Essay On Convivencia

804 Words2 Pages

In the post-doctoral Cohen was in the search of whether or not there was a period of time were Jews, Christians and Muslims lived in peace under the control of the Islamic world. This event was called convivencia and occurred during the Golden Age. The region where this event took place was Spain. The convivencia was a controversial topic due to the differences in religion among the groups. Recent Spanish historians do not take for consideration the event of convivencia due to the disbelief that it actually occurred. Jewish historians have their side of the story where they argue that Jewish-Islamic relations during convivencia were harmonious. There are suggestions that this event of peace among these three groups was impossible based upon religious challenges. Each different version about convivencia has been influence by politics. Cohen was not only able to answer whether convivencia took place, but also demonstrated an extended background about each culture. Cohen emphasizes the roles that each group played during convivencia and the influences and contributions that each one contributed. In Islamic Spain there was a greater tolerance and freedom than anywhere else in that area. Jews and Christians had the option to pay a poll tax to be protected under the same rules as Muslims. Jews were protected from discrimination and had the right to be treated as any other Muslim. In contrast, with Christians-Jew relations there was an immediate social, economic and religious difference. Christians believed that they were superior to Jews. Relations between Christians and Jews were not as engaging as relations between Jews and Muslims. The main idea that kept Jews in a good social position was their influence in local economy. Many Jews...

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...ns between Muslims and Jews were of tolerance and peace. Muslims and Jews rarely had any challenges aside from the religious differences. Muslims and Jews shared a common interest which was trading. Cultural convicencia at some point in time was evident among Christians, Muslims and Jews. The fact that Christians and Jews were able to adapt to the Arabic language and culture created a comfortable environment. The adaptation of Christians and Jews constructed superior understanding cultures. Under the Islamic control and their protection offered to Christians and Jews the convivencia resulted in a period of time were three different cultures were able to collaborate and survive. Because of the comprehensive holy law of Islam and the cultural adaptation, convivencia was beneficial for each of the three cultures as they achieved a better tolerance to other cultures.

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