Open letter to the young Indonesian lady raising her fist in the picture.

After checking this headline and the picture, “one hundred thousand Muslims ask in Yakarta for one Islamic Califato under the sharia, including Spain”, I would like to tell you something, yes to you!!, the young lady with glasses raising her fist and shouting probably "Allahu akbar and Califato, Califato!!!".

I am not an expert in History at all, but I would like to tell you some things, that in my humble opinion should be point out. First of all, you are right, Al-Andalus (which is not exaclty the same as the current Spain), was ruled of by different Arab-Muslim dinasties during aproximately 8 centuries. During these period wars and invasions, were extremely habitual, and used by the Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, or Christians (during the crusades), to defend and spread their empires beyond their frontiers.

But there were several reasons that have nothing to do with armies or wars, which made the Al-Andalus civilization specially powerful and relevant. The intelligence of many of their qalifas, to adapt their administration systems, mental squemes (Islam is extremely wide), to the cultures and conditions of the new territories under their power, their flexibility and open mind for taking advantage of other cultures achievements, their commitment in improving previous achievements by developing their rich background in fields like Maths, Chemistry, Astronomy, Arquitecture, Poetry, Philosophy, Agriculture, Medicine, etc. Islam was not an obstacule for this progress, but the main reason and inspiration to get it. (Of course during these 800 years Al Andalus faced ups and downs concerning their tolerance towards new ideas and progress). The trade was another key and source of wealth, and the best sample of the exchange of cultures, commodities, commercial strategies, cultures, knowledge, etc.. Most of eastern Africa countries, India, Indonesia, Malasia, even China were part of the commercial routes. It is funny to realize that the figures used nowadays by the Arabs are originally Indian, and the ones we use in the Western countries were taken from the Arabs!! .

In fact, under the Al-Andalus time the Christians were allow to stay in their homeland only by paying taxes to the new Muslim rulers. They didn't need to change their religion.

I mention Averroes Maimonides, Abulcasis and Azarquiel as four examples in Al Andalus, showing how is possible, firstly studying and assimilating carefully the teachings provided by the classic cultures in Philosophy, Medicine, Maths, etc., and then incorporating new elements in these subjets, which finally implied improvements, still valid nowadays, by the way.

So, at this point, I am willing to tell you that, of course I agree in any kind of coalition between Muslim, Catholics, Hindus, Protestant, Laicist people in order to strenghen forzes, and work together to look for new formules, which enabled to take better advantage of the achievements in fields like Sciences, Medicine, etc. Specially if by doing that we improve the life standards of the the world population.

Besides, I willl like to tell you that you shouldn't take only one part of the history (let's say 800 years from 680 up to 1492 A.C.) and ignore more than 1.200 A.C., corresponding to the 680 years before the Muslims arrived to Spain, and more than 500 after they lose the power (let's forget the years before Christ).

At the same time, I have a question: could you justify nowadays the right of colonial nations like Spain, Portugal, France, England to claim for the sovereignty of North, Central or South America or Far East countries, where they stayed for more than 300 years?. If the answer is no, you can't either justify that a country of 43 million of people will take part of the Islamic Califato with 1.080.000 Muslims out of a total of 43 millon Spanish. Please, note that me, as a new Muslim, I totally disagree with this idea, (as probably most of the Muslims in Spain).

And last but no the least dear friend, please raise your fist, with your collegues as much as you need, but for fighting for your real desires, hopes, rights. And make sure that you are not being manipulated by economic powers and political lobbies to achieve their goals. Or the governments themselves, which try to put a "smoke column" on the real problems of their citizens. (It wouldn't be the first time this happens). Since the "New War Against Terrorism" was launched by Bush Administration, some privileged corporations and public officers had got lots of money, as a consequence of the huge increase of the military budgets in the United States and other countries. Some Arabs participate also in this dirty game, because they get a HUGE benefit out of it, as well. They take advantage of the mixture of ignorance and fanaticism, to get their goals. Don't make them this easier, please!!!!.

I heard about the murder of probably 500 people in Northern Irak belonging to a pre-Islamic belief (this is just everyday routine, you know). But I can assure you that I am not afraid of the terrorism itself, but of the manipulation and brain washing procedures that are nowadays taking place in our world. It is extremely easy to spread half trues or lies nowadays if you have enough economic resources, taking advantage of ignorance, or the logic feeling of hate and revenge that so many unecessary and cruel wars are creating world-wide. However, education, knowledge, tolerance, and open minded views are extremely hard enemies for the aims of these nasty people and interests, I mentioned before. Please, try to think on your own, and help others to do the same!!!.

I finish this letter trying to upload a short video of Alkhambra'a Palace built in Granada in diffent phases during Al-Andalus time. The fonts, the Nazary palace, the gardens, the lions courtyard, the water flowing and talking everywhere, its mistery, belong to the Indonesian, and Malayan people I share all this beauty with, few days ago. But also belong to the Spanish, Christian, Muslims, Protestants, or Budist, who dream with AlKhambra'a so many nights, even if they didn't have the chance to enjoy it in person... Belongs to the Gypsies who sing in Albaicín district in front of her, IN THE VIDEO. To anyone who keep echanted by her charms...

Salam aleikum. Kind regars.

Juan.