Hoe Napoleon De Sharia Naar Europa Bracht | Vergeten Verleden met Joram van Klaveren | Aflevering 2

In this episode of Forgotten Past, we dive into a forgotten chapter of European history: the story of how Islamic law, Sharia, formed the basis for a large part of our modern legislation. When Napoleon Bonaparte marched his army to Egypt in the eighteenth century, he was deeply impressed by the legal system he found there. Although he never managed to conquer Egypt, he decided to bring something else back to Europe: the way civil law was organized there. This system, originating from the Maliki school of law, became the inspiration for what would later be known as the Code Napoléon—the foundation of civil law in countries like France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. But the influence of Islamic legal doctrine extended even further. The idea of jury trial, which is central today in countries like England, America, and Australia, also has its origins in medieval Sicily. There, European rulers adopted the legal system from Islamic administrators who had governed the island for centuries. The story of Napoleon and the influence of Sharia shows that our Western legal order is not separate from Islam, but is historically interwoven with it. This video is based on the book “Forgotten Past” by Joram van Klaveren, which uncovers thirty forgotten stories about the historical ties between Islam and the West. With sharp insights and surprising perspectives, the book challenges us to look at our shared history with fresh eyes. What does it mean if the roots of our modern world are more deeply connected than we think? And what can we learn from these forgotten stories? Did you find this inspiring? Subscribe for more stories about faith, history, and identity. Let us know in the comments: which forgotten chapter of history would you like to rediscover? #ForgottenPast #spirituality #joramvanklaveren #faith #islam #history #CodeNapoleon #Sharia #EuropeanHistory