(Disclaimer: this is not a hate article on Mongolians. Just a reflection on our own history and its people - the Muslims - with relation to our history with them)


The Mongols


A name that was feared during the time of khalifah mu'tasim from the Abbasid Caliphate (1258).. From the east, they came, they conquered the most advanced and largest islamic empire. How did the governing power of the time, could be defeated by a nomadic tribe?

Many may not know of this history.. A history that has been kept secret to all of us. That is why HQ has initiated a private screening of the film "Mongol" directed by Sergei Bordov. A story of how Genghis Khan united his people to rule the Mongol Empire. Movies are known for its commercial value therefore facts could have been distorted. But in this movie, we are able to get a glimpse of how the Mongols lived and how they came about to conquer the islamic empire.




Genghis Khan was not alive when the Mongols conquered Baghdad (the capital city of the entire islamic empire). It was Hulagu, a grandson of Genghis Khan who came to capture, sack and burn Baghdad down. To talk about how they managed to achieve such a feat would be too long for you readers to read. Come talk to me if you want to know. But here, let me just list down the destruction that came about when the Mongols conquered Baghdad:

  • The Grand Library of Baghdad, containing countless precious historical documents and books on subjects ranging from medicine to astronomy, was destroyed. Survivors said that the waters of the Tigris ran black with ink from the enormous quantities of books flung into the river.
  • Citizens attempted to flee, but were intercepted by Mongol soldiers who killed with abandon. Martin Sicker writes that close to 90,000 people may have died (Sicker 2000, p. 111). Other estimates go much higher. Some claim the loss of life was several hundred thousand. Ian Frazier of The New Yorker says estimates of the death toll have ranged from 200,000 to a million.
  • The Mongols looted and then destroyed mosques, palaces, libraries, and hospitals. Grand buildings that had been the work of generations were burned to the ground.
  • The caliph was captured and forced to watch as his citizens were murdered and his treasury plundered. According to most accounts, the caliph was killed by trampling. The Mongols rolled the caliph up in a rug, and rode their horses over him, as they believed that the earth was offended if touched by royal blood. All but one of his sons were killed, and the sole surviving son was sent to Mongolia.
  • Hulagu had to move his camp upwind of the city, due to the stench of decay from the ruined city.


Yes, it was a mournful period. We were at the peak of the world. Then suddenly, everything collapsed. More due to own faults and errors. From then on, we were slowly declining (although there were several great leaders who brought muslims to victory) to the bottom of the pile. Look at us now? Where are we in the world?


Several questions may come to mind. But I hope this has made us wonder a bit more about our own history. A quote I found on history: If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday. A point to ponder.


p.s. All was not sad. Many mongols eventually embraced Islam as they lived among the surviving muslims.


Afzal Alias