The Presence of Islam in Andalus By Ahmad ThomsonThe Iberian peninsula during the years 711 to 1609 is a fascinating time period. It experienced both great enlightenment and immense darkness, and was marked by vast intelligence and profound ignorance. In Arabic, 'Andalus' means 'to become smooth and shiny with age, slipping through your fingers', perfectly describing the history of the region, which has been repeatedly shaped by these forces. In The Presence of Islam in Andalus, Ahmad Thomson delves