Many people may be astonished to know that Belgrade was once an Islamic city. It was considered the "Andalus" of the Balkans, in terms of culture and education. Here, the tragedy culminates - an old "Andalus," which we lost years ago, created a new "Andalus" on the map of our contemporary world. Dr. Mohamed Mufako conducted a study of Islamic Belgrade to fill a big gap in this respect.

Geographical site and its characteristics

According to Dr. Mufako, the Belgrade site was very important. It was considered the Balkans' gate that controlled a vital network of communications between the West, the Balkans and the East.

As a result of this importance, the ambitious emerging superpowers started to vie for control. Whether it was during the era of the Roman Empire or Byzantine times there was a struggle to gain control. Owing to this continuous conflict, the transference of control over this site from one power to another, and the desire of each power to boost its existence by eliminating the others, there was no stability, which was necessary for developing and flourishing this site to create a city in the full sense of the word.

The importance of the Belgrade site appeared during the 15th century when war was in full swing between the Ottoman Empire and Hungary, which revived a new spirit of the Crusades in Europe, something that developed into a war between Islam and Christianity. During this century, Belgrade was the border stronghold of Hungary, which turned into "the fortress of Christianity," and became a symbol that meant a lot to Europe either in its steadfastness or fall.

Conquered in Ramadan

During the early years of the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire gained control of the Balkans. Nothing remained before it except Belgrade - "the key of Hungary" - in its continuing conquests outside the Balkans to Central Europe. The effort to conquer Belgrade came during the era of Sultan Suleiman, the Law Giver, (1520-1566).

According to Olya Shalaby, a traveler during the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Suleiman was well educated, aware of history and the world conditions, since he was a crown prince. He wished: "If God grants me the government, I will send my army to Belgrade." A year after taking power, Sultan Suleiman led a big army to conquer Belgrade, which he reached mid July 1521.

He began bombarding the Belgrade fortress late July and continued throughout August. During the bombardment, the Ottoman army made its first attack on August 2-3, and then its second one on August 8. This latter attack lasted from day to night and ended with them conquering the lower part of the fortified city after the inhabitants of this part had retreated to the higher one. The inhabitants had been allowed to enter the higher part of the city by the military commander, though he initially objected because of a lack of provisions. The Ottomans maintained their siege of the fortress in August, corresponding with Ramadan (the Muslims' fasting month) till it surrendered on Ramadan 26 (August 1521).

On the incidents of this day, the author of "Diaries on Sultan Suleiman's Campaign on Belgrade" said: "With the help of God, the Belgrade fortress was conquered, and the Mu'azen (caller for prayers) voiced the Azan (prayer call) from the fortress." The following day was Friday, Ramadan 27 (a day that is highly appreciated by the Muslims in Ramadan, as it is thought that the Holy Qur'an was revealed on this particular day). Thus, these two great occasions corresponded with one another. Sultan Suleiman selected this day to enter Belgrade amid great celebrations.

The city develops

The great importance of the Belgrade site became clear following its fall into the hands of the Ottomans. The fortress of Christianity turned into a jihad house, from which the Ottomans continued their infiltration into Europe till they reached Vienna's fences in 1529. During the long Ottoman rule of this city 1521-1867, and especially during the first periods of their government 1521-1689, the city enjoyed stability. Belgrade turned from being a fortress into one of the biggest cities in Eastern Europe. In fact, outside the fortress, a new city was built and flourished as an example of the Islamic city. It constituted a cultural advanced example with regard to Central Europe.

Despite such flourish, which was accompanied by the development of other cities in the Balkans under the Ottoman rule, a war was launched to regain the city and gradually get rid of Belgrade as an Islamic oriental cultural example in Europe. Nowadays, Belgrade seems to be a modern European city that has nothing to do with its former cultural legacy. Thus, Belgrade became another "Andalus" that created the tragedy of a new "Andalus" in the Islamic World - the tragedy of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cultural landmarks in Belgrade

It can be said that Belgrade, thanks to its cultural establishments, was an example of the Islamic city. These establishments included mosques, whose number reached 217. This figure indicated the identity of the city and how vast it was at that time.

These unique establishments also included the houses of Qur'an and schools, whose education matched that offered by Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire at the time. Owing to the flourishing of mosques, canals were dug to provide clean water for ablution at mosques and washing at public and home bathrooms. Thus, attention was paid to find water sources for the city suburbs and dig underground canals to supply mosques, bathrooms and houses in Belgrade with water. Belgrade, unlike other European cities at the time, was characterized by a network of fresh water.

Clock towers

It was important for Muslims to know the exact time in order to perform prayers on time. Therefore, the Ottomans paid heed to the building of clock towers, known as sat kula, in the cities that were under their sovereignty. These kula took the shape of giant and beautiful towers, on the top of each of which was a clock, announcing the exact time via beats heard throughout the city and its districts. Regarding Belgrade, the first tower of its kind was built in 1537.

According to Olya Shalaby, the clock tower was built on the higher part of the fortress and its beats were heard a day's walk from the city.

Finally

We are in dire need of searching accurately into these unknown pages of our history and civilization, so that we may be fully aware of our legacy and contribute to re-building our Muslim Nation.

http://www.onislam.net/english/culture-and-entertainment/history/426127....

http://300035.dotdothktrade.tech/en/artical/3408713/Islamic-Belgrade