Jadid al-Islam: The Jewish "New Muslims" of Meshhed (Raphael Patai Series in Jewish Folklore and Anthropology): The Jewish "New Muslims" of ... Patai Jewish Folklore and Anthropology) - Softcover

PATAI, RAPHAEL

Softcover

ISBN 10: 081434075X ISBN 13: 9780814340752

Publisher: Wayne State University Press, 2001

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 Based on unpublished original Persian sources and interviews with members of the existing Meshhed community in Jerusalem and New York, this study documents the history, traditions,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."

About this title

About the Author:

Raphael Patai (1911-1996) was a prominent cultural anthropologist, historian, and biblical scholar of international reputation. He was the author of more than three dozen books on Jewish and Arab culture, history, politics, psychology, and folklore.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wayne State University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 081434075X
• ISBN 13: 9780814340752
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 344