lived in the vicinity of Gharnatah (Granada) since ancient times, it became a significant settlement during the 11th century, when al-Andalus was ruled by the muluk al-tawa'if (the "party kings"). Immigrants from the nearby city of Elvira populated Granada under the Banu Ziri, the Berber rulers of the city. In the 13th century, Christian rulers in the north of Spain united their efforts and marched on the Muslim cities of Sevilla and Cordoba, among others. They had been held in check by the Almoravids and Almohads during the 12th century, but these Berber dynasties slowly disintegrated. Muhammad Ibn Ahmar, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, established control in Granada and made a treaty with the Christian kings, ensuring the survival of the kingdom of Granada. Refugees from the former Muslim territories flocked to the last remaining Muslim kingdom on the peninsula. The Nasrids maintained Granada's precarious position until the end of the 15th century, when Isabella and Ferdinand decided to make war on Granada, conquering it in 1492. While many Muslims fled to North Africa, a significant number remained under Christian rule, initially under favorable terms. The Christian authorities and the Church became increasingly hostile to Muslims and Jews as Spain's national identity coalesced around a Catholic identity. In 1609, after a series of resistance movements led by Muslims during the 16th century were defeated, the Spanish crown pronounced an edict forcing Muslims to leave Spain or convert to Christianity. Many Muslim families emigrated to North Africa, where they maintained fond memories of the great civilization they had lost.
Learn MoreTour Pricing
Adult (age 18+)
- Each additional adult receives $100 discount ($2650/pp)
Additional Adult
- Select this option for each additional adult after selecting the first adult option.
Minors (age 8-7)
- Each additional minor receives $100 discount ($2250/pp)
Additional Minor
- Select this option after selecting the first minor option.
Adult Student and Partner Organization Rate
- Use the special code provided by your organization to get this rate!
Testimonials
This trip has been amazing. I wasn't so sure about what it would be like, but it is a great learning experience. It is wonderful that we can be together as Muslims, while experiencing different monuments and Islamic art all over Spain. My favorite activity was the night time horse carriage ride in Seville.
ZahabiyahChicago, IL A variety of settings for meals and conversations not only made for increased time getting to know new friends but allowed for individual food needs and styles to be accommodated. The scope of the tour was challenging but doable, and the spirit was wonderful. My expectations were fully met.
Paul M.Madison, WI All the arrangements, from the hotels, the private bus, the cities visited, the restaurants and food options, and the expert guided tours were excellent. It was a very educational and pleasant experience.
Abdul M.Los Angeles, CA I was very impressed with the tour leader's ability to tailor the experience to such a diverse tour group! My children, ages eight and nine, were thoroughly engaged and had a fantastic time (truly a feat for a study tour). The tour leader very aptly anticipated the needs and wishes of everyone in our group. Every day, our itinerary was clearly structured, yet allowed for adjustment as per each person's needs. Transitions between activities were near seamless. Transportation between locations was always comfortable and utilized to either offer some needed rest or very welcome education.
Sara D.Los Angeles, CA I have seen pictures of the Alhambra Palace while taking a Spanish language class in college. Ever since, I wanted to come and see Andalusia with my own eyes. I could feel the spirit of our forefathers as we go through the big masjid of Cordoba, and other Muslim remains. If one listens, he/she can hear Andalusia sing. It is a sad song that misses the hustle & bustle of Muslims, the adhan of the mueddhins from tall minarets, the recitations of the Qur'an and so much more. I am grateful to Allah (swt) that I got this opportunity to see all the memories of 700 years. I wish all Muslims could have a look at this rich heritage of ours!
HafizNew JerseyAbout
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