Did the fall of al-Andalus reshape Europe forever?

What the report says

Al Jazeera’s Deja Vu episode explores Europe’s Muslim history through the rise and fall of al-Andalus, using that past to ask why Muslims are still often treated as outsiders in Europe today. The program features author and editor Tariq Ali, who discusses how Muslims helped shape Spain, Sicily and broader European culture over centuries before their political and cultural presence was diminished.

According to Al Jazeera, the episode connects the end of al-Andalus with the burning of books and the loss of a shared historical memory. It uses that history as a starting point for reflecting on whether those events continue to influence European politics, identity and attitudes toward Muslim communities. The article does not present the episode as a breaking news report, but rather as a historical and political discussion.

The video was published on 4 October 2026 and runs about 49 minutes. Al Jazeera identifies the episode as part of its Deja Vu series and credits a production team led by Mohamed Hassan, Marcos Bartolome and Sonia Bhagat. In general terms, the piece fits into wider debates about Europe’s relationship with Islam, historical memory and belonging, while staying focused on the legacy of al-Andalus rather than a single current event.