The Decline of Eastern Christianity Under Islam: From Jihad to Dhimmitude : Seventh-Twentieth Century
Ye'or's books on dhimmitude and jihad have an essential place in the ecumenical world.(James E. Biechler, Journal of Ecumenical Studies (Philadelphia)Journal of Ecumenical Studies)[I]t must be allowed that behind Muslim thinking was the distinction betweendar al-islamanddar al-harb; and while this may have had little effect on the actual course of events, it seems to have been present in the background. It is at this point that the basic question raised by Bat Ye'or’s book—the condition of the Peoples of the Book under Muslim rule—ties up with contemporary problems…It is of the utmost importance that Muslim jurists should consider whether such treatment of non-Muslims is in accordance with theShari’ahor contrary to it. More generally, does theShari’ahallow Muslims to live peaceable with non-Muslims in the ‘one world’ or must they regard it asdar al-harb?To have an answer to these questions may be a matter of urgency in a few years times.(William Montgomery Watt, Journal of Semitic Studies (London))It seems likely that in the new century of clashing civilizations there will either be heightened conflict or a breakthrough to something like the beginnings of a dialogue… A good place to start is to understand the history that brought us where we are, and to that end I warmly recommend a careful and critical reading of Bat Ye’or’sThe Decline of Eastern Christianity under Islam.(Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, First Things)--This text refers to an alternatePaperbackedition.