Journey of Hisham and Esma

In 791 CE, siblings Hisham and Esma prepare for the Hajj pilgrimage from Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. Despite challenges like a sick camel, they navigate a diverse marketplace and secure a replacement. Hisham aims to learn from scholars, while Esma seeks to enhance her poetry. Their journey is set against the backdrop of a vibrant, multicultural empire. The video also references Mansa Musa's later pilgrimage, highlighting the historical significance of such journeys.

What is the historical significance of the year 791 CE in the context of Hisham and Esma's journey?

• The beginning of the Islamic calendar

• The founding of Baghdad

• The peak of the Abbasid Caliphate's power

• The fall of the Abbasid Caliphate

Why do Hisham and Esma prefer to travel with the larger Hajj caravan?

• To avoid paying for their own supplies

• To ensure safety from dangers like disease and robbery

• To meet the Caliph al-Rashid

• To sell goods in the caravan

What problem do Hisham and Esma encounter at the marketplace?

• The market is closed

• They lost their money

• Their camel has fallen ill and there are no replacements

• They are unable to find food supplies

What is the significance of the marketplace in the story?

• It is where Hisham and Esma find their camel

• It is the starting point of the Hajj caravan

• It represents the cultural diversity of the Abbasid Caliphate

• It is where the Caliph resides

What is Hisham's main goal during the Hajj journey?

• To write a book

• To find a wife

• To study and learn from scholars

• To become a merchant

What are Esma's aspirations during the Hajj?

• To compose poetry and gain recognition

• To learn Islamic law

• To become a renowned merchant

• To find a husband

How does Hisham seek help in finding a camel?

• By visiting the market again

• By asking scholars at the library complex

• By praying at the mosque

• By writing a letter to the Caliph

Who ultimately helps Esma secure a camel for their journey?

• A scholar from the library

• The Caliph's soldiers

• Her older, married cousin

• A merchant at the market

What ritual do Hisham and Esma perform before departing with the caravan?

• A ritual ablution at a public bathhouse

• A farewell feast with family

• A visit to the Caliph's palace

• A prayer at the mosque

What historical event is mentioned as occurring roughly 500 years after Hisham and Esma's journey?

• The Crusades

• The fall of the Abbasid Caliphate

• The founding of the Ottoman Empire

• Mansa Musa's extravagant pilgrimage