Ibn Battuta Arrives in China
Having sailed for forty days, Ibn Battuta finally reached the busy port of Quanzhou on the shore of Fujian Province.
He was amazed at what he sees and learned that silk is being used as clothing even by less fortunate people like beggars and monks. He also admired the finest pots made of porcelain and the bigger sizes of poultry animals.
Ibn Battuta was quite shocked and anxious at the culture he did not understand. China was not a Muslim country and the cultural contrasts he came across with troubled him that it made him stay indoors most of the time. For him, seeing any Muslims feels like meeting a family.
As reported, Ibn Battuta met a wealthy Egyptian Muslim trader who settled in Hangzhou, known to have been the world’s biggest city in the 14th century. He enjoyed banquets, magic shows, and canal rides. Ibn Battuta met a familiar face in Fuzhou. The man he met in India was now a rich man and presented with many gifts.
As he moved back to Quanzhou, he saw a junk that belongs to the Sultan of Samudra that is about to sail back. And so Ibn Battuta boarded and started to return home. For three years, he walked again the streets of Tangier, Morocco while sharing his travels throughout the Dar al-Islam.
A Festival for the Prince of Travelers
Now hailed as the Prince of Travelers and the greatest traveler of premodern times, a festival presented by the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta honors the legacy of Ibn Battuta will be celebrated on November 9-12, 2017 in the city of Tangier, Morocco. Bringing the concept, “Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace”, the International Festival of Ibn Battuta which is now in its second edition is bringing together artists, literary masters, ministers of culture, government leaders and representatives from the international community.
Mohamed Dekkak
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Ibn Battuta Travels: Going eastward to Malaysia and Sumatra
Following a chain of unfortunate events in Maldives and India, losing everything he has from pirate thieves and shipwrecks, Ibn Battuta settled to go back to China alone.
Traveling Muslims like Ibn Battuta knows that Muslim hospitality is present in major sea ports. In fact, the Prophet Muhammad encouraged to travel and learn in China and therefore Ibn Battuta did not find it to be difficult as he knows he can depend on the kindness of fellow Muslims in Malaysia en route to China.
Malay leaders urged Muslim merchants to establish a business in their ports and take advantage of the country’s strong economy. Having settled, the Muslim community looked for judges, teachers, entrepreneurs, religious leaders etc. This eventually made the community grow and become more influential. Malay rulers acknowledged the benefits of converting into Muslims like going into bigger trade networks and join fully in Dar al-Islam. Even a Malay Prince of Sumatra in the 13th century converted to Islam.
Together with some companions, Ibn Battuta sailed to Chittagong from India. Today, the country is called Bangladesh. Chittagong he shares was a city full of food and where every thing was cheap. He also traveled to Sylhet to look for a famed holy man who can see the future and carry out miracles. This holy man told his disciples that a traveler from N. Africa is coming. They discovered that Ibn Battuta is on his way. For three days, he stayed there, sharing stories of travels with the holy man.
In Chittagong, he boarded a Chinese junk and traveled to Samudra in Sumatra where he stayed for 2 weeks as sultan’s visitor. The ruler gave him supplies and sent him in one the sultan’s junks to China.
The International Festival of Ibn Battuta
Happening on November 9 – 12, 2017, the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta is currently organizing a unique travel event called the International Festival of Ibn Battuta. Now on its second edition, the event is paying tribute to the Prince of Travelers, Ibn Battuta.
Included in the list of event activities are music and cultural shows, stage plays, forum and conferences, street and art exhibitions, film shows and more. Visitors coming from different parts of the globe will be joining the festivity including modern day travelers, social media influencers, artists, industry professionals and people from the travel and art community.
Mohamed Dekkak
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Call for Papers: Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace
International Conference
“Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace”
November 9-12, 2017
City of Tangier, Morocco
CALL FOR PAPERS
The Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta is glad to announce that the Call for Papers of the International Conference “Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace” is open. The conference will be held in Tangier, Morocco from November 9th to November 12th, 2017 during the second edition of International Festival of Ibn Battuta.
Introduction
To a certain degree, we are afraid of the unknown. Fear has become a reason for doubts and distrust. It creates illusions in our mind that stop us from doing what we want, from going places.
In many ways, traveling can break the cycle of fear. Replacing fear with curiosity and having an open mind can lead to many wonderful and positive discoveries just like Ibn Battuta, a curious young man who traveled the world for several years was eager to learn more about the world.
At the end of his journey, Ibn Battuta shared many inspiring stories and has contributed immensely in the area of geography.
Aim of the Conference
The event intends to continue the legacy of Ibn Battuta and celebrate his contributions as well other great world travelers in our history.
Travel widens your understanding of the world – a passport to PEACE. We want to promote the idea of travelers becoming ambassadors of peace and to have a greater understanding of our cultural diversities.
We are seeking papers that deal with unpublished research in relation the theme of the conference.
Language: English, French, Arabic or Spanish
Title Format: Times New Roman 12, Bold
Authors: Name, Surname, Institution of affiliation
Text: Times New Roman 11, Original, not more than 25 pages
Author’s information: short biography of 300 words maximum
Contact details: Tel. No., E-mail, website
Submission deadline: August 10, 2017
Notification of Acceptance: 7 days after submission
Organizers may or may not publish submitted papers.
To submit your paper, visit our official website at https://ibnbattuta.ma/
The Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta has been established to promote awareness of the legacy of Ibn Battuta and the tribute he rightfully deserves. It also seeks to support the region as a cultural tourism destination.
I encourage you to share and participate at this much-awaited travel event.
Sincerely,
Mohamed Dekkak
Ibn Battuta’s Journey to Maldives
The small islands of Maldives are situated in the Indian Ocean, southwestern portion of Sri Lanka and India. The country is an archipelagic nation consist of 26 islets and rise just a few feet above the sea’s surface and extends to 475 miles of beautiful white sand.
During the medieval era, the country plays a vital role in exportation. Coconut fibers are utilized to produce ropes and cowrie shells which are made as Malaysia’s money as well as other parts of Africa.
In the middle of 12th century, the locals of Maldives converted from Buddhism to Islam when a religious Muslim from North Africa got rid of the land’s bad spirits. When he arrived at the country’s capital Male, Ibn Battuta did not plan to stay longer. However, the leaders are looking for a chief judge, a person who knows Arabic and Qur’an. The leaders were happy to see a visitor that meet their requirements. To convince the traveler to stay, they have given him pearls, gold jewelry, and slaves. More so, they did something to make it impossible for him to leave by ship. He agreed to settle while giving them his own conditions including being carried by a horse instead of walking.
He settled in the area with another wife who’s related to the queen, living together in less than 2 months. He’s now part of the royal family and the most important judge.
He worked on his role being a judge with keenness and strived to carry out the strict Muslim law and transform local practices. He commanded that if a man fails to appear during Friday prayer he will be whipped in public disgracefully and robbers will have their right hand cut. When he started to have opponents, Ibn Battuta chose to leave after living in Maldives for 9 months.
International Festival of Ibn Battuta
The Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta will be putting up a travel festival specially dedicated to the legendary Ibn Battuta. Carrying this year’s theme “Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace”, the second edition of the International Festival of Ibn Battuta will be a unique interactive event where people from the travel community, literary, will be coming together to celebrate his legacy and to empower the people to travel and promote cultural respect.
The event is scheduled for November 9-12, 2017 in the city of Tangier, Morocco. Everyone is invited to join and participate this huge cultural event. You can also become a volunteer. To know more about this event, visit https://ibnbattuta.ma/fw-event-slug/international-festival-ibn-battuta-2nd-edition-tangier-morocco/
Mohamed Dekkak
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Ibn Battuta Escapes Tragedy
Harnessing the winds to sail the ships, the group moved south and landed in the port of Calicut where they were greeted with loud sounds of drums, horns, trumpets and cheering people. Also docked in the same harbor were 13 junks from China that are much larger than the dhows with 5 decks or more which very much impressed Ibn Battuta. These ships have cabins and even private toilets. The crew of these junks can hold about a thousand workers. Ibn Battuta would later realize that these junks were not as safe compared to dhows.
The group occupied 3 junks continuing their journey to China. Their crew relocated their gifts, horses and slaves to these large ships. For the whole day, Ibn Battuta was in the mosque and intended to board the ship that afternoon. Before he can board the ship, a strong storm came up. Since the docking area was shallow, the captains ordered the junks to wait out for the storm in deep water. Feeling helpless, Ibn Battuta watched to his horror as the 2 ships were pushed to the shore and left shattered and sank. Some crew members were saved but none survived from the other one, the ship he was meant to be on.
The other ship was transporting Ibn Battuta’s luggage, servants and slaves. The ship’s captain decided to sail for China without him or the goods he needs to give to Emperor of China.
Alone, broke and embarrassed for failing as the trip’s leader to China for the Sultan of Delhi, Ibn Battuta was still lucky to be alive. There is still the possibility to get close to the other ship so he attempted to pursue the ship but failed. He discovered 3 months later that the junk traveled to Indonesia and everything in it was taken by the king of Sumatra.
He opted to return back to the Sultan of Delhi but was afraid he might be executed. So instead, he chose to find a job and protection under southern India’s Muslim sultan where he enlisted on a day long actual battle.
And when the succeeding battle seemed to have an impossible win, Ibn Battuta in some way managed to escape the fight and proceeded down the coast arriving again in Calicut. From there he decided to pursue his travel to China alone. He knows he can experience Muslim hospitality on the way.
And so he chose to proceed to China alone but choosing the long way to make a short trip to Maldives before continuing to Sri Lanka to do a pilgrimage to the sacred Adam’s Peak.
Discover Ibn Battuta
There are more interesting stories about Ibn Battuta’s world travel. Uncover his story at the upcoming International Festival of Ibn Battuta on November 9-12, 2017 happening at the city of Tangier in the Kingdom of Morocco. Presented by the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta, the festival is a unique kind of offering to the international travel community.
Mohamed Dekkak
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1
Ibn Battuta’s Delhi Escape
Recognizing the Sultan of India, Muhammad Tughluq’s temperamental and dictatorial behavior, Ibn Battuta feared for his life as a judge. The Sultan, however, had a mission in mind, one that the traveler found appealing. The ruler planned to appoint him as an ambassador to Mongol court of China.Ibn Battuta would go together with fifteen Chinese messengers in returning to their homeland and bring back truckloads of gifts for the emperor. That way, he could flee from Muhammad Tughluq and travel to more lands in a grand style.
Ibn Battuta left Delhi in 1341 with the group to travel to China. The Sultan’s gifts for the Mongol Emperor are two hundred Hindu slaves, dancers and singers, fifteen boy servants, a hundred horses and loads of clothes, dishes, and swords. Under his command are a thousand soldiers to guard the treasure and goods ‘til they could embark on ships to China.
The group, however, was attacked by four thousand Hindu rebels just a few days they left Delhi. Ibn Battuta declared they won despite being greatly outnumbered. Soon after, there has been another attack and he was isolated from his group. About 10 horsemen hunted him but were able to overtake 3 then hid from the rest. Having escaped, he was once again threatened by 40 Hindus who stole everything he has. These thieves normally keep their captive on a cave, Ibn Battuta however, was able to convince them to let him go trading his clothes.
Weakened, on barefoot and dressed only with his trousers on, Ibn Battuta was rescued 8 days later by a Muslim who moved him to a village. Soon, he was able to reconnect with his group and proceeded on his initial mission to China.
Ibn Battuta and his group traveled to Daulatabad without trouble and arrived at the city’s fort where they were protected. A few days of rest, they proceeded to the seaside city of Cambay full of foreign traders living in good houses.
Within days his group arrived at Gandhar where they got aboard on 4 ships. 3 of them were huge dhows intended to transport gifts which included a hundred horses, more than two hundred slaves, and servants. The fourth was a battle ship that transported soldiers who were skilled archers and spear throwers to protect them in case of pirate attacks.
International Travel Event
Get to know more about Ibn Battuta’s exciting adventures at the second International Festival of Ibn Battuta happening on November 9-12, 2017 to be held at the city of Tangier in Morocco. This event is presented by the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta who believes in promoting cultural exchange through travel to deepen the understanding on the world’s cultural diversity.
In this regard, the team behind the event is inviting people from the travel community to join in the celebration and commemoration of the legacy of the Great Ibn Battuta. Exciting social activities will be carried out and it will be a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and discover the many wonders of traveling.
Mohamed Dekkak
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1
International Festival of Ibn Battuta
Here’s your chance to meet the world by attending a travel festival. Everyone in the world loves to travel and get the new information of the world in different fields and departments. This festival happening on November 9-12, 2017 is not only organized for the keen interest of the people to enjoy but also the knowledge and information provided unique activities.
They can get the chance to meet the people of the world; they can also get information about the culture of the Morocco and especially the tales and experiences of the travelers from around the whole world.
Meet the World and Explore New Things
No doubt the International Festival of Ibn Battuta is a global event in which the groups from all over the world will participate. There will be artists and musicians who will present their stories and tales through their scheduled performances. These will include solo performances and group performances which will be presented on stage. It will all be entertaining with informative presentations. Groups from countries where Ibn Battuta visited and got the experience of traveling will also perform.
Presentation of the Story of Ibn Battuta
Moreover, the most important part of this festival is the presentation of theater plays about the life of Ibn Battuta. Actors will play their roles according to the story of Ibn Battuta in honor of his journey and travel. This show will take place throughout the festivity in any of the stages of the Tangier, Morocco.
Invitation to all over the World
The association of Morocco which is organizing the Ibn Battuta Festival is inviting the people from all over the globe, experienced travelers, artists, culture experts, students and many other professionals to come and visit Morocco. They all are invited to increase the agglomeration of activities.
Specialty of this Festival
The specialty of this Ibn Battuta Festival is all the information of the artists and musicians, travelers and the literature are in one place. These all are related to the story of Ibn Battuta in every stage. These are correlated with the activities of traveling, life, and visits of Ibn Battuta in every country of the world. Ibn Battuta was the famous traveler, and he shared most of the stories of his travels and journey.
Enjoyment and Information
The people of France and Europe must visit this interesting festival to get the idea of the culture of Morocco. The travelers especially young people will love to get the information about other nations’ travelers so that they can move all over the globe easily. It is also beneficial for the peace of travelers and ambassadors. Promoting the tolerance, peace, and harmony among worldwide cultures is another aim of the Ibn Battuta Festival.
Bottom Lines
By ending the details of the Ibn Battuta Festival, it can be said that this festival is os not for specific people, but everyone can enjoy it. So don’t forget to experience one of the best events in Morocco this year!
Mohamed Dekkak
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1
5 Reasons for celebrating the International Festival of Ibn Battuta in Tangier
The Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta in Morocco is organizing a versatile cultural and travel event to celebrate the vibrant culture of Morocco. The International Festival of Ibn Battuta will take place on 9th of November, 2017 at a beautiful city of Tangier. The major aim of this association is to connect the visions of premodern explorers to the modern travelers. In doing so, this association celebrates and promote the travel story of the most famous traveler, Ibn Battuta. This event promotes the contributions of legendary Ibn Battuta through an art exhibition, carnival, travel movies, theatrical plays and much more. But the question that arises in the mind of every person is that why this event is celebrated particularly in Tangier? Well, this article will enlighten you about the actual reason for celebrating this festival in Tangier.
Birthplace of Ibn Battuta
Most of the people do not know that Tangier is the birthplace of Ibn Battuta. The original name of Ibn Battuta was Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta. The northern part of Tangier was the birthplace of Ibn Battuta.
Beginning of his Journey
Since Tangier is the birthplace of Ibn Battuta, so he started traveling at a very young age of 20 from this place. His goal was to perform Hajj, so he moves to Mecca with this aim in mind. His long and historical journey starts from Tangier. He travels around the world with the aim of understanding and learning from the world. He covers various regions of Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, North and West Africa, etc. He moves the mind of people, so every person considers traveling as a means of understanding the culture or promoting peace amongst various nations. It is one of the reasons for celebrating the International Festival of Ibn Battuta in Tangier.
Celebration of the previous festival
The first Ibn Battuta International Festival was held in this city of Morocco from 24th to 26 February in 2017. This festival successfully offers amalgamate of live and artistic performances. The activities of the previous festival include music parade, awarding ceremony, musical show, scientific discussion and a dinner at the end. So, the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta intends to promote the cultural tradition of Morocco by celebrating another edition of that event.
A melting point
The beautiful city of Tangier has been a home for various international artists and writers. It is a melting point between Europe and Africa and the Kind Mohammed VI consider this city as a prime economic center. The progress on business developments is observable since many years, so it tourism in this place can take the country to the heights of success.
Cultural and Historical influence
Tangier plays a significant role in the history due to its location on the Mediterranean in the northern part of Morocco. It is a 2,500-year-old city, so there is plenty to discover in this place. Due to its historical significance, Tangier is chosen for celebrating the International Festival of Ibn Battuta.
Mohamed Dekkak
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1
Ten Reasons for attending the International Festival of Ibn Battuta
This 2017, the travel community will experience a one of a kind festival to be staged in the beautiful city of Tangier. The relation of travel and culture depicts the best artistic heritage of the region. The purpose behind celebrating this kind of festival is to encourage people from all parts of the world to learn the culture of travel. Here are ten important reasons why you should experience the second International Festival of Ibn Battuta
1. Discovery and Travel Experience
Ibn Battuta’s travel experience will be presented through social activities. Visitors who know less about Ibn Battuta, the culture and heritage of the area and other nations will develop a deeper understanding through this festival.
2. Street Art
Tangier and its walls will be painted with various Ibn Battuta interpretations, displaying his devotion to the world. The Morrocan Association of Ibn Battuta will showcase the work of world-renowned writers, artists, and travelers. Art graffiti will be displayed to show artist’s paint interpretation on travel.
3. Carnival
The beautifully arranged carnival will pass through the streets of Tangier. The participation of young people from different schools will make it the best experience. People who are fond of traveling will get a chance to know about the great travelers in history and their experiences. This art carnival will help people to understand and learn things through a completely different perspective.
4. Art Exhibition
Many paintings related to the travel and experiences of great travelers in history will spike more interest in the festival. People of the world are living in many different regions, but the heritage, art, and culture can increase peace and harmony among them. Ibn Battuta’s experience through traveling is inevitable for the art lovers.
5. Conferences
There will be scheduled conferences on topics relating to travel literature, geography and much more. It will also spread the knowledge about the character of Ibn Battuta as a significant world traveler.
6. Film Showing
Various travel movies will be shown on a big screen on an outdoor setup.
7. Theatrical Plays
Inspired by the life of Ibn Battuta, watch his story presented live on theater stage by invited stage performers.
8. Cultural and Musical Shows
This will be a colorful showcase of international talents presented through music and live performances.
9. Volunteer Experience
Artists and volunteers will participate in the exchange of cultural activities. Volunteers are also doing their best to bring artists, lecturers, bloggers and media people to attend this event. Volunteers coming from different parts of the world are helping out in planning and executing the said event.
10. Discover the Heritage of Morocco
Travel and discover the beautiful city of Tangier and why many famous personalities fell in love with the city and have made Tangier their home. Tangier’s richness of culture and a long history of tolerance has fostered a diverse community of immigrants’ like Henry Matisse, Truman Capote, Malcolm Forbes, Yves Saint-Laurent Jane and Paul Bowles and many others.
This four-day festival will have people from all over the world. According to cultural theorists, such events are always helpful for promoting connections of different people from various countries. It is also helpful in increase peace and tolerance among them. To know more about this event, visit http://ibnbattuta.ma/
Mohamed Dekkak
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1
Ibn Battuta Travels to New Delhi
The young traveler arrived in India by way of Afghanistan’s high mountains, trailing the route of a Turkish warrior who, took control of the Hindu farming people of India and founded the Sultanate of Delhi a century ago.
The first group of Muslim soldiers ransacked towns and destroyed Hindu believers image of gods. Later on, warrior kings established a tax system instead of slay the peasants. They substituted the residing Hindu leaders with Afghan Turks and took over a big expanse of an area just about the tip of the subcontinent.
The Muslim sultans in Delhi, however, are unsafe. They are continuously challenged by oppositions from India’s Hindu majority who fought back against the conquerors and were compromised with continuing Mongol invasions coming from the north. Approaching India, Ibn Battuta paid a visit to Chagatay Khan who occupied Indi and made threats to Delhi, the new capital city. However, Sultan Muhammad Tughluq’s defense force pushed them back to Indus River.
India has gradually taken under the control of Muslim leaders. Hindus even converted to Islam and looked for work in the new government. The have acknowledged the economic advantages of being a Muslim – way lower tax and advancement opportunities but there were also some who remained Hindu in countryside areas, hating the imposed Muslim government.
The Sultan required more scholars, judges, and administrators to solidify his control of India. He all the more so needed poets, writers, and performers to honor and amuse the new leadership. He looked upon foreigners to occupy these positions. He does not trust Hindus and is afraid they would protest against him. He enlisted foreigners and compensated them with grand gifts and big salaries. Turks, Persians and other Muslims assembled to the new kingdom for rewards. The language of the influential government was Persian which set it apart from the capital city. Ibn Battuta aimed to find work from Sultan Muhammad Tughluq.
Get to know more about the adventures of Ibn Battuta on the second edition of International Festival of Ibn Battuta happening on November 9-12 in the city of Tangier in Morocco. Entitled “Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace”, the theme for this year’s event will be centered on the idea of introducing travel as a means for a global cultural understanding and promoting world wide peace.
Everyone is invited to come and participate in this huge event organized by the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta. There will be colorful outdoor activities such as parades, carnivals, street art exhibitions and cultural shows. They have also prepared conferences, travel exhibitions, film showing and much more. The event has also just released a call for paper as well as volunteer invitation to those who would like to be part of this international travel event.
Visit the event’s official website at http://ibnbattuta.ma/ to know more information.
Mohamed Dekkak
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1