Muslim Spain exemplified relative interfaith coexistence through convivencia.
Evidence
María Rosa Menocal, who has studied the intersections of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim thought in al-Andalus, argues that this society, particularly its intellectual and artistic realms, was characterized by convivencia, or coexistence in relative peace. And while this age was not free of conflict—as Menocal’s detractors have noted—it nevertheless serves as an example of tolerance and relative harmony between peoples of various faiths. — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 55
Categorization
- DEFINE: Introduces ‘convivencia’ as a term of art for Jewish-Christian-Muslim coexistence.
- XREF: Park51/Cordoba House naming uses this history against the 2010 controversy — links to chapter 9. — connects to: Christian communities sometimes preferred Muslim rule to Latin Christian dominion. — Ali Qureshi, The Fall of Constantinople: A Critical…, 54; The heresy view of Islam reached Western Europe via ninth-century dhimmi Christians in Spain — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 133; Islam has varied regionally and adapted to historical transformations. — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 160 (+6 more)
Broader Connections
- The heresy view of Islam reached Western Europe via ninth-century dhimmi Christians in Spain
#expands(0.55) — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 133 - Islam has varied regionally and adapted to historical transformations.
#expands(0.50) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 160 - Jews and Muslims occupied a shared proximity-distancing position in Christian self-definition
#corroborates(0.45) - A Mediterranean cultural discourse seeks to create partnerships beyond conflict.
#exemplifies(0.40) — David Ohana, David Maisel , The Origins of Israeli…, 1448 - Global Muslim practice is internally diverse across sects and regions.
#expands(0.35) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 159