Cordoba

We recently visited the mosque, cathedral, and synagogue of Cordoba, Spain recently, enjoying what the Arabs call Al Andalus, and the rest of the world Andalucia. 

This corner of Europe was governed by Muslim caliphates from 711 until 1236 – a time during which Jews, Muslims and Christians lived in harmony under Arab rule.

One of the key reasons for their peaceful coexistence in the Cordoba Caliphate was the social harmony and tolerance fostered by the Arab rulers. The caliphs recognized the importance of maintaining a stable and prosperous society by embracing diversity. They encouraged interfaith dialogue and ensured the protection of religious minorities, including Jews and Christians.

This was achieved through the Pact of Umar, a set of guidelines for non-Muslims, that granted them religious freedom, the right to practice their faith, and protection of their property. This policy allowed all faiths of the “Book” to live side by side, contributing to a vibrant and multicultural society. The caliphs also appointed Jewish and Christian officials to administrative positions, demonstrating their commitment to inclusivity and shared governance.

The Cordoba Caliphate was renowned for its intellectual and cultural achievements, which were greatly influenced by the coexistence of Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The caliphs established libraries, translation centers, and academies that attracted scholars from various religious backgrounds. These institutions became hubs of intellectual exchange, where scholars engaged in debates, translated ancient texts, and advanced knowledge in various fields.

Jewish scholars, such as Moses Maimonides, made significant contributions to philosophy, medicine, and mathematics during this period. 

Maimonides' works, including "The Guide for the Perplexed," were highly regarded by both Muslim and Christian intellectuals. Similarly, Christian scholars like Gerbert of Aurillac, later Pope Sylvester II, studied in Cordoba and brought back Arabic numerals and other scientific advancements to Europe.

The translation movement, led by Muslim scholars, played a crucial role in transmitting Greek, Roman, and Persian knowledge to the Western world. Jewish and Christian scholars actively participated in this movement, translating works from Arabic into Latin and other languages. This intellectual exchange fostered a climate of mutual respect and appreciation for each other's contributions, transcending religious boundaries.

The caliphs' patronage of the arts and sciences attracted artisans, craftsmen, and intellectuals from different religious backgrounds. Jewish and Christian artisans contributed to the construction of palaces, gardens, and public buildings, leaving an indelible mark on the architectural landscape of the Cordoba Caliphate.

After the beginnings of the “Reconquista” or re-conquest of Andalucia by Spanish kings in the 13th century the Caliphate began to crumble, and the last Arabs and Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492. 

Catholic Spain established the Inquisition to impose religious orthodoxy, rejected the Caliphate’s fostering of pluralism and scientific advancement, and reverted to the Dark Ages from which the rest of Europe was about to emerge.

The Islamic world lost as well. 

Rather than continue a path of peace and prosperity, welcoming knowledge from others and fostering a multicultural society, Islamic society began to turn inward and forgo the benefits of science, the arts, and social diversity and plurality.

The West underwent the Renaissance and the Reformation, the industrial revolution, imperial expansion, and developed a sense of superiority over others, including the Muslims who had once overshadowed them with a superior culture enhanced by scientific learning and respect for diversity.

Today, the West faces an Islamic fanaticism in ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the conservative Islamic states including Iran, who are determined to destroy Israel and Jews, triumph over Christians, “recover” Al Andalus, and take over Europe, all in the name of repression and regression to a dark past that should never return.

This is their dream. 

However, they all miss the essential point of Al Andalus – diversity and respect for the cultures and beliefs of others.

Islamic extremism seeks to create a new caliphate based on a backward interpretation of Islam rather than seek the growth and development that comes from replacing orthodoxy with free thinking. It fosters a mentality of hatred towards anything different, and in this resembles those in the West who espouse Islamophobia and antisemitism.

Intolerance is the game at hand, as we see daily in the Middle East, where hatred and violence seem to be the only modus vivendi.

Can this change?

I doubt that it will in my son’s lifetime.

The hatred is ingrained to a degree where it is impossible to reason with those thoroughly indoctrinated in hatred and the superstitious beliefs fostered by religious and political leaders who promote these hatreds for their own purposes.

Meanwhile, places like the Cordoba of the past serve as beacons of what could be if only people embraced their better angels.

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Keep reading: The Left and Antisemitism

Edition: Estefanía Cardeña