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Rageh Omaar explores the contrasts between two very different Ottoman sultans, Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century and the reign of Abdul Hamid II in the 19th century.

Continuing his fascinating journey to rediscover the central role played by the Ottoman empire in Europe and the Middle East, Rageh Omaar explores the huge contrasts in the times of two very different Ottoman sultans. The most famous Suleiman the Magnificent in the golden age of the 16th century and the troubled reign of Abdul Hamid II in the 19th century when the Ottomans were dubbed 'the Sick Man of Europe'. Rageh examines the cultural legacy as well as the physical, religious and political architecture of Ottoman rule to find out what a Muslim world run from Europe was really like. It reveals the backdrop to the relationship between Islam and Europe today, how the Ottomans became central in the power politics of Europe and what could have happened had they succeeded in their successive bids to seize Vienna, then a key European capital.

50 minutes

Last on

Sun 17 Aug 2014 15:10GMT

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Rageh Omaar
Director Faris Kermani
Producer Faris Kermani
Executive Producer Mike Smith

Broadcasts