JewsJews, , ChristiansChristians aand Muslimsnd Muslims

in Historyin History

Marek ČejkaMarek Čejka

Middle East today gives the impression Middle East today gives the impression that it is a place of mutual hatred and that it is a place of mutual hatred and conflict of the three great religionsconflict of the three great religions

Middle East disputes are often Middle East disputes are often presented as an interfaith intolerance, presented as an interfaith intolerance, "clash of civilizations", etc."clash of civilizations", etc.

But these are simplistic argument, the But these are simplistic argument, the reality is far more complexreality is far more complex

Until the early 20th century were Until the early 20th century were among Muslims, Jews and Christians in among Muslims, Jews and Christians in the Middle East the Middle East no no major problemsmajor problems

The common basis of The common basis of three "Abrahamic" three "Abrahamic"

religionsreligions JUDAISMJUDAISM is the foundation - the oldest of the three is the foundation - the oldest of the three

religionsreligions 7070.. ADAD beginning of the Jewish Diaspora - Jews beginning of the Jewish Diaspora - Jews

expelled by the Romansexpelled by the Romans CCHRISTIANITYHRISTIANITY was established initially as an was established initially as an

offshoot of Judaism, and later separated and offshoot of Judaism, and later separated and significantly changedsignificantly changed

Christianity Christianity started to bestarted to be dominant in the Middle East dominant in the Middle East ISLAMISLAM - the last - the last in line in line - his birth linked to the life - his birth linked to the life

of Prophet Muhammad (570-632)of Prophet Muhammad (570-632) Islam is considered Islam is considered to be to be the heir of Judaism and the heir of Judaism and

Christianity, but it also considers itself the most Christianity, but it also considers itself the most perfect of the whole series. perfect of the whole series. Islam aIslam accepts both ccepts both previous religion, but considers them to be previous religion, but considers them to be imperfect and attributed a different meaningimperfect and attributed a different meaning for for many phenomenamany phenomena (Jesus) (Jesus)

SimilaritiesSimilarities

Common for Judaism - Christianity - Islam Monotheism Monotheism The worship of the patriarchs, kings and The worship of the patriarchs, kings and

prophets of the Old Testament - Abraham, prophets of the Old Testament - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, David and Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, David and SolomonSolomon

Common for Islam - Judaism The similarity between The similarity between is is apparently higher apparently higher

thanthan between between Judaism and Judaism and contemporary contemporary ChristianityChristianity

kosher-halal,kosher-halal, systems of law (Halacha-Shari`ah)systems of law (Halacha-Shari`ah) clothing, beardsclothing, beards, skullcaps, skullcaps circumcisioncircumcision

The similarities The similarities of Christianity and Islamof Christianity and Islam

prayer, fasting, alms, pilgrimagesprayer, fasting, alms, pilgrimages The Quran in many places recogniThe Quran in many places recognizeszes

Jesus and his teachingsJesus and his teachings Sura 19Sura 19 of Koran of Koran is devoted to the Virgin is devoted to the Virgin

MaryMary

Contentious issues:Contentious issues: Mohammed, Holy Trinity, the Mohammed, Holy Trinity, the

Incarnation of Christ and his Incarnation of Christ and his resurrectionresurrection

Islam and JesusIslam and Jesus MuslimsMuslims contend that crucifixion did not occur. The contend that crucifixion did not occur. The

basis of all of these beliefs is the following verse in basis of all of these beliefs is the following verse in the Qur'an:the Qur'an:

That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah"- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not: Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise

Qur'an, sura 4 (An-Nisa) Qur'an, sura 4 (An-Nisa) versesverses 157- 157-158158

Situation in the Middle East Situation in the Middle East untiluntil emergence of emergence of

ChristianityChristianity The presence of monotheism - Judaism,The presence of monotheism - Judaism,

ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism The presence of various religions and The presence of various religions and

polyteistic polyteistic cults cults Egypt, the Assyrian Empire (9th to 7th Egypt, the Assyrian Empire (9th to 7th

centurycentury BC is)BC is) Biblical Jewish State of Israel (1020 - 926 Biblical Jewish State of Israel (1020 - 926

BC)BC) Babylon (from 1900 Babylon (from 1900 BCBC)) Persian Empire (550-330 Persian Empire (550-330 BCBC)) Empire of Alexander the Great (from 330 Empire of Alexander the Great (from 330 BCBC)) The Roman Empire (70 The Roman Empire (70 BCBC – 395 – 395 ADAD)) Byzantine Empire (395Byzantine Empire (395 AD AD – 1453 – 1453 AD AD))

Christianity in the Christianity in the MiddleMiddle East East

the Byzantine Empire the Byzantine Empire from from 44.. to 7 to 7.. CCenturyentury

The expansion of Islam The expansion of Islam and the emergence of the and the emergence of the

CCaliphate aliphate ((sincesince the 7th century) the 7th century)

Islamic Caliphate Islamic Caliphate

Polytheism is inhibited by Muslims, but Abrahamic Polytheism is inhibited by Muslims, but Abrahamic

monotheisms (Judaism, Christianity) are usually monotheisms (Judaism, Christianity) are usually recognized and their supporters usually not forced recognized and their supporters usually not forced in the Muslim environment to convert.in the Muslim environment to convert.

Tolerance especially in the so-called Tolerance especially in the so-called "golden age "golden age of Islam"of Islam" (8th-13th cent.) (8th-13th cent.)

Christians and Jews in subordinate position of Christians and Jews in subordinate position of Islam - the Islam - the dhimmi statusdhimmi status

Some restrictions:Some restrictions: special taxesspecial taxes could not wear a certain color of clothing, special could not wear a certain color of clothing, special

signssigns not allowed to marry Muslim womennot allowed to marry Muslim women limited ability of their testimony in courtlimited ability of their testimony in court Could not hold some offices.Could not hold some offices.

Hundreds of thousands of Jews and Christians Hundreds of thousands of Jews and Christians living in the Muslim Middle Eastliving in the Muslim Middle East

Quran and tolerant Quran and tolerant relationship relationship to to „„the the People People of the of the Book"Book"

Do not argue with the people of the Do not argue with the people of the scripture (Jews, Christians, and scripture (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) except in the nicest possible Muslims) except in the nicest possible manner - unless they transgress - and manner - unless they transgress - and say, "We believe in what was revealed say, "We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you, to us and in what was revealed to you, and our god and your god is one and and our god and your god is one and the same; to Him we are submitters.the same; to Him we are submitters.

Quran - Sura 29: Spider,verse 46Quran - Sura 29: Spider,verse 46

The status of other religions in The status of other religions in Islam is Islam is usually usually better than better than

that of the Muslims and Jews that of the Muslims and Jews in Christianityin Christianity

Christian antisemtism and antijudaismChristian antisemtism and antijudaism Basic charges: murder of Jesus and the Basic charges: murder of Jesus and the

resulting collective responsibility of Jews for resulting collective responsibility of Jews for his crucifixion.his crucifixion.

pogroms, torture, accusations of ritual pogroms, torture, accusations of ritual murder, desecration of hosts, murder, desecration of hosts, poisoningpoisoning wells wells

Anti-Semitism is particularly strong in the Anti-Semitism is particularly strong in the Catholic Catholic landslands, Protestants are, Protestants are usually usually more more moderatemoderate

Forced conversion of Jews and Muslims in Forced conversion of Jews and Muslims in SpainSpain

After the "Reconquista" (1492) Jews flee from After the "Reconquista" (1492) Jews flee from Spain to Muslim North AfricaSpain to Muslim North Africa

Exspulsion of JewsExspulsion of Jews

The intellectual foundations of Christian Antisemitism

Some maintain that a number of early and influential works by the Church Fathers — such as the dialogues of Justin Martyr, the homilies of John Chrysostom, and the testimonies of Cyprian — are anti-Jewish. Others, like Augustine, argued that the Jews should be left alive, to suffer as a perpetual reminder of their murder of Christ.

Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274)"as the laws say, the Jews by reason of their fault are sentenced to perpetual servitude and thus the lords of the lands in which they dwell may take things from them as though they were their own — with, nonetheless, this restraint observed that the necessary subsidies of life in no way be taken from them...[and that] the services coerced from them do not demand things that they had not been accustomed to do in times gone by. "

Reformation: Martin Luther (1483 – 1546) in his book „On the Jews and their Lies“: „Jews are … venomous beasts, vipers, disgusting scum, canders, devils incarnate. Their private houses must be destroyed and devastated, they could be lodged in stables. Let the magistrates burn their synagogues and let whatever escapes be covered with sand and mud. Let them force to work, and if this avails nothing, we will be compelled to expel them like dogs in order not to expose ourselves to incurring divine wrath and eternal damnation from the Jews and their lies."

ChristianityChristianity versus versus IIslslaammThe Crusades (1095 - 1291)The Crusades (1095 - 1291)

ReconquistaReconquista of Spain of Spain ((finishedfinished 1492) 1492)

TurTurkishkish expan expansion sion Ottoman empire, 1299–1922Ottoman empire, 1299–1922

Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire The peak The peak during reign ofduring reign of Suleiman I Suleiman I. Magnificient. Magnificient

(1520 - 1566)(1520 - 1566) At the same time the first symptoms of stagnation At the same time the first symptoms of stagnation

- Empire loses - Empire loses in in many aspects breath to Europe, many aspects breath to Europe, the effort to modernizethe effort to modernize

Conflict with Persia and Russia, the defeat at Conflict with Persia and Russia, the defeat at Vienna (1683)Vienna (1683)

The loss of European territory in the BalkansThe loss of European territory in the Balkans The alliance with European superpowers (France, The alliance with European superpowers (France,

Britain) and later Britain) and later withwith Germany Germany "Sick man on the Bosphorus""Sick man on the Bosphorus" PoliticallyPolitically – – the harsh centralization, repression, the harsh centralization, repression,

bureaucracybureaucracy From a religious perspective relative toleranceFrom a religious perspective relative tolerance

The The Middle East Middle East on the eve of the on the eve of the WW1WW1

For more see: For more see: http://blizky-vychod.blogspot.com

Marek´s books:Marek´s books: Judaism and politics in Israel Judaism and politics in Israel (2002, 2009)(2002, 2009) Israel and Palestine Israel and Palestine (2005) (2005) Encyclopedia of the Middle Eastern TerrorismEncyclopedia of the Middle Eastern Terrorism

(2007)(2007) Rabbis of our TimeRabbis of our Time (2010 (2010, , co-author)co-author) History of Modern IsraelHistory of Modern Israel (201 (20111) )