There were no Muslims during the Roman empire. Furthermore, original Syrian and Mesopotamian population were Assyrians and Arameans, not Arabs. Basically, Arabs originated on the Arabian peninsula, but Islam as a religious system was founded in the beginning of the 7th century.
Romans used the term Saracen for the population of Jordan (former Nabataean Kingdom). Nabateans were bedouin tribes of Arabian descent, they inhabited the north-west parts of Arabian peninsula.
Arabs shouldn't be offended by the term Saracen, because there is nothing offensive about it.
However, Muslims should be offended because not all the Muslims are Arabs. For example, Turks, Persians, Albanians and Indonesians are mostly Muslims, but they are not Arabs.
Most people really don't know what that term means. Unless you're into history, and especially around the Medieval/Crusades, you won't know it. I don't think school actually teaches you that they were referred to as the Saracens.
I don't see what's offensive by it, it's a word not used anymore, but still, why is it offensive?
yes, i have
there's a guy on here that uses it
it's an archaic word
muslims do get offended though if you call them by another archaic word - Mohammadan - because they foolishly believe it means they worship Mohammad.
in reality, calling a muslim a Mohammadan is like calling a follower of Buddha a Buddhist, even though they don't worship Buddha. It just accurately reflects and better captures who they follow as their moral example.
I'm not Arab so if someone called me that, my first reaction would be, to be confused. Because I'm not Arabic.
I would not be offended by it since it's a word that describes an Arab person during the Middle Ages who was against the Christian crusades.
I am not Muslim but I have heard this term here on GaG. By a user
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I doubt anyone would really know what it means on the top of their head lol
But I figure it would be a rather strange reference to give someone as the word is like ancient... maybe
Yeah because " an old term by the Romans " I don't freaking calling you ignorant as Europe was freaking ignorant during the Islamic caliphate
Someone on this site. called me that. Never heard of the term before that.
I'm no Muslim, but I've heard the term before. In Age of Empires 2. xD
I chose them sometimes, their elite unit is fun.
i heard the term but I don't know whether it's negative or positive.
I'm not muslim but i am totally offended by the first half of that word!
In my country that refers to people from a particular village. Never got why though.
never heard of this before
I don't think I've heard of this.
I've never heard this term before :o
Muslim here, never heard the term before.
I have never heard this term before.
5% offended
95% confused
It was used till the late middle ages
I'm Muslim not Arab. Wouldn't be bothered
nope.
Never heard of it
Never heard it.
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