Muslim rulers of Spain courted bishops because most subjects were Christian

Evidence

The Umayyad emirs and caliphs of Córdoba, like other Muslim rulers, understood the political importance of dhimmi leaders: after all, the majority of their subjects were Christians until well into the ninth century, if not later. So the emirs and caliphs brought the most important bishops into their court, seating them prominently among the courtiers during embassies with foreign dignitaries and during other state occasions. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 490

Categorization

• XREF: Parallels the logic of the law merchant institutions — elites managing majority populations through controlled intermediary figures.