Islamic Jerusalem and its Christians: A History of Tolerance and Tensions (Library of Middle East History)

Islamic Jerusalem has a special place in the hearts of the three monotheistic religions. Throughout its history it has been the site of tolerance and tensions. "Islamic Jerusalem and its Christians" presents a critical look at historical events during the time of two key figures in the history of Islam: firstly Caliph 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, who played a critically important role in the birth and spread of Islam. Secondly Sultan Salah al-Din, the legendary 'Saladdin' of Western Crusader lore, whose peace negotiations with Richard the Lion-Heart, King of England Abu Munshar brings to life here. This pioneering study uses extensive original research to explore Muslim treatment of non-Muslims in the 7th Century and in the Middle Ages. A valuable source of reference for all interested in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies, Religion and Medieval History, "Islamic Jerusalem and its Christians" establishes and develops new evidence for academic debate. -- Publisher description "King Arthur: the very name summons visions of courtly chivalry and towering castles, of windswept battlefields and heroic quests, and above all of the charismatic monarch who dies but who one day shall return again. The Arthurian legend lives on as powerfully and enduringly as ever. Yet there is an aspect to this myth which has been neglected, but which is perhaps its most potent part of all. For central to the Arthurian stories are the mysterious, sexually alluring enchantresses, the spellcasters and mistresses of magic who wield extraordinary influence over Arthur's life and destiny, bestriding the Camelot mythology with a dark and brooding presence. Carolyne Larrington brings these dangerous women vibrantly to life. Here is Morgan-le-Fay, a complex sorceress of great cunning and skill, immortalised by Helen Mirren's Morgana in John Boorman's film "Excalibur". Here too are the mystical Lady of the Lake; the beguiling Viviane, Merlin's deadly nemesis; and Morgause, Queen of Orkney, mother to Mordred, Arthur's incestuously-conceived son and his bitterest foe. Echoing the search for the Grail by the knights of the Round Table, Larrington takes her readers on an intriguing quest of her own - to discover why Arthurian enchantresses continue to bewitch us. Her journey takes in the enchantresses as they appear in poetry and painting, in politics and the theatre, on the Internet and TV, in high culture and popular culture. Whether they be chaste or depraved, necrophiliacs or virgins, benevolent or filled with hatred, the enchantresses represent a strain of femininity which continually challenges male chivalric values from within. These women are survivors. They outlive the collapse of Camelot and all it stands for. And it is as archetypal manifestations of the feared, uncontainable Other that they continue to inspire admiration, fright and fascination in equal measure. King Arthur's Enchantresses makes a unique contribution to contemporary writing on the Arthurian myths. It will intrigue and delight anyone with an interest in mythology, religion, cultural history and medieval literature."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Islamic Jerusalem has a special place in the hearts of the three monotheistic religions. Throughout its history it has been the site of tolerance and tensions.'Islamic Jerusalem and its Christians'presents a critical look at historical events during the time of two key figures in the history of Islam: Caliph'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (d. 24 AH/ 644 CE), who played a critically important role in the birth and spread of Islam, and Sultan Salah al-Din (d. 589 AH/ 1193 CE) the legendary'Saladdin'of Western Crusader lore, during and after the first and second Muslim conquests of Islamic Jerusalem. This pioneering study uses extensive primary research to explore Muslim treatment of non-Muslims in the 7th Century and in the Middle Ages, while also looking in detail at the situation of Christians in Islamic Jerusalem and their reaction and attitude to conquest. He analyses accounts of the communication between Salah al-Din and the Crusaders and the peace negotiations between Salah al-Din and Richard the Lion-Heart, King of England. In doing so Abu Munshar counters many western and particularly orientalist writers who have portrayed Muslim treatment of Christians, after the first and second Islamic conquests, as similar to any occupation that Jerusalem has witnessed during its long history; that Islamic conquest in these two periods turned the life of non-Muslims into complete disarray.A valuable source of reference for all interested in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies, religion, medieval history and international relations studies,'Islamic Jerusalem and its Christians'provides a fascinating insight into how Muslim tolerance of Christians was achieved in Islamic Jerusalem. Jerusalem occupies a unique and perilous position, as the place in which the three monotheistic religions overlap and collide. For those who have lived in it, the history of this much contested city is one of both tolerance and tension. Maher Abu-Munshar explores Muslim treatment of non-Muslims, critically comparing the periods of the two Islamic conquests of Jerusalem. Caliph 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab conquered the city in the 7th century, and Sultan Salah al-Din, the legendary 'Saladdin' of Western Crusader lore, took back Jerusalem in the Middle Ages. _x000D__x000D_Abu-Munshar counters western a King Arthur summons visions of courtly chivalry, towering castles, windswept battlefields, heroic quests, and above all of the monarch who dies but who one day shall return. The Arthurian legend lives on as powerfully and enduringly as ever. Yet central to these stories are the mysterious, sexually alluring enchantresses - spellcasters, mistresses of magic who wield extraordinary influence over Arthur's life and destiny. Carolyne Larrington takes her readers on a quest to discover why these dangerous women continue to bewitch us. She explores them as they appear in poetry and painting, on the Islamic Sources And Treatment Of Non-muslims -- ʻumar's Treatment Of Christians -- ʻumar And The Christians Of Islamic Jerusalem -- Salah Al-din's Treatment Of Christians -- Salah Al-din And The Christians Of Islamic Jerusalem. Maher Y. Abu-munshar. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [219]-235) And Index. "A valuable source of reference for all interested in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies, religion, medieval history and international relations studies, Islamic Jerusalem and its Christians provides an insight into how Muslim tolerance of Christians was achieved in Islamic Jerusalem."--Jacket