Here is some background

[jficquette]

Here is some background information on how the Muslim world and its wars of conquest.

They conquered Spain in the 8th century. I would guess no one here would argue that Spain is not part of the Western World.

John

http://www.mideastweb.org/islamhistory.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_history

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/history/chronology/