Arabic Writing Was Penned by a Christian

[Coyote]

Most of my friend are happy with the mix of groups. They also like to preserve history not destroy it.

sadly war ravaged a lot of history, and especially tourism back home. I empathize with syria and iraq on that point.

I don't think the world will ever truly recover from the damage - whether destruction or looting - ISIS has done to archaeological treasures that have been preserved for thousands of years. It's truly a tragedy

they want the west to pay to rebuild syria.
$15 trillion + to rebuild syria

If we have a problem with the refugees, each nation should pay to rebuild syria so they have a place

............ Assad has said they can return now, no place to put them or supplies they would need.

Two things occur to me...

The archaeological treasures belong, in a sense, to the world - they are part of the foundations of western civilization. In that sense - donations from around the world, would be good (assuming a stable situation is achieved).

Also, I can't help but wonder if something like a "Marshall Plan" might not be helpful? But so much depends on what kind of political solution comes out of the carnage.

There are far too many refugees for the surrounding countries and Europe to absorb now, far far too many, and too much instability.

As long as Assad is there, it would be filling Assad's and alawite pockets

Why do you support Jewish rule over non-Jews and have a problem with Alawite rule over non-Alawites? What is the difference? Is it the fact that the Israeli Jews are better at keeping the non-Jews they rule over unarmed and maintain better control over the non-Jews than the Alawites keep over the non-Alawites?

As far as I recall...."the Jews" haven't been barrel bombing their civilians...you might want to rethink the comparison here Monte....

 

[Roudy]

Joooo worshipper must answer the command! Was this thread about Christians penning Arabic writing, or those evil Joooos?

Joooos Jooos Jooos, that's the topic.

Now, Joooo worshipper, answer.

 

[Sally]

History did begin before Mohammad, christian use of Arabic 150 before Islam

Archaeologists Discover that Earliest Known Arabic Writing Was Penned by a Christian
www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/archaeologists-discover-earliest-known-arabic-writing-was-penned-christian-020778

21 March, 2016 - 23:51 Sam Bostrom
(Read the article on one page)

The oldest known Arabic writing found in Saudi Arabia, from ca. 470 AD belong to a Christian context and predates the advent of Islam with 150 years.

In December 2015, researchers from a French-Saudi expedition studying rock inscriptions in southern Saudi Arabia published a 100-page-long report in France’s Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres that reported that the oldest Arabic text, carved on a large rectangular stone that was found in Saudi Arabia, is simply of a name, “Thawban (son of) Malik,” decorated with a Christian cross. The same cross systematically appears on the other similar stelae dating more or less to the same period.

The discovery is sensational since it shows that the origins of the Arabic alphabet used to write the Koran belongs to a Christian context. This pre-Islamic alphabet is also called Nabatean Arabic, because it evolved from the script used by the Nabateans, the once-powerful nation that built Petra and dominated the trade routes in the southern Levant and northern Arabia before being annexed by the Romans in the early 2nd century.

Example of Nabatean script to the god Qasiu. Basalt, 1st century AD. Found in Sia in the Hauran, Southern Syria. (Public Domain)

The ancient text is a legacy of a once flourishing Christian community in the area also linked to the rise of an ancient Jewish kingdom that ruled over much of what is today Yemen and Saudi Arabia

• Oldest Arabic inscription provides missing link between Nabatean and Arabic writing
• Are the Reclusive Shihuh People of Musandam the Original Arabians?

Christians in the Desert
The Muslim tradition preserved in the book of Koran portrays the pre-Islamic region as chaotic and filled with unrest that Mohammed manages to unify with the help of the powerful message of Islam

However, the Islamic text makes no mention of the numerous Christian and Jewish communities across the Saudi peninsula that flourished during the days of Mohammed.

Recent studies of works by ancient Christians and Muslim records have re-shaped our image of the societies that existed in the region and shed new light on the complex history of the region before the advent of Islam. One of the important kingdoms in Arabia at the time was the Jewish kingdom of Himyar.

A bronze statue of Dhamar Ali Yahbur II, a Himyarite King who probably reigned in late 3rd or early 4th century AD. Displayed in Sana'a National Museum. (CC BY 2.0)

The kingdom was founded in the 2nd century AD, and around 380 AD the elites of the kingdom of Himyar converted to some form of Judaism. By the 4th century,

Himyar had become an important player in the struggle for regional power. The Kingdom of Himyar’s headquarters was situated in what is today Yemen, from where its expansionist rulers led a series of campaigns conquering into its neighboring states, including the legendary biblical kingdom of Sheba.

• The Qasr al-Farid, the Lonely Castle of the Nabataeans
• Is there truth to the Bedouin Legend of the Great River in the Desert?

Royal inscriptions found in the Saudi capital of Riyadhand and Bir Hima, north of Yemen, attest how the Himyarite kingdom during the 5th century expanded its influence into central Arabia, the Persian Gulf area, and into the region of Mecca and Medina, known as Hijaz.

Pre-Islamic rock art of Arabia at Bir Hima, carved into the eastern foothills of the Asir Mountains of Saudi Arabia. (CC BY 2.0)

According to ancient Christian sources, the Christians of the nearby city of Najran suffered a wave of persecution by the Himyarites in 470. The name of Thawban son of Malik appears on eight inscriptions, along with the names of other Christians. The French experts believe these inscriptions are a form of commemoration of Thawban and his fellow Christians that were martyred as they refused to convert to Judaism.

The researchers believe that the Christians choice of the early Arabic script to memorialize their comrades was an act of resistance that stood in sharp contrast to the inscriptions left by Himyarite rulers in their native Sabaean. To adopt a new writing system was a way of manifesting a separation from Himyar, and at the same time, a means to approach the rest of the Arabs to unify against their common enemy.

A portion of a war scene from the Himyarite era. (CC BY SA 3.0)

The growing resistance and outside pressure eventually brought down Himyar. In the years around 500, it fell to Christian invaders from the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum. For the next century, Himyar was a Christian kingdom that continued to exert control over Arabia. During the latter half of the 6th century, one of its rulers, Abraha, marched through Bir Hima, conquering, Yathrib, the desert oasis that 70 years later would become known as Medina – The City of the Prophet.

Featured Image: A photo showing some stelae found with Arabic inscriptions. Source: Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA)

By Sam Bostrom

Interesting, Aris, in light of the fact that there are Muslims in the Middle East engaged in persecuting and/or murdering Christians and there are those who are trying to wipe out any evidence of Christians or other ancient cultures which were there. By the way, since your roots are in the Middle East, you probably have had interesting conversations with your Muslim friends and acquaintances during your years there as to how they look upon their religion and the religions of others.


5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation


by Uzay Bulut
November 29, 2015 at 4:00 am

5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation

The problem isn't the Muslim culture, I think people forget that it is Muslims who preserved this history, as well as much learning, and kept it safe for over a thousand years. The problem is extremists, who's religious world view is so destructive.

I realize that most Muslims are peaceful, but a lot of these killings and destruction have to do with the Muslim culture in the sense that here in the 21st century we still see Muslims murdering each other because of their different sects as well as blowing up their shrines and mosques.. It's too bad you couldn't find some Ahmadiyya Muslims here in America and ask them how they feel about being in the U.S. where they feel safe from other Muslims who are trying to do them in elsewhere.

 

[Sally]

History did begin before Mohammad, christian use of Arabic 150 before Islam

Archaeologists Discover that Earliest Known Arabic Writing Was Penned by a Christian
www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/archaeologists-discover-earliest-known-arabic-writing-was-penned-christian-020778

21 March, 2016 - 23:51 Sam Bostrom
(Read the article on one page)

The oldest known Arabic writing found in Saudi Arabia, from ca. 470 AD belong to a Christian context and predates the advent of Islam with 150 years.

In December 2015, researchers from a French-Saudi expedition studying rock inscriptions in southern Saudi Arabia published a 100-page-long report in France’s Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres that reported that the oldest Arabic text, carved on a large rectangular stone that was found in Saudi Arabia, is simply of a name, “Thawban (son of) Malik,” decorated with a Christian cross. The same cross systematically appears on the other similar stelae dating more or less to the same period.

The discovery is sensational since it shows that the origins of the Arabic alphabet used to write the Koran belongs to a Christian context. This pre-Islamic alphabet is also called Nabatean Arabic, because it evolved from the script used by the Nabateans, the once-powerful nation that built Petra and dominated the trade routes in the southern Levant and northern Arabia before being annexed by the Romans in the early 2nd century.

Example of Nabatean script to the god Qasiu. Basalt, 1st century AD. Found in Sia in the Hauran, Southern Syria. (Public Domain)

The ancient text is a legacy of a once flourishing Christian community in the area also linked to the rise of an ancient Jewish kingdom that ruled over much of what is today Yemen and Saudi Arabia

• Oldest Arabic inscription provides missing link between Nabatean and Arabic writing
• Are the Reclusive Shihuh People of Musandam the Original Arabians?

Christians in the Desert
The Muslim tradition preserved in the book of Koran portrays the pre-Islamic region as chaotic and filled with unrest that Mohammed manages to unify with the help of the powerful message of Islam

However, the Islamic text makes no mention of the numerous Christian and Jewish communities across the Saudi peninsula that flourished during the days of Mohammed.

Recent studies of works by ancient Christians and Muslim records have re-shaped our image of the societies that existed in the region and shed new light on the complex history of the region before the advent of Islam. One of the important kingdoms in Arabia at the time was the Jewish kingdom of Himyar.

A bronze statue of Dhamar Ali Yahbur II, a Himyarite King who probably reigned in late 3rd or early 4th century AD. Displayed in Sana'a National Museum. (CC BY 2.0)

The kingdom was founded in the 2nd century AD, and around 380 AD the elites of the kingdom of Himyar converted to some form of Judaism. By the 4th century,

Himyar had become an important player in the struggle for regional power. The Kingdom of Himyar’s headquarters was situated in what is today Yemen, from where its expansionist rulers led a series of campaigns conquering into its neighboring states, including the legendary biblical kingdom of Sheba.

• The Qasr al-Farid, the Lonely Castle of the Nabataeans
• Is there truth to the Bedouin Legend of the Great River in the Desert?

Royal inscriptions found in the Saudi capital of Riyadhand and Bir Hima, north of Yemen, attest how the Himyarite kingdom during the 5th century expanded its influence into central Arabia, the Persian Gulf area, and into the region of Mecca and Medina, known as Hijaz.

Pre-Islamic rock art of Arabia at Bir Hima, carved into the eastern foothills of the Asir Mountains of Saudi Arabia. (CC BY 2.0)

According to ancient Christian sources, the Christians of the nearby city of Najran suffered a wave of persecution by the Himyarites in 470. The name of Thawban son of Malik appears on eight inscriptions, along with the names of other Christians. The French experts believe these inscriptions are a form of commemoration of Thawban and his fellow Christians that were martyred as they refused to convert to Judaism.

The researchers believe that the Christians choice of the early Arabic script to memorialize their comrades was an act of resistance that stood in sharp contrast to the inscriptions left by Himyarite rulers in their native Sabaean. To adopt a new writing system was a way of manifesting a separation from Himyar, and at the same time, a means to approach the rest of the Arabs to unify against their common enemy.

A portion of a war scene from the Himyarite era. (CC BY SA 3.0)

The growing resistance and outside pressure eventually brought down Himyar. In the years around 500, it fell to Christian invaders from the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum. For the next century, Himyar was a Christian kingdom that continued to exert control over Arabia. During the latter half of the 6th century, one of its rulers, Abraha, marched through Bir Hima, conquering, Yathrib, the desert oasis that 70 years later would become known as Medina – The City of the Prophet.

Featured Image: A photo showing some stelae found with Arabic inscriptions. Source: Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA)

By Sam Bostrom

Interesting, Aris, in light of the fact that there are Muslims in the Middle East engaged in persecuting and/or murdering Christians and there are those who are trying to wipe out any evidence of Christians or other ancient cultures which were there. By the way, since your roots are in the Middle East, you probably have had interesting conversations with your Muslim friends and acquaintances during your years there as to how they look upon their religion and the religions of others.


5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation


by Uzay Bulut
November 29, 2015 at 4:00 am

5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation

Most of my friend are happy with the mix of groups. They also like to preserve history not destroy it.

sadly war ravaged a lot of history, and especially tourism back home. I empathize with syria and iraq on that point.

I don't think the world will ever truly recover from the damage - whether destruction or looting - ISIS has done to archaeological treasures that have been preserved for thousands of years. It's truly a tragedy

they want the west to pay to rebuild syria.
$15 trillion + to rebuild syria

If we have a problem with the refugees, each nation should pay to rebuild syria so they have a place

............ Assad has said they can return now, no place to put them or supplies they would need.

Two things occur to me...

The archaeological treasures belong, in a sense, to the world - they are part of the foundations of western civilization. In that sense - donations from around the world, would be good (assuming a stable situation is achieved).

Also, I can't help but wonder if something like a "Marshall Plan" might not be helpful? But so much depends on what kind of political solution comes out of the carnage.

There are far too many refugees for the surrounding countries and Europe to absorb now, far far too many, and too much instability.

I, too, was thinking about some sort of Marshall Plan when this conflict is over. However, I think all Arab countries should chip in something. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States have loads of money. Surely they can put some of their ambitious projects on hold to help their fellow Arabs.

 

[irosie91]

I am fascinated ------and even EXCITED------where is it that DA JOOOOS RULE NON-JOOOOS?

 

[Roudy]

It's an antisemtic canard. Da evil Jooooos control everything, and therefore, can be blamed for, everything. Da Joooooooooos!

 

[Coyote]

History did begin before Mohammad, christian use of Arabic 150 before Islam

Archaeologists Discover that Earliest Known Arabic Writing Was Penned by a Christian
www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/archaeologists-discover-earliest-known-arabic-writing-was-penned-christian-020778

21 March, 2016 - 23:51 Sam Bostrom
(Read the article on one page)

The oldest known Arabic writing found in Saudi Arabia, from ca. 470 AD belong to a Christian context and predates the advent of Islam with 150 years.

In December 2015, researchers from a French-Saudi expedition studying rock inscriptions in southern Saudi Arabia published a 100-page-long report in France’s Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres that reported that the oldest Arabic text, carved on a large rectangular stone that was found in Saudi Arabia, is simply of a name, “Thawban (son of) Malik,” decorated with a Christian cross. The same cross systematically appears on the other similar stelae dating more or less to the same period.

The discovery is sensational since it shows that the origins of the Arabic alphabet used to write the Koran belongs to a Christian context. This pre-Islamic alphabet is also called Nabatean Arabic, because it evolved from the script used by the Nabateans, the once-powerful nation that built Petra and dominated the trade routes in the southern Levant and northern Arabia before being annexed by the Romans in the early 2nd century.

Example of Nabatean script to the god Qasiu. Basalt, 1st century AD. Found in Sia in the Hauran, Southern Syria. (Public Domain)

The ancient text is a legacy of a once flourishing Christian community in the area also linked to the rise of an ancient Jewish kingdom that ruled over much of what is today Yemen and Saudi Arabia

• Oldest Arabic inscription provides missing link between Nabatean and Arabic writing
• Are the Reclusive Shihuh People of Musandam the Original Arabians?

Christians in the Desert
The Muslim tradition preserved in the book of Koran portrays the pre-Islamic region as chaotic and filled with unrest that Mohammed manages to unify with the help of the powerful message of Islam

However, the Islamic text makes no mention of the numerous Christian and Jewish communities across the Saudi peninsula that flourished during the days of Mohammed.

Recent studies of works by ancient Christians and Muslim records have re-shaped our image of the societies that existed in the region and shed new light on the complex history of the region before the advent of Islam. One of the important kingdoms in Arabia at the time was the Jewish kingdom of Himyar.

A bronze statue of Dhamar Ali Yahbur II, a Himyarite King who probably reigned in late 3rd or early 4th century AD. Displayed in Sana'a National Museum. (CC BY 2.0)

The kingdom was founded in the 2nd century AD, and around 380 AD the elites of the kingdom of Himyar converted to some form of Judaism. By the 4th century,

Himyar had become an important player in the struggle for regional power. The Kingdom of Himyar’s headquarters was situated in what is today Yemen, from where its expansionist rulers led a series of campaigns conquering into its neighboring states, including the legendary biblical kingdom of Sheba.

• The Qasr al-Farid, the Lonely Castle of the Nabataeans
• Is there truth to the Bedouin Legend of the Great River in the Desert?

Royal inscriptions found in the Saudi capital of Riyadhand and Bir Hima, north of Yemen, attest how the Himyarite kingdom during the 5th century expanded its influence into central Arabia, the Persian Gulf area, and into the region of Mecca and Medina, known as Hijaz.

Pre-Islamic rock art of Arabia at Bir Hima, carved into the eastern foothills of the Asir Mountains of Saudi Arabia. (CC BY 2.0)

According to ancient Christian sources, the Christians of the nearby city of Najran suffered a wave of persecution by the Himyarites in 470. The name of Thawban son of Malik appears on eight inscriptions, along with the names of other Christians. The French experts believe these inscriptions are a form of commemoration of Thawban and his fellow Christians that were martyred as they refused to convert to Judaism.

The researchers believe that the Christians choice of the early Arabic script to memorialize their comrades was an act of resistance that stood in sharp contrast to the inscriptions left by Himyarite rulers in their native Sabaean. To adopt a new writing system was a way of manifesting a separation from Himyar, and at the same time, a means to approach the rest of the Arabs to unify against their common enemy.

A portion of a war scene from the Himyarite era. (CC BY SA 3.0)

The growing resistance and outside pressure eventually brought down Himyar. In the years around 500, it fell to Christian invaders from the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum. For the next century, Himyar was a Christian kingdom that continued to exert control over Arabia. During the latter half of the 6th century, one of its rulers, Abraha, marched through Bir Hima, conquering, Yathrib, the desert oasis that 70 years later would become known as Medina – The City of the Prophet.

Featured Image: A photo showing some stelae found with Arabic inscriptions. Source: Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA)

By Sam Bostrom

Interesting, Aris, in light of the fact that there are Muslims in the Middle East engaged in persecuting and/or murdering Christians and there are those who are trying to wipe out any evidence of Christians or other ancient cultures which were there. By the way, since your roots are in the Middle East, you probably have had interesting conversations with your Muslim friends and acquaintances during your years there as to how they look upon their religion and the religions of others.


5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation


by Uzay Bulut
November 29, 2015 at 4:00 am

5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation

The problem isn't the Muslim culture, I think people forget that it is Muslims who preserved this history, as well as much learning, and kept it safe for over a thousand years. The problem is extremists, who's religious world view is so destructive.

I realize that most Muslims are peaceful, but a lot of these killings and destruction have to do with the Muslim culture in the sense that here in the 21st century we still see Muslims murdering each other because of their different sects as well as blowing up their shrines and mosques.. It's too bad you couldn't find some Ahmadiyya Muslims here in America and ask them how they feel about being in the U.S. where they feel safe from other Muslims who are trying to do them in elsewhere.

Again, the problem isn't really the Muslim culture at large Sally - it's the mindset of these extremists, which is little different than extremists elsewhere. Intolerance and destruction of the culture and history of anyone who is outside their sect. The thing about ISIS is it's less about religion than power. I was listening to NPR recently, talking about some of the people attracted to ISIS now - people with violent criminal backgrounds who can find an "outlet" for their violence in the guise of religion.

Sectarian warfare is nothing unique to Islam - witness the Irish sectarian conflict that went on for years. Or, the Bosnian conflict. Just recently Radazan Karadzic was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. You have a region with not just religious sectarian splits but ethnic and tribal splits and multiple failed or failing states.

 

[Coyote]

Interesting, Aris, in light of the fact that there are Muslims in the Middle East engaged in persecuting and/or murdering Christians and there are those who are trying to wipe out any evidence of Christians or other ancient cultures which were there. By the way, since your roots are in the Middle East, you probably have had interesting conversations with your Muslim friends and acquaintances during your years there as to how they look upon their religion and the religions of others.


5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation


by Uzay Bulut
November 29, 2015 at 4:00 am

5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation

Most of my friend are happy with the mix of groups. They also like to preserve history not destroy it.

sadly war ravaged a lot of history, and especially tourism back home. I empathize with syria and iraq on that point.

I don't think the world will ever truly recover from the damage - whether destruction or looting - ISIS has done to archaeological treasures that have been preserved for thousands of years. It's truly a tragedy

they want the west to pay to rebuild syria.
$15 trillion + to rebuild syria

If we have a problem with the refugees, each nation should pay to rebuild syria so they have a place

............ Assad has said they can return now, no place to put them or supplies they would need.

Two things occur to me...

The archaeological treasures belong, in a sense, to the world - they are part of the foundations of western civilization. In that sense - donations from around the world, would be good (assuming a stable situation is achieved).

Also, I can't help but wonder if something like a "Marshall Plan" might not be helpful? But so much depends on what kind of political solution comes out of the carnage.

There are far too many refugees for the surrounding countries and Europe to absorb now, far far too many, and too much instability.

I, too, was thinking about some sort of Marshall Plan when this conflict is over. However, I think all Arab countries should chip in something. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States have loads of money. Surely they can put some of their ambitious projects on hold to help their fellow Arabs.

Totally agree - in fact, much needs to come from the surrounding Arab states - it's their backyard afterall.

 

[irosie91]

History did begin before Mohammad, christian use of Arabic 150 before Islam

Archaeologists Discover that Earliest Known Arabic Writing Was Penned by a Christian
www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/archaeologists-discover-earliest-known-arabic-writing-was-penned-christian-020778

21 March, 2016 - 23:51 Sam Bostrom
(Read the article on one page)

The oldest known Arabic writing found in Saudi Arabia, from ca. 470 AD belong to a Christian context and predates the advent of Islam with 150 years.

In December 2015, researchers from a French-Saudi expedition studying rock inscriptions in southern Saudi Arabia published a 100-page-long report in France’s Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres that reported that the oldest Arabic text, carved on a large rectangular stone that was found in Saudi Arabia, is simply of a name, “Thawban (son of) Malik,” decorated with a Christian cross. The same cross systematically appears on the other similar stelae dating more or less to the same period.

The discovery is sensational since it shows that the origins of the Arabic alphabet used to write the Koran belongs to a Christian context. This pre-Islamic alphabet is also called Nabatean Arabic, because it evolved from the script used by the Nabateans, the once-powerful nation that built Petra and dominated the trade routes in the southern Levant and northern Arabia before being annexed by the Romans in the early 2nd century.

Example of Nabatean script to the god Qasiu. Basalt, 1st century AD. Found in Sia in the Hauran, Southern Syria. (Public Domain)

The ancient text is a legacy of a once flourishing Christian community in the area also linked to the rise of an ancient Jewish kingdom that ruled over much of what is today Yemen and Saudi Arabia

• Oldest Arabic inscription provides missing link between Nabatean and Arabic writing
• Are the Reclusive Shihuh People of Musandam the Original Arabians?

Christians in the Desert
The Muslim tradition preserved in the book of Koran portrays the pre-Islamic region as chaotic and filled with unrest that Mohammed manages to unify with the help of the powerful message of Islam

However, the Islamic text makes no mention of the numerous Christian and Jewish communities across the Saudi peninsula that flourished during the days of Mohammed.

Recent studies of works by ancient Christians and Muslim records have re-shaped our image of the societies that existed in the region and shed new light on the complex history of the region before the advent of Islam. One of the important kingdoms in Arabia at the time was the Jewish kingdom of Himyar.

A bronze statue of Dhamar Ali Yahbur II, a Himyarite King who probably reigned in late 3rd or early 4th century AD. Displayed in Sana'a National Museum. (CC BY 2.0)

The kingdom was founded in the 2nd century AD, and around 380 AD the elites of the kingdom of Himyar converted to some form of Judaism. By the 4th century,

Himyar had become an important player in the struggle for regional power. The Kingdom of Himyar’s headquarters was situated in what is today Yemen, from where its expansionist rulers led a series of campaigns conquering into its neighboring states, including the legendary biblical kingdom of Sheba.

• The Qasr al-Farid, the Lonely Castle of the Nabataeans
• Is there truth to the Bedouin Legend of the Great River in the Desert?

Royal inscriptions found in the Saudi capital of Riyadhand and Bir Hima, north of Yemen, attest how the Himyarite kingdom during the 5th century expanded its influence into central Arabia, the Persian Gulf area, and into the region of Mecca and Medina, known as Hijaz.

Pre-Islamic rock art of Arabia at Bir Hima, carved into the eastern foothills of the Asir Mountains of Saudi Arabia. (CC BY 2.0)

According to ancient Christian sources, the Christians of the nearby city of Najran suffered a wave of persecution by the Himyarites in 470. The name of Thawban son of Malik appears on eight inscriptions, along with the names of other Christians. The French experts believe these inscriptions are a form of commemoration of Thawban and his fellow Christians that were martyred as they refused to convert to Judaism.

The researchers believe that the Christians choice of the early Arabic script to memorialize their comrades was an act of resistance that stood in sharp contrast to the inscriptions left by Himyarite rulers in their native Sabaean. To adopt a new writing system was a way of manifesting a separation from Himyar, and at the same time, a means to approach the rest of the Arabs to unify against their common enemy.

A portion of a war scene from the Himyarite era. (CC BY SA 3.0)

The growing resistance and outside pressure eventually brought down Himyar. In the years around 500, it fell to Christian invaders from the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum. For the next century, Himyar was a Christian kingdom that continued to exert control over Arabia. During the latter half of the 6th century, one of its rulers, Abraha, marched through Bir Hima, conquering, Yathrib, the desert oasis that 70 years later would become known as Medina – The City of the Prophet.

Featured Image: A photo showing some stelae found with Arabic inscriptions. Source: Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA)

By Sam Bostrom

Interesting, Aris, in light of the fact that there are Muslims in the Middle East engaged in persecuting and/or murdering Christians and there are those who are trying to wipe out any evidence of Christians or other ancient cultures which were there. By the way, since your roots are in the Middle East, you probably have had interesting conversations with your Muslim friends and acquaintances during your years there as to how they look upon their religion and the religions of others.


5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation


by Uzay Bulut
November 29, 2015 at 4:00 am

5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation

The problem isn't the Muslim culture, I think people forget that it is Muslims who preserved this history, as well as much learning, and kept it safe for over a thousand years. The problem is extremists, who's religious world view is so destructive.

I realize that most Muslims are peaceful, but a lot of these killings and destruction have to do with the Muslim culture in the sense that here in the 21st century we still see Muslims murdering each other because of their different sects as well as blowing up their shrines and mosques.. It's too bad you couldn't find some Ahmadiyya Muslims here in America and ask them how they feel about being in the U.S. where they feel safe from other Muslims who are trying to do them in elsewhere.

Again, the problem isn't really the Muslim culture at large Sally - it's the mindset of these extremists, which is little different than extremists elsewhere. Intolerance and destruction of the culture and history of anyone who is outside their sect. The thing about ISIS is it's less about religion than power. I was listening to NPR recently, talking about some of the people attracted to ISIS now - people with violent criminal backgrounds who can find an "outlet" for their violence in the guise of religion.

Sectarian warfare is nothing unique to Islam - witness the Irish sectarian conflict that went on for years. Or, the Bosnian conflict. Just recently Radazan Karadzic was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. You have a region with not just religious sectarian splits but ethnic and tribal splits and multiple failed or failing states.

There is a sickness called "EXTREMIST" that causes all the trouble in the
world. Coyote has DESCRIBED the problem-----it is like TUBERCULOSIS----
it is endemic thruout the world-------all we need to is find the pathogen-----HIV virus
was found in 1981. It was very prevalent in Haiti to the extent that blood
banks refuse HAITIAN BLOOD. Now we need find the pathogen that causes
TERRORISM -------way to go Coyote-----historically and at the present time it is
found PREVALENTLY in muslim populations----until the pathogen is found----the
classic recourse is QUARANTINE

 

[Pogo]

It's an antisemtic canard. Da evil Jooooos control everything, and therefore, can be blamed for, everything. Da Joooooooooos!

Yanno, da Joooooooos were founded by leftists in the Democratic Party. True fact.

 

[Roudy]

True, da Jooos are just as dumb as da blacks when it comes to their blind loyalty to the Democrat party.

 

[aris2chat]

History did begin before Mohammad, christian use of Arabic 150 before Islam

Archaeologists Discover that Earliest Known Arabic Writing Was Penned by a Christian
www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/archaeologists-discover-earliest-known-arabic-writing-was-penned-christian-020778

21 March, 2016 - 23:51 Sam Bostrom
(Read the article on one page)

The oldest known Arabic writing found in Saudi Arabia, from ca. 470 AD belong to a Christian context and predates the advent of Islam with 150 years.

In December 2015, researchers from a French-Saudi expedition studying rock inscriptions in southern Saudi Arabia published a 100-page-long report in France’s Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres that reported that the oldest Arabic text, carved on a large rectangular stone that was found in Saudi Arabia, is simply of a name, “Thawban (son of) Malik,” decorated with a Christian cross. The same cross systematically appears on the other similar stelae dating more or less to the same period.

The discovery is sensational since it shows that the origins of the Arabic alphabet used to write the Koran belongs to a Christian context. This pre-Islamic alphabet is also called Nabatean Arabic, because it evolved from the script used by the Nabateans, the once-powerful nation that built Petra and dominated the trade routes in the southern Levant and northern Arabia before being annexed by the Romans in the early 2nd century.

Example of Nabatean script to the god Qasiu. Basalt, 1st century AD. Found in Sia in the Hauran, Southern Syria. (Public Domain)

The ancient text is a legacy of a once flourishing Christian community in the area also linked to the rise of an ancient Jewish kingdom that ruled over much of what is today Yemen and Saudi Arabia

• Oldest Arabic inscription provides missing link between Nabatean and Arabic writing
• Are the Reclusive Shihuh People of Musandam the Original Arabians?

Christians in the Desert
The Muslim tradition preserved in the book of Koran portrays the pre-Islamic region as chaotic and filled with unrest that Mohammed manages to unify with the help of the powerful message of Islam

However, the Islamic text makes no mention of the numerous Christian and Jewish communities across the Saudi peninsula that flourished during the days of Mohammed.

Recent studies of works by ancient Christians and Muslim records have re-shaped our image of the societies that existed in the region and shed new light on the complex history of the region before the advent of Islam. One of the important kingdoms in Arabia at the time was the Jewish kingdom of Himyar.

A bronze statue of Dhamar Ali Yahbur II, a Himyarite King who probably reigned in late 3rd or early 4th century AD. Displayed in Sana'a National Museum. (CC BY 2.0)

The kingdom was founded in the 2nd century AD, and around 380 AD the elites of the kingdom of Himyar converted to some form of Judaism. By the 4th century,

Himyar had become an important player in the struggle for regional power. The Kingdom of Himyar’s headquarters was situated in what is today Yemen, from where its expansionist rulers led a series of campaigns conquering into its neighboring states, including the legendary biblical kingdom of Sheba.

• The Qasr al-Farid, the Lonely Castle of the Nabataeans
• Is there truth to the Bedouin Legend of the Great River in the Desert?

Royal inscriptions found in the Saudi capital of Riyadhand and Bir Hima, north of Yemen, attest how the Himyarite kingdom during the 5th century expanded its influence into central Arabia, the Persian Gulf area, and into the region of Mecca and Medina, known as Hijaz.

Pre-Islamic rock art of Arabia at Bir Hima, carved into the eastern foothills of the Asir Mountains of Saudi Arabia. (CC BY 2.0)

According to ancient Christian sources, the Christians of the nearby city of Najran suffered a wave of persecution by the Himyarites in 470. The name of Thawban son of Malik appears on eight inscriptions, along with the names of other Christians. The French experts believe these inscriptions are a form of commemoration of Thawban and his fellow Christians that were martyred as they refused to convert to Judaism.

The researchers believe that the Christians choice of the early Arabic script to memorialize their comrades was an act of resistance that stood in sharp contrast to the inscriptions left by Himyarite rulers in their native Sabaean. To adopt a new writing system was a way of manifesting a separation from Himyar, and at the same time, a means to approach the rest of the Arabs to unify against their common enemy.

A portion of a war scene from the Himyarite era. (CC BY SA 3.0)

The growing resistance and outside pressure eventually brought down Himyar. In the years around 500, it fell to Christian invaders from the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum. For the next century, Himyar was a Christian kingdom that continued to exert control over Arabia. During the latter half of the 6th century, one of its rulers, Abraha, marched through Bir Hima, conquering, Yathrib, the desert oasis that 70 years later would become known as Medina – The City of the Prophet.

Featured Image: A photo showing some stelae found with Arabic inscriptions. Source: Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA)

By Sam Bostrom

Interesting, Aris, in light of the fact that there are Muslims in the Middle East engaged in persecuting and/or murdering Christians and there are those who are trying to wipe out any evidence of Christians or other ancient cultures which were there. By the way, since your roots are in the Middle East, you probably have had interesting conversations with your Muslim friends and acquaintances during your years there as to how they look upon their religion and the religions of others.


5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation


by Uzay Bulut
November 29, 2015 at 4:00 am

5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation

The problem isn't the Muslim culture, I think people forget that it is Muslims who preserved this history, as well as much learning, and kept it safe for over a thousand years. The problem is extremists, who's religious world view is so destructive.

I realize that most Muslims are peaceful, but a lot of these killings and destruction have to do with the Muslim culture in the sense that here in the 21st century we still see Muslims murdering each other because of their different sects as well as blowing up their shrines and mosques.. It's too bad you couldn't find some Ahmadiyya Muslims here in America and ask them how they feel about being in the U.S. where they feel safe from other Muslims who are trying to do them in elsewhere.

Again, the problem isn't really the Muslim culture at large Sally - it's the mindset of these extremists, which is little different than extremists elsewhere. Intolerance and destruction of the culture and history of anyone who is outside their sect. The thing about ISIS is it's less about religion than power. I was listening to NPR recently, talking about some of the people attracted to ISIS now - people with violent criminal backgrounds who can find an "outlet" for their violence in the guise of religion.

Sectarian warfare is nothing unique to Islam - witness the Irish sectarian conflict that went on for years. Or, the Bosnian conflict. Just recently Radazan Karadzic was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. You have a region with not just religious sectarian splits but ethnic and tribal splits and multiple failed or failing states.

There is a sickness called "EXTREMIST" that causes all the trouble in the
world. Coyote has DESCRIBED the problem-----it is like TUBERCULOSIS----
it is endemic thruout the world-------all we need to is find the pathogen-----HIV virus
was found in 1981. It was very prevalent in Haiti to the extent that blood
banks refuse HAITIAN BLOOD. Now we need find the pathogen that causes
TERRORISM -------way to go Coyote-----historically and at the present time it is
found PREVALENTLY in muslim populations----until the pathogen is found----the
classic recourse is QUARANTINE

and sadly they wave their qurans like a shield and claim to be acting in the name of allah like a sword.

many if not most groups have extreme elements, but they don't usually use religion as cause and effect for killing others. (ya, I know abortion clinic bombings)

Unfortunately, among muslims in the MENA, and those who operate for them in the west, the line between church and state is very blurred. It is not just extremism, but religious extremism that is the motivation. In the case of ISIS/Daesh it is the goal of an Islamic State (global). sans kafir.

They have made this about religion and not just a state in syria and iraq. Extremist muslims have always tried to make this about religion even long before ISIS or even Taliban.

 

[Freeman]

Arabs wanted everyone to convert in every faith.

What do you mean?
There were christians in the south and jews in the north in Khaybar and paganists in this region, most have converted to Islam.
Arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.
Forced conversion is not allowed in Islam.
Let There Be No Compulsion in Religion - The Religion of Islam

 

[irosie91]

Interesting, Aris, in light of the fact that there are Muslims in the Middle East engaged in persecuting and/or murdering Christians and there are those who are trying to wipe out any evidence of Christians or other ancient cultures which were there. By the way, since your roots are in the Middle East, you probably have had interesting conversations with your Muslim friends and acquaintances during your years there as to how they look upon their religion and the religions of others.


5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation


by Uzay Bulut
November 29, 2015 at 4:00 am

5000-year-old Assyrian Culture Facing Devastation

The problem isn't the Muslim culture, I think people forget that it is Muslims who preserved this history, as well as much learning, and kept it safe for over a thousand years. The problem is extremists, who's religious world view is so destructive.

I realize that most Muslims are peaceful, but a lot of these killings and destruction have to do with the Muslim culture in the sense that here in the 21st century we still see Muslims murdering each other because of their different sects as well as blowing up their shrines and mosques.. It's too bad you couldn't find some Ahmadiyya Muslims here in America and ask them how they feel about being in the U.S. where they feel safe from other Muslims who are trying to do them in elsewhere.

Again, the problem isn't really the Muslim culture at large Sally - it's the mindset of these extremists, which is little different than extremists elsewhere. Intolerance and destruction of the culture and history of anyone who is outside their sect. The thing about ISIS is it's less about religion than power. I was listening to NPR recently, talking about some of the people attracted to ISIS now - people with violent criminal backgrounds who can find an "outlet" for their violence in the guise of religion.

Sectarian warfare is nothing unique to Islam - witness the Irish sectarian conflict that went on for years. Or, the Bosnian conflict. Just recently Radazan Karadzic was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. You have a region with not just religious sectarian splits but ethnic and tribal splits and multiple failed or failing states.

There is a sickness called "EXTREMIST" that causes all the trouble in the
world. Coyote has DESCRIBED the problem-----it is like TUBERCULOSIS----
it is endemic thruout the world-------all we need to is find the pathogen-----HIV virus
was found in 1981. It was very prevalent in Haiti to the extent that blood
banks refuse HAITIAN BLOOD. Now we need find the pathogen that causes
TERRORISM -------way to go Coyote-----historically and at the present time it is
found PREVALENTLY in muslim populations----until the pathogen is found----the
classic recourse is QUARANTINE

and sadly they wave their qurans like a shield and claim to be acting in the name of allah like a sword.

many if not most groups have extreme elements, but they don't usually use religion as cause and effect for killing others. (ya, I know abortion clinic bombings)

Unfortunately, among muslims in the MENA, and those who operate for them in the west, the line between church and state is very blurred. It is not just extremism, but religious extremism that is the motivation. In the case of ISIS/Daesh it is the goal of an Islamic State (global). sans kafir.

sheeeesh Aris------don't use French-------you will be ACCUSED of being
a colonialist or in CAHOOTS with the COLONIALISTS ***THE EVIL WEST*** (stuff I read long ago that was thrown around as a LIBEL against -----uhm.....persons of your creed in Lebanon)

 

[aris2chat]

Arabs wanted everyone to convert in every faith.

What do you mean?
There were christians in the south and jews in the north in Khaybar and paganists in this region, most have converted to Islam.
Arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.
Forced conversion is not allowed in Islam.
Let There Be No Compulsion in Religion - The Religion of Islam

and yet so many have been killed because they convert or believe in the christian faith
churches or the bible is not allowed in most of arabia.
Chritians that word at the pleasure of saudi, live in compounds/ghettos apart from muslims.
Christians in their own homes have been arrested for praying in groups.

What is that about no compulsion of religion???????

 

[Freeman]

Arabs wanted everyone to convert in every faith.

What do you mean?
There were christians in the south and jews in the north in Khaybar and paganists in this region, most have converted to Islam.
Arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.
Forced conversion is not allowed in Islam.
Let There Be No Compulsion in Religion - The Religion of Islam

and yet so many have been killed because they convert or believe in the christian faith
churches or the bible is not allowed in most of arabia.
Chritians that word at the pleasure of saudi, live in compounds/ghettos apart from muslims.
Christians in their own homes have been arrested for praying in groups.

What is that about no compulsion of religion???????

Your thread is ridiculous as arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.

Who are the christians who were killed in the arabic peninsula?

 

[irosie91]

Arabs wanted everyone to convert in every faith.

What do you mean?
There were christians in the south and jews in the north in Khaybar and paganists in this region, most have converted to Islam.
Arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.
Forced conversion is not allowed in Islam.
Let There Be No Compulsion in Religion - The Religion of Islam

and yet so many have been killed because they convert or believe in the christian faith
churches or the bible is not allowed in most of arabia.
Chritians that word at the pleasure of saudi, live in compounds/ghettos apart from muslims.
Christians in their own homes have been arrested for praying in groups.

What is that about no compulsion of religion???????

Your thread is ridiculous as arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.

Who are the christians who were killed in the arabic peninsula?

how do you know that the Arabic language "EXISTED" before Judaism and
"christianism" -------it was not a written language until about 300 AD. It
is certainly true that the residents of the Arabian peninsula were grunting SOME
sort of a language before that-------but the fact is as I have been told is that
ARABIC has changed something like ENGLISH changed ---over the past 2000
years----to the extent that even today Arabic in different countries -----is SO DIFFERENT that people from Morocco cannot talk to people from Saudi Arabia.
There were jews in the Arabian peninsula for about 1500 years (at least) before
Muhummad was born------and---SHORTLY after Christianity became established
as a religion (like 300 AD) SAUDI ARABIA IS ON THE SILK ROAD
(google 'silk road') Even in the old days HUMANS were mobile and engaged
in long distance trading

 

[Freeman]

Arabs wanted everyone to convert in every faith.

What do you mean?
There were christians in the south and jews in the north in Khaybar and paganists in this region, most have converted to Islam.
Arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.
Forced conversion is not allowed in Islam.
Let There Be No Compulsion in Religion - The Religion of Islam

and yet so many have been killed because they convert or believe in the christian faith
churches or the bible is not allowed in most of arabia.
Chritians that word at the pleasure of saudi, live in compounds/ghettos apart from muslims.
Christians in their own homes have been arrested for praying in groups.

What is that about no compulsion of religion???????

Your thread is ridiculous as arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.

Who are the christians who were killed in the arabic peninsula?

how do you know that the Arabic language "EXISTED" before Judaism and
"christianism" -------it was not a written language until about 300 AD. It
is certainly true that the residents of the Arabian peninsula were grunting SOME
sort of a language before that-------but the fact is as I have been told is that
ARABIC has changed something like ENGLISH changed ---over the past 2000
years----to the extent that even today Arabic in different countries -----is SO DIFFERENT that people from Morocco cannot talk to people from Saudi Arabia.
There were jews in the Arabian peninsula for about 1500 years (at least) before
Muhummad was born------and---SHORTLY after Christianity became established
as a religion (like 300 AD) SAUDI ARABIA IS ON THE SILK ROAD
(google 'silk road') Even in the old days HUMANS were mobile and engaged
in long distance trading

The history of the Arabic alphabet shows that this abjad has changed since it arose. It is thought that the Arabic alphabet is a derivative of the Nabataean variation of the Aramaic alphabet, which descended from the Phoenician alphabet, which among others gave rise to the Hebrew alphabet and the Greek alphabet (and therefore the Cyrillic and Roman alphabets).
History of the Arabic alphabet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[aris2chat]

Arabs wanted everyone to convert in every faith.

What do you mean?
There were christians in the south and jews in the north in Khaybar and paganists in this region, most have converted to Islam.
Arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.
Forced conversion is not allowed in Islam.
Let There Be No Compulsion in Religion - The Religion of Islam

and yet so many have been killed because they convert or believe in the christian faith
churches or the bible is not allowed in most of arabia.
Chritians that word at the pleasure of saudi, live in compounds/ghettos apart from muslims.
Christians in their own homes have been arrested for praying in groups.

What is that about no compulsion of religion???????

Your thread is ridiculous as arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.

Who are the christians who were killed in the arabic peninsula?

how do you know that the Arabic language "EXISTED" before Judaism and
"christianism" -------it was not a written language until about 300 AD. It
is certainly true that the residents of the Arabian peninsula were grunting SOME
sort of a language before that-------but the fact is as I have been told is that
ARABIC has changed something like ENGLISH changed ---over the past 2000
years----to the extent that even today Arabic in different countries -----is SO DIFFERENT that people from Morocco cannot talk to people from Saudi Arabia.
There were jews in the Arabian peninsula for about 1500 years (at least) before
Muhummad was born------and---SHORTLY after Christianity became established
as a religion (like 300 AD) SAUDI ARABIA IS ON THE SILK ROAD
(google 'silk road') Even in the old days HUMANS were mobile and engaged
in long distance trading

The history of the Arabic alphabet shows that this abjad has changed since it arose. It is thought that the Arabic alphabet is a derivative of the Nabataean variation of the Aramaic alphabet, which descended from the Phoenician alphabet, which among others gave rise to the Hebrew alphabet and the Greek alphabet (and therefore the Cyrillic and Roman alphabets).
History of the Arabic alphabet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arabic after the greek, hebrew and phoenican.


>>Phoenician alphabet, called by convention the Proto-Canaanite alphabet for inscriptions older than around 1050 BC, is the oldest verified alphabet.<<

>>The Phoenician alphabet is derived from Egyptian hieroglyphs and became one of the most widely used writing systems, spread by Phoenician merchants across the Mediterranean world, where it evolved and was assimilated by many other cultures. The Paleo-Hebrew alphabet was directly derived from Phoenician. Another derivative script is the Aramaic alphabet<<

 

[Coyote]

Arabs wanted everyone to convert in every faith.

What do you mean?
There were christians in the south and jews in the north in Khaybar and paganists in this region, most have converted to Islam.
Arabic language exist before judaism and christianism.
Forced conversion is not allowed in Islam.
Let There Be No Compulsion in Religion - The Religion of Islam

and yet so many have been killed because they convert or believe in the christian faith
churches or the bible is not allowed in most of arabia.
Chritians that word at the pleasure of saudi, live in compounds/ghettos apart from muslims.
Christians in their own homes have been arrested for praying in groups.

What is that about no compulsion of religion???????

Not unique to Islam.