The European construction of Muslims as the ultimate “Others,” of course, was present since the Middle Ages. However, medieval Christians did not necessarily view Islam as an inferior civilization lagging behind the accomplishments of Europe. Rather, as noted in the previous chapter, medieval Europe found inspiration in the achievements of Islamic civilization in areas including philosophy, science, and music.

XREF: Challenges a common assumption that European condescension toward Islam predates modernity; contrasts with the later framing of Muslims as Others referenced in the passage.

Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Intro…, loc. 200