10 Ottoman Myths Debunked with Dr Yakoob Ahmed

There is a growing interest in Ottoman history. This has come from a recognition that an understanding of our Islamic history is necessary to carve our common Islamic future. But then the question arises, who writes this history? How do we know whether Ottoman historians, East and West, are purveyors of an orientalist narrative, slanted to match political interests?

To untangle the facts from fiction, we have invited Dr Yakoob Ahmed who is an academic specialising in late Ottoman history. He is a PhD graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies and currently teaches Islamic history at Istanbul University. He is in the process of completing his first book on the late Ottoman ulema, to be published next year.

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The Thinking Muslim Podcast Episode 104

00:00 - Introduction
03:29 - Asking the Wrong Questions
06:00 - Western Assumptions
10:32 - Arab Nationalism
13:18 - Industrialisation
16:38 - Arab Narratives
24:32 - Decline of Ottomans
27:52 - The Printing Press!
33:50 - Literacy
37:20 - Coffee
43:00 - Persecution of Arabs
48:00 - Devshirme/Slavery
54:04 - Forced Conversion
55:30 - Decline
58:50 - Converting Non-Muslims
1:05:21 - Millet System
1:08:34 - A Real Caliphate?
1:13:24 - The Adab Culture
1:19:40 - Empire?
1:24:46 - Ottoman Golden Age?
1:31:00 - Alternative Questions
1:34:16 - WW1 & Ottoman Survival
1:39:48 - Missing Britain?