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Originally Posted by isotonic  Evidence pls. Not just a blanket statement - for instance wasn't the spread of Islam into SE Asia (Indochina) done by Arab traders via peaceful means?
There may have been episodes of conflict in history like any other conquesting faith, like you said history can be complex - Islamic or otherwise. |
I'm working from memory here. There are historic accounts of events I'm describing from the movement into India, north Africa, Spain and the Balkans. One account was an ancient document in which the writer claims to have witnessed the forced conversion of African tribesmen. (Granted I only saw a translated copy!)
I no longer live near a university library, which I would need to cite chapter and verse. (And I understand why you would like them.) Some of the references I encountered while living and working in Somalia back in the 80's.
I'll keep your question in mind and do so more research.
In any case I would not say all Islamic expansion was by force. Just that it was a part, just as, sadly, forced conversion was part of Spanish and Portuguese expansion.
NTP