Milan Vukomanović

Beograd

RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE IN ISLAMIC SPAIN

Summary

This work deals with inter-religious relations between Muslims, Jews and Christians in Islamic Spain from 8-15th centuries. The Umayyad rulers of Spain transformed Cordoba, a sleepy and remote Mediterranean town, into a European medieval center. In the ninth and tenth centuries, this city became the most civilized European center, the „bride of Andalusia" and „ornament of the world". At that time, the Muslim Spain was the most prosperous and cultural part of Europe. Religious and inter-ethnic tolerance was largely practiced there, along with free philosophical discussions, building of libraries, universities, public baths and parks, as well as poetry and architecture. A significant change occurred, however, after the Reconquista, when Christian rulers repossessed the cities of Andalusia, expelling Muslims and Jews who lived together with Christians for 800 years.

Key words: Islam, Spain, religion, tolerance, Andalusia.