Module 6
Lessons 6 and 7
Student’s Book pages 68–70
Communication Workshop Writing a letter
Before reading
Al Idrissi's map
While reading
Al Idrissi
Famous for his achievements in geography and exploration, Al Idrissi was born in 1100 in Sabtah, which is a city in North Africa. His noble ancestors come from Hassan Ibn Ali, who was the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, Peace Be upon Him. He received his education in Cordoba and Marrakesh and dedicated his life to doing research and studying geography.
Al Idrissi used his knowledge to make maps and write books like encyclopaedias about Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Far East. He spent many years working for the King of Sicily and made the best map of the world at that time. In his atlas, he used various codes and colours to indicate countries, geographical features and climates.
He strongly believed that the world was not flat, but spherical. Al Idrissi wrote about explorers from North Africa who sailed far and eventually reached an island. This helped Columbus in his journey westward when he was trying to reach India. Al Idrissi’s success is so important that his achievements are remembered even after centuries have passed.
The text talks about:
- The map that Al Idrissi made was the best at that time.
-The achievements of Al Idrissi.
- Al Idrissi used his knowledge to make maps and write books like encyclopaedias about Africa.
After reading
-What did Al Idrissi dedicate his life to?
He dedicated his life to doing research and studying geography.