Download the Book - Islam and Science Fiction
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The guards at <strong>the</strong> gate seem at least as bewildered as Watt <strong>and</strong><br />
Krikksen at <strong>the</strong>ir mutual sights.<br />
"These guys don't look like Moors at all!"<br />
"What do we know? Talk to <strong>the</strong>m anyway."<br />
While Watt talks to <strong>the</strong> guards in what he hopes to be fluent<br />
Arabic, <strong>the</strong>ir jaws, that were hanging wide open, clap decidedly shut<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir arms are raised threateningly. This forces Watt to take<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r approach, quickly.<br />
"Allee, hombre, tu es Espagnol?"<br />
This gives a more positive reaction. Watt excuses himself:<br />
"Sorry, signores, but I thought this beautiful city was still in <strong>the</strong> h<strong>and</strong>s<br />
of <strong>the</strong> Moors."<br />
"No, stranger, <strong>the</strong> Reconquista has claimed this city as well."<br />
"My, my, things move fast in this year of our Lord 1252, don't<br />
<strong>the</strong>y?"<br />
"1252? But it is 1247!"<br />
"Slip of <strong>the</strong> tongue, a joke. We from Fl<strong>and</strong>ers make little jests all<br />
<strong>the</strong> time. Therefore, let me introduce us: Duke Watterstraal <strong>and</strong> my<br />
companion Duke Krikkeman, or Manneke Krik, as our beloved people<br />
of <strong>the</strong> town of Brugge call him. In our function as representatives of<br />
<strong>the</strong> Hanseatic League we like to talk with <strong>the</strong> mayor of this major<br />
port."<br />
The Imperfect Ghost<br />
In <strong>the</strong> eighth lunar month of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islam</strong>ic year 644, an old, holy<br />
man returns to his native l<strong>and</strong>. After his long pilgrimage in <strong>the</strong><br />
Orient, Ibn al'Arabi wanted to spend his last days in Damascus in<br />
peaceful contemplation, teaching <strong>and</strong> writing. After finishing his<br />
masterpiece: Fusus al-hakim ("The Bezels of Wisdom") he was ready<br />
to take up his role in <strong>the</strong> afterlife.<br />
But Allah decided he was not ready yet. A mysterious stranger<br />
saved him from <strong>the</strong> brink of death. Shortly after that he had a series<br />
of visions, <strong>the</strong> most intense since <strong>the</strong> revelations in Murcia fifty years<br />
ago that set him on his famous pilgrimage. This time, though, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
instructed him to go back to his l<strong>and</strong> of birth, incognito, humble <strong>and</strong><br />
as an emissary of peace.<br />
The first vision was strange. She didn't look quite as he<br />
remembered her, some of her features were all wrong. In Mecca she<br />
was so much more vibrant <strong>and</strong> enchanting, not <strong>the</strong> static, still picture<br />
he was seeing now. It was almost as if Allah was sending his message<br />
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