Encyclopedia Britannica

Fact: Encyclopedia Britannica was first published in 1768. The contributors often came from other countries and included some of the world's most respected authorities in their fields.

Western state sanctioned negationism or “politically motivated historical revisionism” on the subject of Islam started for the first time in Great Britain in the late 19^th century. The process was politically motivated with the goal of creating a good foundation for British-Muslim cooperation and trade.

During the Russo-Turkish War[3], Russia succeeded in defeating the Islamic Ottoman Empire. In 1878, after the “Congress of Berlin[4]”, Disraeli-Great Britain decided to strike a deal with the Ottomans promising to protect them militarily from Russia for “thirty pieces of silver” which in this case was Cyprus. In order to improve British-Ottoman relationships it was decided to introduce a wide scale revision of Encyclopedia Britannica (10^th edition and onward) and other source materials which up to then had described Islam, Muslims and Islamic practices as “evil”. This was the beginning of the official European historical falsification process.

To understand this we need to study British-Russian relations:

The super power of the 19th century, Great Britain, waged a "territorial war" with the other potential super power: Russia. Where interests of the two crossed was - Balkans (then under Turkish occupation).

It would be most natural that Russia should have the influence in the area. Most of the subdued Balkan nations (Serbs, Greeks, Rumanians, and Bulgarians) are Eastern Orthodox - like Russians. That did not fit British interests. That is how Britain allied itself with Turkey and invented the myth of the Muslim tolerance.

When Turks cut throats, raped women and stole children of Balkan Christians - it was OK for the Brits - it was an expression of tolerance... As long as Russians did not get influence in the Balkans.

Examples of falsification and apologist rhetoric include:

· Exaggerated claims of Muslim cultural and scientific contributions.

· The Ottoman Empire was tolerant.

· The, “Jewish experience” in the Ottoman Empire “...was a calm, peaceful, and a fruitful one..”.

· Balkan Christian boys could acquire great social advancement through “recruitment” into the Ottoman devshirme system.

· The Armenian Genocide never happened. It was rather a struggle between two peoples for the possession of a single homeland.

· Muslim Andalusia (Moorish Spain) is often pointed out by Muslim apologists as a kind of multicultural wonderland, in which Jews and Christians were permitted by the Islamic government to rise through the ranks of learning and government administration.

· Jihad means personal struggle

· Islam is a religion of peace

· Christianity and Islam are equal in terms of historic atrocities

· Maronite Christians (Lebanese Christians) falsely claim to be victims.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1040