Christians and Jews in the Ottoman Arab world
Subtitle: the roots of sectarianism
By: Bruce Masters.
Series: Cambridge studies in Islamic civilization
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2001
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 222
Subjects: Christians -- Arab countries -- History.; Jews -- Arab countries -- History.; Islam -- Relations -- Christianity.; Christianity and other religions -- Islam; Islam -- Relations -- Judaism.; Judaism -- Relations -- Islam.; Turkey -- History -- Ottoman Empire, 1288-1918.
Description: "Masters explores the history of Christians and Jews in the Arab provinces of the Ottoman empire and how their identities as non-Muslims evolved over four hundred years. At the start of this period, in the sixteenth century, social community was circumscribed by religious identity and non-Muslims lived within the hierarchy established by Muslim law. In the nineteenth century, however, in response to Western influences, a radical change took place. Conflict erupted between Muslims and Christians in different parts of the empire in a challenge to that hierarchy. This marked the beginning, as the author illustrates, of the tensions which have to a large extent inspired the nationalist and religious rhetoric in the empire's successor states throughout the twentieth century. In this way, Masters negotiates the present through the past."
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 202-217) and index.