Synopses & Reviews
Jadid al-Islam eplores the Meshhed Jewish community, which was attacked by Muslims in 1839. After murdering thirty-six Jews, the Muslims forced the survivors to convert. This event, known as Allahdad, traumatically altered the lives of the Jewish community which had, until then, lived peacefully in the Muslim holy city of Iran for about one hundred years.
Using original, unpublished Persian sources, Patai documents the history, traditions, tales, customs, and institutions of the Jadid-al Islam (the "New Muslims"). Interviews with members of the existing Meshhed community in Jerusalem and New York add insight to the text.
Synopsis
In 1839, Muslims attacked the Jews of Meshhed, murdering 36 of them, and forcing the conversion of the rest. While some managed to escape across the Afghan border, and some turned into true believing Muslims, the majority adopted Islam only outwardly, while secretly adhering to their Jewish faith.
Jadid al-Islam is the fascinating story of how this community managed to survive, at the risk of their lives, as crypto-Jews in an inimical Shi'i Muslim environment. Based on unpublished original Persian sources and interviews with members of the existing Meshhed community in Jerusalem and New York, this study documents the history, traditions, tales, customs, and institutions of the Jadid al-Islam-"New Muslims."
Synopsis
This study documents the history, traditions, tales, customs, and institutions of the Jadid al-Islam--"New Muslims."
In 1839, Muslims attacked the Jews of Meshhed, murdering 36 of them, and forcing the conversion of the rest. While some managed to escape across the Afghan border, and some turned into true believing Muslims, the majority adopted Islam only outwardly, while secretly adhering to their Jewish faith.
Jadid al-Islam is the fascinating story of how this community managed to survive, at the risk of their lives, as crypto-Jews in an inimical Shi'i Muslim environment. Based on unpublished original Persian sources and interviews with members of the existing Meshhed community in Jerusalem and New York, this study documents the history, traditions, tales, customs, and institutions of the Jadid al-Islam--"New Muslims."
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 311-315) and index.