Allah’ NOT embroidered in Viking burial clothing – Islamic Art professor

[Shahzaz ud din]

‘Allah’ NOT embroidered in Viking burial clothing – Islamic Art professor

Last week Swedish researchers made a startling claim they discovered the word ‘Allah’ embroidered into ancient Viking burial clothing. These findings have now been questioned by experts claiming the inscription “makes no sense in Arabic.”
Annika Larsson’s findings, which concluded that the inscriptions were evidence that Viking “burial customs were influenced by Islam and the idea of an eternal life in Paradise after death,” were widely reported last week as a ‘historic first’.


Associate Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture at the University of Texas, Stephennie Mulder, however, claims there is a “serious problem of dating.”

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
It’s really so simple that I spent five days thinking, it couldn’t be that Larsson would make so fundamental and obvious a mistake. 7/60


Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

The issue is a serious problem of dating. #Birka #Viking textile is 10th c. Style of epigraphy in Larsson’s drawing is 500 years later. 8/60

y




16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
The issue is a serious problem of dating. #Birka #Viking textile is 10th c. Style of epigraphy in Larsson’s drawing is 500 years later. 8/60


Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

It’s a style called square Kufic, and it’s common in Iran, C. Asia on architecture after 15th c., ex: Safavid Isfahan w/Allah and Ali 9/60 pic.twitter.com/pbGJNFITGk

8:13 AM - Oct 16, 2017

• https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=919899216666939392

Mulder explains that the Kufic script didn’t exist at the time of the Vikings and that even if it did, the inscription still doesn’t mean anything in Arabic.

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
Even if such examples exist, Larsson specifically cites architecture as comparanda. 14/60 http://www.uu.se/en/news-media/news/article/?id=9390 …


Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

2. But let’s assume there are 10th c. Central Asian textiles with 2Kufic. Even so, it turns out Larsson’s drawing doesn’t say ‘Allah’ 15/60

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
2. But let’s assume there are 10th c. Central Asian textiles with 2Kufic. Even so, it turns out Larsson’s drawing doesn’t say ‘Allah’ 15/60


Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

Instead the drawing says للله ‘lllah’, which basically makes no sense in Arabic. 16/60 https://twitter.com/phoenixnl/status/917112486008156160 …

Mulder adds that Larsson’s claim is “based on extrapolation, not evidence,” citing a textile specialist, Carolyn Priest-Dorman, who writes that the interpretation is based on “extensions of pattern, not an existing pattern.”

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
Interestingly, these later European examples of supposed 2Kufic actually also bear pseudo-Kufic, not real Arabic writing. 26/60

Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

4. But the final nail in the coffin *cough* I mean burial ship is that Larsson’s claim is based on extrapolation, not evidence. 27/60

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
4. But the final nail in the coffin *cough* I mean burial ship is that Larsson’s claim is based on extrapolation, not evidence. 27/60
Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

As #Viking textile specialist Carolyn Priest-Dorman puts it, text based on “extensions of pattern, not on existing pattern” 28/60

Priest-Dorman and Mulder’s analysis details how the texts say ‘Allah’ only if you presume that the embroidered fabric was originally twice as wide as it is now and that the pattern was replicated in specific ways, leading Mulder to say that “Larsson’s extensions are entirely conjectural.”

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
But reconstruction drawing by @UU_University textile archaeologist Annika Larsson shows extensions on either side that include a ha. 32/60 pic.twitter.com/1NyQzcqDV2


Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

These extensions practically double width of band. Not mentioned in press accounts: Larsson’s extensions are entirely conjectural. 33/60

Speaking to RT.com, Annika Larsson, a researcher in textile archaeology at the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History at Sweden’s Uppsala University, contested her critics’ claims, saying that there is a “misunderstanding” from Mulder about the images.


“The scripts on the ribbons are like secret messages. First I thought they were copied by someone who didn't understand the message. But the patterns in the ribbons are like a puzzle or a rebus to read,” she said.


“I have spoken to Muslims that tell me that even today sometimes you don't want to say/write/depict the Gods name clearly, so then you can make it like a puzzle, and even mirror it. I think that is what they have done on these ribbons.


“The project is represented in an Exhibition at Enköpings Museum not far from Stockholm, where we have reconstructed two ribbons.


“In this specific case we see a puzzle of two patterns – then mirrored. It is like a hidden or secret message, that is still sometimes used in the Muslim tradition when writing the name of God,” she added.

https://www.rt.com/news/407018-allah...rial-clothing/

 

[The SC]

In old Norse, the word “Vikingr”, is a term used to characterize the famous Scandinavian civilization that existed between the 8th and 12th centuries. While there are many theories explaining why the Vikings decided to navigate from Scandinavia in search for new territory, the most common and famous one is purely economic.

Economic interest in Northern Europe was low since farming lands were not fertile while goods and resources were scarce. Known as fierce warriors, merchants, and passionate explorers, the Vikings were always attracted to goods and resources and have travelled to numerous destinations all over the globe from the North Atlantic Islands to European and Asian territory, and notably, Northern Morocco.

Famous Muslim historian and geographer from Andalusia Abu Abdullah al-Bakri mentions in his “Book of Roads and Kingdoms” (Kitab al-masalik wa-al-mamalik) that the Vikings (to which he refers to as “Majus”) raided the city of Nekor (located in modern day Rif, Morocco) in their North African adventure where they held numerous prisoners as slaves. This supports historical Viking presence in Morocco.

Viking Raids
It is important to note how the Vikings ended up in Morocco following their famous raids in Spain. The Majus, or “Nurman” (North Men) as called by the Andalusians, most probably had no intention to navigate through the Mediterranean Sea before clashing with the Muslim Caliphate of Andalusia. They attacked Lisbon and Sevilla where they took many fortunes, goods, as well as women and children.

The Andalusians undertook a different strategy when they faced the Vikings a second time. Caliph Abdu-al-Rahman the third was advised by famous scholar Ibn-al-Habib to declare war on the Vikings. They decided to switch strategies and stop them on the sea instead of engaging with them in land battle. On the sea coast of Lisbon, canons and archers were installed and used to attack seventy Viking warrior ships in which half were burnt. This particular battle with the Muslim Kingdom of Andalusia took place in 859 and is considered to be one of the most important battles of history, according to Dr. Umar F. Abdullah, founder and director of the Nawawi Foundation based in Chicago, USA. The remaining fleets were therefore forced to escape and continue through the Mediterranean Sea where they eventually ended up in Morocco and spent eight days.

Following their defeat in the coast of Andalusia, many of the Vikings captured were punished while a minority converted to Islam and were allowed to settle in the city of Jerez de la Frontera, in the province of Cádiz.

Based on the historical records from the Fragmentary Annals of Ireland, the Vikings have raided a part in the north of Morocco during the 860’s, where they battled the Berber Kingdom of the Moors. As suggested by the annals, this took place following their famous raids in Britain navigations across the Cantabrian Ocean, which lies between modern Ireland and Spain, where they continued exploring and raiding. When they reached North Africa, they had to face the Berber king of Mauretania (not to confuse with Mauritania, the country) in a bloodbath where numerous warriors from both sides died.

The Berber king lost a hand in this battle which resulted in both parties agreeing to challenge each other the following day. Due to a retreat from the part of the kingdom, the battle did not take place and the Vikings held many prisoners as captives, to be taken back to modern-day Ireland.

In her academic blog, British historian and writer Dr. Caitlin R. Green from The University of Cambridge and Institute of Continuing Education, has viewed the Fragmentary Annals with suspicion, linking them to archaeological evidence discovered in burials that date as far back as the time of medieval Britain and skeleton remains.

The skeleton remains were of rodents (house-mice) and discovered in the Portuguese island of Madeira, not far from Morocco. This is considered evidence of human activity and settlement in the territory and the Vikings are known to take mice with them on their numerous journeys and raids way before the 11th century, when the Portuguese Empire colonized the coastal regions of Morocco.

The Vikings have explored major areas in the world and marked their place in history not only through battles but also in trade and commerce. On the contrary to popular belief, they have not destroyed everything in their path but were also open to communication and trade with other civilizations. Also, one can wonder whether the Muslim Vikings who settled in Andalusia were part of the Moors who were forced to exit Andalusia after the famous Reconquista, where all of the Muslims were driven out of Andalusia.

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2017/03/210206/history-viking-adventure-morocco/

 

[Eagle_storm]

‘Allah’ NOT embroidered in Viking burial clothing – Islamic Art professor

Last week Swedish researchers made a startling claim they discovered the word ‘Allah’ embroidered into ancient Viking burial clothing. These findings have now been questioned by experts claiming the inscription “makes no sense in Arabic.”
Annika Larsson’s findings, which concluded that the inscriptions were evidence that Viking “burial customs were influenced by Islam and the idea of an eternal life in Paradise after death,” were widely reported last week as a ‘historic first’.


Associate Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture at the University of Texas, Stephennie Mulder, however, claims there is a “serious problem of dating.”

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
It’s really so simple that I spent five days thinking, it couldn’t be that Larsson would make so fundamental and obvious a mistake. 7/60


Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

The issue is a serious problem of dating. #Birka #Viking textile is 10th c. Style of epigraphy in Larsson’s drawing is 500 years later. 8/60

y




16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
The issue is a serious problem of dating. #Birka #Viking textile is 10th c. Style of epigraphy in Larsson’s drawing is 500 years later. 8/60


Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

It’s a style called square Kufic, and it’s common in Iran, C. Asia on architecture after 15th c., ex: Safavid Isfahan w/Allah and Ali 9/60 pic.twitter.com/pbGJNFITGk

8:13 AM - Oct 16, 2017

Mulder explains that the Kufic script didn’t exist at the time of the Vikings and that even if it did, the inscription still doesn’t mean anything in Arabic.

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
Even if such examples exist, Larsson specifically cites architecture as comparanda. 14/60 http://www.uu.se/en/news-media/news/article/?id=9390 …


Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

2. But let’s assume there are 10th c. Central Asian textiles with 2Kufic. Even so, it turns out Larsson’s drawing doesn’t say ‘Allah’ 15/60

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
2. But let’s assume there are 10th c. Central Asian textiles with 2Kufic. Even so, it turns out Larsson’s drawing doesn’t say ‘Allah’ 15/60


Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

Instead the drawing says للله ‘lllah’, which basically makes no sense in Arabic. 16/60 https://twitter.com/phoenixnl/status/917112486008156160 …

Mulder adds that Larsson’s claim is “based on extrapolation, not evidence,” citing a textile specialist, Carolyn Priest-Dorman, who writes that the interpretation is based on “extensions of pattern, not an existing pattern.”

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
Interestingly, these later European examples of supposed 2Kufic actually also bear pseudo-Kufic, not real Arabic writing. 26/60

Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

4. But the final nail in the coffin *cough* I mean burial ship is that Larsson’s claim is based on extrapolation, not evidence. 27/60

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
4. But the final nail in the coffin *cough* I mean burial ship is that Larsson’s claim is based on extrapolation, not evidence. 27/60
Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

As #Viking textile specialist Carolyn Priest-Dorman puts it, text based on “extensions of pattern, not on existing pattern” 28/60

Priest-Dorman and Mulder’s analysis details how the texts say ‘Allah’ only if you presume that the embroidered fabric was originally twice as wide as it is now and that the pattern was replicated in specific ways, leading Mulder to say that “Larsson’s extensions are entirely conjectural.”

16 Oct
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem
Replying to @stephenniem
But reconstruction drawing by @UU_University textile archaeologist Annika Larsson shows extensions on either side that include a ha. 32/60 pic.twitter.com/1NyQzcqDV2


Follow
Stephennie Mulder @stephenniem

These extensions practically double width of band. Not mentioned in press accounts: Larsson’s extensions are entirely conjectural. 33/60

Speaking to RT.com, Annika Larsson, a researcher in textile archaeology at the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History at Sweden’s Uppsala University, contested her critics’ claims, saying that there is a “misunderstanding” from Mulder about the images.


“The scripts on the ribbons are like secret messages. First I thought they were copied by someone who didn't understand the message. But the patterns in the ribbons are like a puzzle or a rebus to read,” she said.


“I have spoken to Muslims that tell me that even today sometimes you don't want to say/write/depict the Gods name clearly, so then you can make it like a puzzle, and even mirror it. I think that is what they have done on these ribbons.


“The project is represented in an Exhibition at Enköpings Museum not far from Stockholm, where we have reconstructed two ribbons.


“In this specific case we see a puzzle of two patterns – then mirrored. It is like a hidden or secret message, that is still sometimes used in the Muslim tradition when writing the name of God,” she added.

https://www.rt.com/news/407018-allah...rial-clothing/

Best thread

appreciate.

 

[NoOne'sBoy]

maybe something they copied or some other arabic inscription. who knows. these days i watch the viking show and in one episode they capture some arab girls to bring them to scandinavia.

 

[Hack-Hook]

Guys does anybody have a picture of this Arabic words ?

 

[Srinivas]

Vikings are Muslims just like pyramids are Joseph's granaries.

People of Abrahamic religions and their tricks.

I can only see people of two religions fighting to spread their religion by hook or crook.

Off late there are many Muslim immigrants in scandenevia.

 

[-blitzkrieg-]

i think the thing they thought to be the word 'Allah' was actually a basic sketch of the traditional viking boat.