Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in the world and share a historical and traditional connection, with some major theological differences. The two faiths share a common place of origin in the Middle East, and consider themselves to be monotheistic.
The effect of the spread of Islam was an increase in trade. Unlike early Christianity, Muslims were not reluctant to engage in trade and profit; Muhammad himself was a merchant. As new areas were drawn into the orbit of Islamic civilisation, the new religion provided merchants with a safe context for trade. The application of sharia—Islamic law derived from the Koran—ensured a certain measure of uniformity in the application of criminal justice. Sharia law protected commerce and imposed stiff punishments for theft and dishonesty. Muslim jurists called qadis were established to resolve disputes through the application of sharia. Merchants were thus provided with a forum for making complaints and having them resolved in a consistent and systematic way. Trade and travel were not as risky or perilous as before and both thrived with the coming of Islam.
From its earliest years, the Senate has jealously guarded its power to review and approve or reject presidential appointees to executive and judicial branch posts. In its history, the Senate has confirmed 126 Supreme Court nominations and well over 500 Cabinet nominations.
Under the leadership of British statesman Edward G. Wakefield, the first British colonists to New Zealand arrived at Port Nicholson. While attempting to land, so many crews were killed by warriors from Maori people, who interpreted the European's exchange trumpet signals as a prelude to battle. The effect of this colonization can be summarized by the statement:
The Maori won legal equality early on but saw their rights taken away over time.
