Kambojaric
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There are many theories regarding the origin of the star and crescent. It is definietly pre islamic as it has been used by various Persian and Byzantine dynasties. Examples below.
Byzantine coin
Parthian coin
Consequently it is said that after Mehmet Fatih conquered Kostantuniye (Istanbul), The Ottomans adopted the title of Keyser e Rum (Emperor of Rome), and adopted various Byzantine symbols including the Star and Crescent to further cement their claim as the true successors of Rome. As the period of Colonialism was coming to end more and more of the new emerging Islamic nations looked upto the the Ottomans and their Turkish successors as a source of inspiration especially due to their victories over the much hated British at Gallipoli and in their war of independence.
Thus the Star and Crescent came to symbolize Islamic resistance to colonialism and was thus readily adopted by various Islamic countries. The symbol itself has nothing Islamic about it, but it has come to symbolize Islamic might and resistance to domination.
Byzantine coin
Parthian coin
Consequently it is said that after Mehmet Fatih conquered Kostantuniye (Istanbul), The Ottomans adopted the title of Keyser e Rum (Emperor of Rome), and adopted various Byzantine symbols including the Star and Crescent to further cement their claim as the true successors of Rome. As the period of Colonialism was coming to end more and more of the new emerging Islamic nations looked upto the the Ottomans and their Turkish successors as a source of inspiration especially due to their victories over the much hated British at Gallipoli and in their war of independence.
Thus the Star and Crescent came to symbolize Islamic resistance to colonialism and was thus readily adopted by various Islamic countries. The symbol itself has nothing Islamic about it, but it has come to symbolize Islamic might and resistance to domination.