Language:
English
Year of publication:
2010
Titel der Quelle:
Shofar; an Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
29,1 (2010) 95-111
Keywords:
Yaḥyá,
;
Jews History 1800-2000
;
Jews
;
Judaism Relations
;
Islam
;
Islam Relations
;
Judaism
;
Muslim converts from Judaism
Abstract:
Having gained a measure of autonomy for Yemen in 1911, and even to a greater degree after 1918, when Yemen gained independence from the Ottoman Empire, Imam Yahya replaced Ottoman law with Zaidi law. In particular, he reinforced the Zaidi Orphans' Decree, demanding the conversion of Jewish orphans to Islam. Criticizing the explanations for this measure by other scholars (e.g. Eraqi-Klorman), argues that the implementation of of the Orphans' Decree, inconsistent as it was, should be understood primarily in terms of Yahya's expansion of power and legitimacy rather than of a systematic policy of Jewish persecution. Yahya implemented the decree selectively, enforcing conversions when local sheikhs and rulers refused to do so, and revoking a conversion carried out by a local ruler without the Imam's sanction. Shows that in some Islamic societies, like Yemen or Libya, the weakest protected group, the Jews, was usually chosen by rulers to demonstrate their sovereignty over their subjects.
URL:
Click here for fulltext (may be restricted to subscribers)
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
Permalink