What is Arabia and who are the Arabs? A dream team of four writers considers these questions in the wonderful new book, “Arabia: In Search of the Golden Ages” (Earth Aware, 2010). Distinguished historian Michael Hamilton Morgan penned the book's core meditation on the mysteries of Arabia. He is the author of “Lost History: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers, and Artists” (2007). The Foreword to “Arabia” was written by Robert Lacey, a noted author of many books, including, “Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists, and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia” (2009; Paperback, 2010). Greg MacGillivray describes the making of his exquisite IMAX Theatre film, “Arabia 3D,” which is a close companion to this book. Finally, Prince Turki Al Faisal closes the book with inspiring words about diplomacy and global understanding. “Arabia” is a journey to the heart of a great civilization, which has shaped our world. Michael Hamilton Morgan is our principal guide on this fascinating voyage and he begins by noting the challenges we face: “Although America and the world are deeply influenced by Arabia – and our influence has deeply penetrated into this other culture as well – we rarely understand the breadth and depth of our interaction. Most of us outsiders barely know this land and its people, beyond the superficial present – headlines, oil prices, accusations of extremism.” Morgan looks beyond the headlines of today to the milestones of the past for a clear understanding of Arabia. What made Arabia great? What were its historical turning points? He cites two Golden Ages: the ancient Nabataean trading era, and the emergence of Islam in the seventh century. The Nabataeans disappeared, but the message of Islam fourteen hundred years ago changed the world forever. As Morgan writes, Arab Muslim civilization “was truly the world's most progressive intellectual and social force from the year 750 CE to about 1500.” However, the strange irony is that Arabia's second golden age “had more impact on the outside world than on Arabia itself.” Morgan states that Arab and Muslim contributions to science, mathematics, medicine and other fields have been marginalized, ignored or forgotten. But, his careful research in “Lost History” has helped to set the historical record straight. He also reminds us of the shifting sands of historical dominance. “What will historians find” he writes, “when they look at American civilization five hundred years from now? Will it still sit astride the world? Or will it be in eclipse?” Is a new golden age on the horizon for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? This is possible if it embraces the qualities that made Islamic civilization great: intellectual curiosity, passion for discovery, tolerance of other faiths and cultures, and openness to the world. “What is beyond doubt,” Morgan writes, “is that the Kingdom has made one of the most radical and rapid technological, cultural, and economic transformations in human history. That the result is still quite distinct from mainstream global secular culture should not obscure how far this country has come.” The Kingdom's rapid social, educational, and economic progress is not news to close observers. But, the challenge is to show it to a wider international audience. “Arabia” and “Arabia 3D” are stunning exhibits of Saudi pride and progress. Both will have a positive impact on curious audiences around the world. However, they are not substitutes for citizen diplomacy. We all need to be good ambassadors, according to Prince Turki Al Faisal. “Diplomacy,” he states, “is not just the province of leaders. Increasingly, it involves the everyday citizen….all of us must take up the task of learning from each other, and reaching out to each other across cultural and national borders.” – SG “Arabia: In Search of the Golden Ages,” by Michael Hamilton Morgan, (Earth Aware, 2010). Foreward by Robert Lacey; Introduction by Greg MacGillivray, and Afterword by Prince Turki Al
