Download the Book - Islam and Science Fiction

It seems like the world is slowly going crazy. But, whatever
happens, let it not be said that the king of the Moors is not a man of
the world, reasonable and hospitable. He can always get mad or even
later. Al-Ghalib signals his master of protocol to let the visitor in.
"Welcome, dear father, in my humble house. What tidings do
you bring?" al-Ghalib says in passable Spanish.
"Glad tidings, your majesty." Peter Nolasco answers in
understandable Arabic, "Peace proposals from king Ferdinand."
"Peace proposals?" al-Ghalib says, stunned, "From the fierce
warrior of the Reconquista, the zealous leader that has foresworn to
drive us heretics from his homeland?"
"Well, peace proposals is somewhat overstating it, but I am fully
authorized by the kingdom of Castile and Leon to negotiate a
temporary truce between the two parties."
A cease-fire to cement the standoff al-Ghalib thinks, that's more
like my esteemed, scheming opponent. Out loud, he says:
"How do I know you are not setting me up?"
"I know this may sound strange to you, your majesty, but I assure
you our intentions are sincere. Allow me to explain.
"First: did you know that our Christian fasting period, Lent,
begins on exactly the same day as your fasting period, the Ramadan,
this year? Some would say this is pure chance, but I do not believe
that. I believe this was preordained, a subtle sign from above to
change our policies.
"Therefore we propose to keep the truce at least until the end of
Lent, or longer if both sides so agree.
"Furthermore, to prove our good intentions, I have an official
invitation for a delegation from your side to join or pre-Lent
celebrations called Carnival."
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After Peter Nolasco has been led to the guest quarters, al-Ghalib
muses about this new development. There have been more lulls in
their fight over the decades; this is just the first time they are trying to
make it official. Of course, the party that is first ready to strike again
will break it, but for now, it's not a bad preposition.
It gives him time to see if these Englishmen were serious with
their weird proposals. Even if they're not, he could use the time to
reconcile with the Almohads. After the bloody siege of Seville they
should now realise that the two dynasties must stand together against
the Christian coalition if we want to remain on the Iberian Peninsula.
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