They say 'history repeats itself!' How would 'they' know? Anyone old enough to have experienced this vicious cycle should be dead by now.
However, it is true. Or at least by reading and studying history, we can determine 'what goes around, comes around.'
During the period about 500 years ago, the superpowers of the world were run as monarchies. Elizabeth I (those who saw the movie may remember) ran the little island off mainland Europe, with neighbors like Scotland and Wales always posing a threat. Charles V was the King of Spain, and the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. And Frances I was the King of France, as its first Renaissance monarch.
But from 1520 to 1566, the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, as well as the longest serving of all of the aforementioned, was Suleiman the Magnificent. Under his rule, the empire experienced its greatest growth, not only on land, but at sea as well (see Barbarossa). By the time Suleiman died, the Ottoman Empire spanned across 2 billion acres (doubling during his reign).
Although the Ottomans and Suleiman were the leaders and protectors of Islam, the 'tolerance' exhibited by the Empire was far reaching for its time, and arguably even to this day, with regard to human rights. It was definitely a religiously pluralist state. It also refused to grant primacy of 'sharia' over common law. And it is well admired that unlike some of the rulers of western Europe, the Ottoman sultans never attempted to impose religious uniformity.
In fact, it is widely believed, when the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, wanted to eliminate the Lutheran princes, the Ottomans posed such a threat to his empire that he didn't dare send all of his armies to fight the Protestants, possibly saving the Protestant Reformation.
Of course, Spain had problems with non-Christians as well. The Muslims, as well as the Jews were constantly treated as heretics, even if they had converted en masse to Christianity to save themselves, and many were tortured and killed during such outbursts. I've often wondered if this was yet another example of how 'Genocide' was a way of life back in the Middle Ages. Holy crusades anyone?
But I don't hear anyone wanting to go back that far to reclaim their just due and reparations. Maybe the Armenians, as well as the Turks who claim the same of the Armenians, should allow history be the judge of who owes what to whom.
When the Jews were finally expelled (or escaped) from Spain during the Inquisition, the Ottomans were the ones who welcomed them into the empire, as further proof that the 'real' Islam is not the 'perceived' one, as glorified today. Turkey continued in that tradition during the Holocaust as well, suggesting that the Jews and the Turks are and have been intimately linked.
I believe this religious tolerance by the Ottomans may in some cases have been stricter toward the members of its official faith than those who were outside it. Case in point: Shi'ism and Sunnism. And tales documenting the judgments protecting the rights of the non-Muslim and unwilling cooperator over a Muslim one who wished to impose his religious superiority and right, are aplenty.
Paying extra attention to ensure less is more when it comes to infringing on someone else's human rights, especially if that someone is a non-Muslim. Since it was widely believed God would forgive most sins committed against him, but none against wrongdoing another human being who would be able to demand just punishment for such violations in the hereafter.
In addition to religious freedoms, Suleiman was also responsible for instituting legislative changes relating to society, education, taxation, and criminal law, collectively known as canonical law (or the "Kanuns"), followed by the Ottomans for centuries after they were imposed.
One last interesting fact about Suleiman; he broke tradition and married a harem girl, a 'convert' from Ukraine. Roxelana (or "Anastasia" or "Hurrem Sultan" or "Valide Sultan") bore him five sons, the eldest of which, Selim, ended up as Suleiman's successor.
This is where the pendulum began to swing. Many believe this mixed marriage and the mother's influence over the son, as well as her husband, contributed to Selim's opulent lifestyle, setting precedence to all those who followed him. Selim's addiction to alcohol reduced him to only pay lip service to Islam. Selim's drunkenness and his love of orgies, and other sexual antics were rampant. But here is someone who refutes that vehemently. Regardless, decadence was the order the day, and luxury became the purpose instead of the result.
Lord Kinross' "The Seeds of Decline" and others' account of Selim speaks volumes of the beginning of the end for the Ottomans. Selim's disinterest in military affairs, the abandoning of powers to his 'advisers,' and the influence of 'dark' characters, all of whom were 'converts' who switched allegiances frequently depending on their own personal agendas and greed, all contributed and resulted in the Empire losing control, as well as the end of its superpower status, and finally its eventual defeat from within.
History repeats itself! Fast forward to today, and try to fill in the blanks.
