History of Iraq 6 – the Abbassids (750-1258 A.D.)

In 750 A.D. the torch of Arab-Islamic civilisation passed from the hands of the Syrian Ommayads to those of the Abbassids, who, in taking over the Caliphate, enriched both the Islamic and other civilisations during their reign.

Many great cities had been founded by earlier peoples, and under the first Caliphs, cities such as Basra, Kufah and Wasit were founded. It was under the second Caliph Abu Jafar Al-Mansur that Baghdad was founded to become the capital of his empire and a beacon of learning to all mankind.

During his reign, Baghdad, whose other name was Dar-es-Salaam (city of peace), became a magnet for men of science, literature and art from all over the world. It was during the Caliphates of Haroun al-Rashid and his son AI-Mamun that Iraq reached the highest point in what was truly a golden age.

The empire consolidated its boundaries and strenghtened its administration, wealth and prosperity spread throughout the land. The renown of the Caliphate became synonymous with the name of the capital (another name was capital of Al-Rashid), and was known all over the world. international relationships were developed, and it should be noted that Al-Rashid was contemporary with Charlemagne with whom he had strong ties of friendship. His son, Al-Mamun was a scholar in his own right, with a true scholars breadth of understanding so that even serious arguments on religious questions could take place in his presence.

But mankind’s greatest debt to him is for his act of bringing to Baghdad translators from every country in the world to translate into Arabic the most important academic works on all subjects from their own countries. As payment he gave the equivalent weight in gold of each translators’ book-which led some to choose the thickest parchment for their manuscript. Knowing this ruse, AI-Mamun nevertheless paid this weight if he considered that it was worth it. Other scholars and authors were rewarded with even greater generosity. As a result of this immense effort, the Arab language became the repository of man’s cultural heritage, and for this alone the name of Al-Mamun remains immortal.

Town-planning, trade and agriculture made enormous progress during this period in Mesopotamia.

This beacon of civilisation was extinguished on February 20th, 1258 when Helagu, grandson of Genghis Khan, captured Baghdad at the head of his Tartars, and indulged in an unprecedented orgy of brutality.

It is said that the waters of the Tigris first ran red with blood from the corpses, and then black from the ink of the books thrown into it. Thus was one of the most enlightened of civilisations destroyed, and for long afterwards, Mesopotamia was plunged into the dark ages of ignorance, poverty and corruption.

The Ottoman domination, which lasted until the end of the first World War; began during the 16th century. After the fall of the Ottoman empire, Great Britain was given a mandate to govern Iraq. In fact, this was only a pretext for the continuation of foreign rule and a means for exploiting the wealth of the country for the benefit of the colonialists.

The situation did not change at the end of the British mandate, when Iraq became independent and a member of the League of Nations.

Her independence was only in name,-a situation which was recognized as such by the population and led them to decide upon open warfare. During the course of the struggle against imperialism and its lackeys, the Iraqi people were called upon to make heavy sacrifices and to see many of their best fall on the road which leads to liberty.

The country overcame all attempts to subdue it, resisted moves to isolate it, and continued to fight against foreign domination and oppression, thus furthering cause of the Arab nation.