Tarik THe Moors

The conflict was a bloody one, but Tarik was victorious and soon became master of Spain.... Tarik left a garrison at the foot of Mons Calpe, which the Africans renamed in a compliment to their general, Gebel Tarik — the Hill of Tarik — a name that was subsequently corrupted by the Spaniards into Gibraltar. ”


Gibraltar continued under Moorish dominion for over seven centuries, but was taken by Spain for a period of 24 years in the early 14th century. It was not until 1472 that the Spaniards finally re-captured The Rock. It remained a Spanish possession until the beginning of the 18th century when it fell to a combined Anglo-Dutch force. The Treaty of Utrecht ceded The Rock to the "Crown of Great Britain" in perpetuity.


The Moorish civilization enlightened Europe and brought it out of the dark ages to usher in the Renaissance period. The roots of European culture can be traced back to the Moors whose civilization was not only artistic, scientific and commercial, but also incredibly tolerant of other races and cultures. Many of the Moors' cultural and intellectual influences are still in evidence today. The Rock of Gibraltar owes its name to a man of valor, Tarik ibn Zeyad, a man of extraordinary courage and a true leader