The star and crescent is the best-known symbol used to
represent Islam. It features prominently on the flags of many countries in the Islamic world, notably Turkey
and Pakistan.
Surprisingly, the symbol is not Muslim in origin. Rather, it was a
polytheistic icon adopted during the spread of
Islam, and its use today is sometimes controversial in the Muslim world.
The crescent and star are often said to be Islamic symbols, but historians say that they were the
insignia of the Ottoman Empire, not of Islam as a whole.
It is important to keep in mind that Islam has few traditional
symbols, and the crescent moon and star are not ones that are recognized by as
traditional symbols by Muslims. The symbol is due to cultral diffusion and the
spread of Islam to the Ottoman turks who ruled a large area and also put the
crescent moon and star symbol on their flag. It has since become associated with
Islam.
represent Islam. It features prominently on the flags of many countries in the Islamic world, notably Turkey
and Pakistan.
Surprisingly, the symbol is not Muslim in origin. Rather, it was a
polytheistic icon adopted during the spread of
Islam, and its use today is sometimes controversial in the Muslim world.
The crescent and star are often said to be Islamic symbols, but historians say that they were the
insignia of the Ottoman Empire, not of Islam as a whole.
It is important to keep in mind that Islam has few traditional
symbols, and the crescent moon and star are not ones that are recognized by as
traditional symbols by Muslims. The symbol is due to cultral diffusion and the
spread of Islam to the Ottoman turks who ruled a large area and also put the
crescent moon and star symbol on their flag. It has since become associated with
Islam.
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