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