Anxiety in Muslim societies was felt as early as the 11th century. This anxiety, born out of a sense of instability, was fueled by the relative failure of Islamic unity, the struggle against the crusaders conquest of the holy lands, the ferocious and destructive invasions of the Mongols, and the Assassins’ terrorism. How did these different events spark a crisis for Muslim theology?
One of the more popular and progressive responses to this crisis was the development of Sufism. How did this spiritual movement end up in Asia Minor along with Turkish nomads from central Asia and how did their fusion lead to a major political and military conquering force?
Who is Rumi and who are the Mevlevi Dervishes?
Othman, the founder of the Ottoman dynasty was a recent descendant of the Turks, a nomadic tribe originating from Central Asia. How did these tribes end up in Asia minor and how did Othman manage to turn these foreigners into a major force to reckon with and that will eventually evolve into a mighty conquering empire?
