Morocco's victories in Qatar bring home a rich history Europe denies Africa. In 711, North African Moslem forces crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco & captured huge chunks of Spain & Portugal - the Iberian peninsula. "Their eyes shone like burning candles, their horses were as swift as leopards & their riders fiercer than the wolf in a sheepfold", recalls one Eurocentric historian.
North Africa did conquer Spain & Portugal under the command of one Tariq ibn-Ziyad, from Morocco. Our history books mute & footnote this conquest. Instead, we are made to memorize Alexander the Great, Julius Ceaser, Napoleon Bonaparte & Charlemagne. Rarely cited is the progress North Africa visited on Europe in terms of education, mosques, libraries & universities. Historian Basil Davidson chronicles it thus: "there were no lands that time more admired by its neighbours or more comfortable to live in than the rich African civilization that took shape in Spain".........
Fast forward: the semi-final between Morocco & France today may bring history home. In 732, North African forces attempted to extend their occupation of Western Europe. At the Battle of Tours, they were to come face to face - mundu khumundu with the fierce Frankish soldiers led by Charles Martel. The North Africans pulled back, to fight another day. Will this history repeat at the World Cup in Qatar? We hope not.
North Africa did conquer Spain & Portugal under the command of one Tariq ibn-Ziyad, from Morocco. Our history books mute & footnote this conquest. Instead, we are made to memorize Alexander the Great, Julius Ceaser, Napoleon Bonaparte & Charlemagne. Rarely cited is the progress North Africa visited on Europe in terms of education, mosques, libraries & universities. Historian Basil Davidson chronicles it thus: "there were no lands that time more admired by its neighbours or more comfortable to live in than the rich African civilization that took shape in Spain".........
Fast forward: the semi-final between Morocco & France today may bring history home. In 732, North African forces attempted to extend their occupation of Western Europe. At the Battle of Tours, they were to come face to face - mundu khumundu with the fierce Frankish soldiers led by Charles Martel. The North Africans pulled back, to fight another day. Will this history repeat at the World Cup in Qatar? We hope not.
