Coexistence: the Burden of Spain?

Bibi Tasleema RASHID

Master's thesis

Abstract:

One of the most fascinating out-growths of medieval Spanish history is the period of coexistence born out of the almost 700 year presence of Muslim rule. In al-Andalus - the name that the Muslim rulers called the part of Iberian Peninsula that they occupied from 711-1492 - Christian, Jew and Muslim lived together; creating an image of the past that the present longs for. Even though, the past is never really what what we want it to be; it has not stopped many from looking to Spain and its past in attempt to solve the current world issues that once again pits Islam against the Judeo-Christian dynamic. Is it fair to look to any nation's past to find answers to the present crises; especially when that nation is trying to navigate its own current issues with Islam? Islam, today is seen as intolerant an incompatible with the rest of the world. In al-Andalus, however, the Muslim and his faith was seen as tolerant and open-minded; particularly when stability longevity were synonymous with their reign. Today, the preoccupation with coexistence is meant to depict that these three faiths could and have lived together; that intolerant Muslim can and has been known to be tolerant. Unfortunately, the dangers of looking to the past is the creation of an illusion in the presence. The purpose of this thesis is to uncover the truth about coexistence - what Spanish historians have called convivencia - in attempt to answer the question of whether or not the references to a tolerant past help/hinder Spain's current relationship with its "returning" and growing Muslim population.

Abstract:

One of the most fascinating out-growths of medieval Spanish history is the period of coexistence born out of the almost 700 year presence of Muslim rule. In al-Andalus - the name that the Muslim rulers called the part of Iberian Peninsula that they occupied from 711-1492 - Christian, Jew and Muslim lived together; creating an image of the past that the present longs for. Even though, the past is never really what what we want it to be; it has not stopped many from looking to Spain and its past in attempt to solve the current world issues that once again pits Islam against the Judeo-Christian dynamic. Is it fair to look to any nation's past to find answers to the present crises; especially when that nation is trying to navigate its own current issues with Islam? Islam, today is seen as intolerant an incompatible with the rest of the world. In al-Andalus, however, the Muslim and his faith was seen as tolerant and open-minded; particularly when stability longevity were synonymous with their reign. Today, the preoccupation with coexistence is meant to depict that these three faiths could and have lived together; that intolerant Muslim can and has been known to be tolerant. Unfortunately, the dangers of looking to the past is the creation of an illusion in the presence. The purpose of this thesis is to uncover the truth about coexistence - what Spanish historians have called convivencia - in attempt to answer the question of whether or not the references to a tolerant past help/hinder Spain's current relationship with its "returning" and growing Muslim population.

Keywords

coexistence, convivencia, burden, past, present, Muslim, Christian, Jew, al-Andlaus, Spain

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 20. 5. 2011

Identifier: 115951

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Antonín Kalous, Ph.D.

PALACKÝ UNIVERSITY IN OLOMOUC

Philosophical Faculty

Master programme / field:
Cultural Studies / Euroculture