The Star and the Crescent: A History of Jewish-Muslim Relations

The current friction often felt between Muslims and Jews was not always the norm throughout history. Following the emergence of Islam, it was far better to be Jewish in a Muslim country than in a Christian one, and often, people of both faiths have found ways to coexist peacefully and productively. In this course, we’ll delve into this history and prior periods of enmity to gain a more nuanced perspective. Over ten sessions, we’ll examine the commonalities between Jewish and Islamic culture, as well as the sources of tension between these two monotheistic communities, challenging our assumptions and broadening our understanding.

Table of Contents

Lesson 1 - Jewish and Muslim “Biblical” Narratives

Lesson 2 - Cousin or Adversary: Images of Jewsin the Quran and the Hadith

Lesson 3 - Islam in the Mind of the Rabbis

Lesson 4 - Convivencia: A Re-Appraisal

Lesson 5 - Kabbalists and Sufis: Islamic Influence on Jewish Thought

Lesson 6 - Under Suleiman and the Ottomans

Lesson 7 - On the Periphery of Islam – Morocco and Persia

Lesson 8 - Colonial Rule and the Allures of Being Europeanin an Islamic World

Lesson 9 - Nationalisms in Conflict

Lesson 10 - Muslims and Jews in the Non-Islamic World

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