Final answer:
The Mali Empire engaged in trade with the Berbers and Arabs, leading to an exchange of cultures and ideas is true. This interaction was facilitated by the empire's conversion to Islam and its strategic trade routes, which stimulated the economy and intellectual life of the empire. The correct statement is true.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mali Empire did trade with Berbers and Arabs and in the process, there was an exchange of cultures and ideas is true. As the empire became more integrated into the world of Muslim-dominated trade, cultural and religious ideas flowed alongside commerce. The spread of Islam in the region was significantly driven by these interactions, and the conversion of the Mali Empire to Islam facilitated deeper economic and cultural ties with other Islamic regions.
The Mali Empire grew affluent from its strategic position in the trade routes, particularly benefiting from the riches derived from gold and salt trade. Major cities such as Timbuktu and Gao were not only economic hubs but also centers of Islamic scholarship. This cultural and intellectual exchange, spurred by trade, was a hallmark of the empire's interaction with neighboring territories and distant lands.
Moreover, the governance system of the empire facilitated these exchanges as it regulated and taxed the trade, ensuring the empire's prosperity and influence. The adoption of Islam by the empire's ruling elite further strengthened the cultural and intellectual bonds between the Mali Empire and the broader Islamic world.