In search of the spirit of Al-Andalus

Summary

Spain’s Islamic heritage, rooted in the era of Al-Andaluz, is experiencing a modern revival. After centuries of Muslim and Jewish expulsion following the fall of Granada in 1492, a small group of Spanish converts to Islam, known as conversos, are reclaiming this legacy by building new mosques and promoting civil rights through organizations like Ha Islamica. While the majority of Spain’s Muslims are North African immigrants facing integration challenges, conversos serve as cultural bridges, drawing on historical symbols like the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba to advocate for coexistence and interfaith dialogue. Their efforts reflect both a historical return and a vision of religious tolerance in contemporary Spain.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Spain was under Islamic rule for 800 years, during which it flourished as a center for learning, art, and culture.
• ✡️ During this period, other religions like Judaism and Christianity were tolerated under a system known as 'convivencia'.
• 🚪 Muslim rule ended in 1492 with the fall of Granada, leading to the expulsion of Muslims and Jews and the dominance of Catholicism.
• 🌟 After Franco's death in 1974, interest in Spain's Islamic heritage began to revive among Spaniards.
• 🕌 Spanish converts to Islam, known as conversos, have built the first purpose-built mosque in Spain in nearly five centuries.
• 🖌️ The design of the new mosque draws inspiration from the Mosque of Córdoba, reflecting a uniquely Iberian Islamic identity.
• 🤝 Conversos act as cultural bridges, understanding both Christian and Islamic worlds, despite some skepticism from North African Muslim communities.
• 📈 Although conversos are a small group (~10,000), they hold disproportionate influence through organizations like Ha Islamica.
• ⛪ Mansour Escudero, founder of Ha Islamica, requested permission for Muslims to pray in Córdoba Cathedral to symbolize interfaith coexistence, but the request was denied.
• 🌍 The idea of 'convivencia' extends beyond mere tolerance, promoting cooperation, collaboration, and mutual respect between religious communities.
• 👥 Modern Islam in Spain faces integration challenges, particularly between native converts and immigrant Muslim populations.
• 📜 The historical legacy of Al-Andaluz continues to inspire efforts to reconcile Spain's past with a contemporary vision of religious harmony.

Q & A

What historical period does the Alhambra represent in Spain?

The Alhambra represents the Islamic rule in Spain, specifically the legacy of Al-Andaluz, which lasted for around 800 years before the Reconquista.

What does the Spanish term 'convivencia' mean?

'Convivencia' refers to the historical coexistence of Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Spain, emphasizing living together, though the degree of tolerance is debated by historians.

Who are the 'conversos' mentioned in the script?

'Conversos' are Spanish converts to Islam who are embracing the religion today, connecting with Spain's historical Islamic heritage.

Why was the construction of a new mosque in Spain significant?

It is the first purpose-built mosque in Spain in over five centuries, symbolizing a revival of Islamic culture and heritage, inspired by the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba.

What challenges did the new mosque face during its construction?

The mosque faced neighborhood opposition, zoning restrictions on minaret height, and cultural barriers, reflecting resistance to Islamic architectural visibility in a historically Christian area.

How do Spanish converts to Islam navigate cultural identity?

They often operate between two worlds, understanding both Islamic and Christian cultural frameworks, which can make them cultural bridges but also subjects of mixed perceptions within the Muslim community.

Who was Mansour Escudero and what was his contribution?

Mansour Escudero was the founder of Ha Islamica, an organization advocating for Muslim civil rights in Spain, and he sought to have Muslims pray at the Cordoba Cathedral to symbolize interfaith coexistence.

Why was Mansour Escudero's request to pray in the Cordoba Cathedral denied?

The Catholic Church refused the request, maintaining control over the cathedral, despite its historical Islamic origins and Escudero's vision of shared religious celebration.

What is the historical significance of the Cordoba Cathedral?

Originally built as a mosque in the 8th century, the Cordoba Cathedral was a center of Islamic worship and intellectual activity for almost 500 years, and it now stands as a symbol of Spain's layered religious history.

How does the modern Muslim community in Spain view Spanish converts?

Some North African Muslims view Spanish converts as inexperienced or disconnected from 'real Islam,' but others recognize their ability to bridge cultural understanding and promote tolerance.

What does the documentary suggest about the potential for religious cooperation in Spain?

The film highlights efforts to reinterpret historical symbols like the Cordoba Cathedral as spaces for coexistence, showing that while institutional barriers exist, cultural and interfaith collaboration remains a goal.