TLDR: Who are some of the great explorers of the Muslim world and was there a state sponsored program similar to Spain, Portugal and China?
So I understand the drive for exploration was not necessarily there for countries like Morocco when compared to Portugal. The Portuguese were initially trying to survey the Muslim lands, which eventually led to a drive southward. Looking at the map of where the Portuguese explored is fascinating when realizing the time period that they were operating in.
So i understand the motives for the Iberian countries for exploration and I have limited knowledge on Eastern countries like China sending ships out to explore during the Ming empire.
Was there ever a driving, state sponsored exploration in the Middle East? I would assume the only one capable would be the Ottoman Empire but any insight would be great. Thanks!
Well, state-sponsored (largely military) Ottoman cartography was pretty top notch. The Piri Reiss Map, for instance, from 1513 is one of the best quality world maps from that period and his maps in general were very good.
Were there individual Muslim explorers? Sure. Ibn Battuta has often been compared to Marco Polo, even though Battuta's itinerary was significantly more extensive. Abu Bakr II of Mali outfitted an expedition to sail the seas and was never heard from again, which has prompted quite a lot of quackery that he might have discovered the new world. (He did not.)
That being said, in general terms, in answer to your question:
Was there ever a driving, state sponsored exploration in the Middle East?
The answer would have to be "no." There was no exploration/colonization effort in the Muslim world comparable to what some western European countries were doing in the age of sail. That's not to say, as demonstrated by Piri Reis, that they were not intently interested in the outcome of that exploration.
