Al-Andalusia … Decline of a Plural Culture

I suppose Plural Culture is flourishing in the Land of the Pure.

It has been only 60 years since Hindus were expelled from Pakistan. It has been centuries since the Moors were expelled from Spain.

Don't expect me to join you in crying buckets over the decline of Plural Culture in Spain.

{"In conclusion the decline of Muslims in general and in particular decline of plural society was a complex process which had internal and external causes as explained above. But the basic factors responsible for decline were diminishing Asabiyah, Religious Extremism, Legal inertia, internecine fighting coupled with declining status of women and economy weakened the society from inside which was dealt last and severe blow to its existence by Reconquista which sealed the fate of Muslims in Andalusia and rooting out of a great experience of plural and chivalrous society in Andalusia!"}

Mahmood Sahib,
Thank you for reminding us about the jewel that was Al Andalus. I have been to Cordoba, Granada, Algeciras, and Toledo and was fascinated by the scale and extent to which the Muslims influenced this area. I plan to be there again this year and see Seville, that ruby of the collection of jewels that was Al Andalus. Even Iqbal roamed around the ruins and wrote:

Aye gulsitan-e-andalus
Woh din heN yaad tujhko
Tha teri daaliyoN meN
Jab aashiyaaN hamaara

Thanks,
Salim

I have been to Granada and Cordoba and the remains of the culture are impressive.

It is true that the Emir, Abd-ur-Rahman, extended courtesy as ruler, to various sects of Islam and Ahl-e-Kitab. He bargained with the Christians who held posession of the Cathedral he converted to the famous Mezquita of Cordoba, finally gaining their consent to purchase the property.

Etc.

Was this the work of a typically benevolent Muslim ruler of the times or a prince in exile from the Abbasids trying to save his political clout and retain some power in the unfamiliar Maghreb (West)?

In my opinion, Al-Andalusia was not a "Muslim experiment in pluralism." It was a survival strategy for a Muslim ruler in a plural land. In other words, Abd ur Rahman did what he had to do to survive and prosper. It was a happy set of circumstances which no one party controlled.

Muslim idealism could center itself much more convincingly in the homelands of Syria, Arabia, etc. Here, where Islam is the center and main engine of culture, should we see the flowering of pluralism, tolerance, scholasticism, scientific and artistic progress.

Interesting that Al-Andalus is held up as a great golden moment in the history of Islam. In fact, it is a great golden moment of Islam-in-the-mix of many European factors. When Al-Andalus is held up, it seems to me, this is not an expression of Muslim pride so much as a confession that Islam as predominant sociopolitical factor has been failing since the 12th century and continues to fall short of It's supreme potential.

Sufism in the West is, again, in my humble opinion, an extremely positive movement which retains all of the essentials of Islam without the baggage which has consistently weighed it down all these centuries after the Prophet Mohammad (s) revealed It.

Al-Andalus is not a relic of the past. It is an idea, a movement of liberal and open-minded search for knowledge and truth.

To this day, one can see an experience the vast influence of and deep potential of Islam on Western culture. And example that comes to would be the International Association of Sufism which is based in San Rafael, is decidedly Shia in their approach to Sufism, yet the members just finished a "Secret Santa" celebration of Hazrat Isa ibn Maryam birthday and will hold a Retreat on subjects relevant for therapists as well as spiritual seekers
http://ias.org/featured.html#jan_retreat

Here, there is a completely practical approach to religion which is just as important and relevant to non-Muslims as Muslims.

This is what we need for a future where tribalism and religious us vs. them has completely outlived its usefulness.

I look forward to seeing plural cultures flourish in pakistan, afghanistan and saudi arabia. Till 1000AD, Afghanistand was entirely hindu and buddhist. Till 1600, what is today Pakistan was 80% hindu and buddhist. Saudi Arabia had many christian and jewish communities thru its history, and Mo the prophet had many interactions with them.

I look forward to the time when historic hindu and budhist sites are revived in afghanistan, when hindus can routinely go on pilgrimage to Katas Raj mandir in pakistan and when saudi arabia and other arab nations have dozens of synagogues, churches and hindu temples.

Till then, my friend, this is all bakwaas and "sympathy for muzlim" propaganda. If you admire pluralism, start by implementing in your home. Otherwise, you are exposed as a complete hypocrite and maybe even a closet-islamist - nostalgic for past islamic empires and sovereignty over the infidel.

The impression I am sure unintentioonally you give that it was the pluralism that killed the Muslim cat in spain -- it was the untenable colonialism that did it -- Abdurrahman was the Akbar of Spain -- his empire in an alien land lasted as long as it did -- because of Akberism -- it fell because of Aurangzebism.

good work sir

Re: # 6 thx dear!

Re: # 1 To feel pain of humanity we need heart and when heart is lost, no need to weep!

Re: # 3 It was not survival , it was essence of humanity, Ibne Arabi's understanding of Ultimate reality was certainly not an attempt to survive!

Thanks for the very interesting article!

Re: # 4

I look forward to that day in Gujrat, as well.

Thank to the "brutality" of Ferdinand and Isabella that Spain is more multi cultural than any islamic society has been ever. Had it not, Spain would have been another Turkey at best.

Credit to the spanish people that they are so tolerant to muslim immigrants (including lot of illegal pakis).

Re: # 12 I did,nt know that comparing apples to chillies is also name of logic!

Re: # 12 Read histories written by Spanish people themselves and ask Jews how thye were treated in Spain of 15th century

#11 neembu

How many mosques are in Gujarat? Thousands. How many muslims live in Gujarat? 5 million or about 9%. Gujarati muslims are, on average, wealthier and more educated than their cousins in "secular" states like UP or West Bengal. So learn a few facts before spouting nonsense...

And, yes, Mr. Modi does take inspiration from the cultural genocide of jews/hindus/buddhists/christians in saudi arabia, afghanistan and pakistan implemented by muslims over the last 1000 years.. He admires the various tyrants who attacked non-muslims in the name of islam; he wants to do muslims what their "ghazis" did to non-muslims thoughout south-western asia.

This is why he is widely opposed in India and will ultimately remain limited to Gujarat. At the same time, media and democractic politics will force him to moderate his tone and actions, irrespective of his inner feelings.

Re: # 15Can I know what is the reason that any historical reference or cultural discussion with reference to Muslims evokes mere hatred and bias by secular Indians? Why this bias? facts need to be supported or refuted by factys and logical interpretation , why to be wary of Muslims and hteri cultural contribution to humanity? If Modi like persons are not representatives of Hindus then how come some vested interest bigots can represent Islam? How far we can keep our minds shut and closed to new and fresh ideas? and learn to co-exist with our own identities without mud slinging?