What connected different parts of the Islamic world?

The connection between different parts of the Islamic world was significantly strengthened through trade. Trade networks facilitated not only the exchange of goods such as spices, textiles, and precious metals but also the sharing of knowledge, culture, and technology across vast distances. Key trade routes, including the Silk Road and maritime routes across the Indian Ocean, allowed for interactions among diverse societies, which in turn spread Islamic beliefs, practices, and the Arabic language, creating a sense of unity and interconnectedness among regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe and Asia. This facilitated a vibrant exchange of ideas and fostered the development of a shared cultural and religious identity within the Islamic world.

While madrassas did play a role in education and the dissemination of religious knowledge, and language was a crucial unifying factor among Muslims, trade served as the primary catalyst for connecting various regions economically and culturally. Ethnicity, while relevant in terms of local identities, did not serve as a unifying force across the diverse cultures within the Islamic world to the same extent as trade did.