{"product_id":"alandalus-in-motion-travelling-concepts-and-crosscultural-contexts-9781897747384","title":"Al-Andalus in Motion: Travelling Concepts and Cross-Cultural Contexts","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eThe essays in this volume explore how al-Andalus has been transformed into a traveling concept, offering a means of engaging critically and imaginatively with questions of religious pluralism, orientalism, colonialism, exile, migration, intercultural contact, and national identity. They illustrate the contemporary significance of the Middle Ages as a site for collaborative interdisciplinary thinking. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 372 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 16 July 2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: King's College London School of Humanities\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen the discourse of a clash of civilizations resurfaces in fear-mongering and dog-whistle politics, particularly in the context of the War on Terror and migration panics, the invocation of al-Andalus, medieval Iberia under Islamic rule, has gained renewed and highly contentious topicality. It is championed and debated as either exemplary models or deceptive myths. The essays in this volume delve into the transformation of al-Andalus into a traveling concept, a place in time that has transcended its original geographic and historical boundaries to become a figure of thought with global reach. They explore how Iberia's medieval past, characterized by the coexistence of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in complex, paradoxical, and productive ways, has provided individuals and communities across different periods and places with a means to engage critically and imaginatively with issues related to religious pluralism, orientalism, colonialism, exile, migration, intercultural contact, and national identity. These essays, which traverse from the medieval to the contemporary world, spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, encompass literary, cultural, and political studies, as well as critical Muslim and Jewish studies. They illustrate the contemporary significance of the Middle Ages as a site for collaborative interdisciplinary thinking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn recent years, the discourse surrounding a clash of civilizations has gained renewed attention, particularly in the context of the War on Terror and migration panics. This discourse often revolves around the perceived challenges posed by Hispanic immigrants to America and Muslim immigrants to European societies. It is within this context that evocations of al-Andalus, medieval Iberia under Islamic rule, have gained new and hotly polemic topicality. Al-Andalus has been hailed as an exemplary model of religious pluralism, cultural exchange, and social harmony, while it has also been criticized as a myth perpetuated by those seeking to undermine Islamic influence and promote Western superiority.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransformation of Al-Andalus:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe essays in this volume explore how al-Andalus has been transformed into a traveling concept, a place in time that has transcended its original geographic and historical location to become a figure of thought with global reach. They show how Iberia's medieval past, characterized by the coexistence of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in complex, paradoxical, and productive ways, has offered individuals and communities in multiple periods and places a means of engaging critically and imaginatively with questions of religious pluralism, orientalism, colonialism, exile, migration, intercultural contact, and national identity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReligious Pluralism:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the key themes explored in the essays is the role of al-Andalus in promoting religious pluralism. During the Islamic rule, Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived together in relative peace and harmony, fostering a rich cultural and intellectual exchange. The essays highlight how this coexistence of different faiths has influenced the development of religious tolerance and understanding in various regions and periods. They also examine how the legacy of al-Andalus continues to shape contemporary debates about religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrientalism:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnother important theme is the impact of al-Andalus on the development of orientalism. The essays explore how the perception of the East, particularly in the Western imagination, was shaped by the interactions between Muslims, Jews, and Christians in al-Andalus. They examine how the concept of the \"Orient\" as a place of mystery, exoticism, and danger was constructed and how it continues to be perpetuated in popular culture, literature, and politics. The essays also highlight the ways in which al-Andalusian culture and philosophy have influenced the study of orientalism and the broader field of cultural studies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColonialism:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAl-Andalus also played a significant role in the history of colonialism, particularly in the Spanish Empire. The essays explore how the legacy of al-Andalus, with its rich cultural heritage and intellectual traditions, influenced the formation of Spanish colonial policies and practices. They examine how the Spanish colonizers sought to emulate the achievements of al-Andalus and how they appropriated its cultural and intellectual resources for their own purposes. The essays also highlight the ways in which the experiences of Muslims, Jews, and Christians in al-Andalus have been erased or marginalized in the historical narrative of colonialism.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExile and Migration:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAl-Andalus also experienced periods of exile and migration, particularly during the Spanish Reconquista and the Inquisition. The essays explore how the experiences of exile and migration have shaped the identity and culture of Muslims, Jews, and Christians in al-Andalus. They examine how individuals and communities have adapted to new environments, negotiated cultural differences, and maintained their religious and cultural traditions in the face of adversity. The essays also highlight the ways in which the legacy of al-Andalus continues to resonate in contemporary debates about exile, migration, and the politics of identity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntercultural Contact:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAl-Andalus was a hub of intercultural contact and exchange, with individuals and communities from different regions and backgrounds coming together to share knowledge, ideas, and cultural practices. The essays explore how the legacy of al-Andalus continues to influence contemporary intercultural encounters and exchanges. They examine how the concept of \"otherness\" and the idea of cultural hybridity have been shaped by the interactions between Muslims, Jews, and Christians in al-Andalus and how they continue to shape our understanding of cultural diversity and global interconnectedness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNational Identity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAl-Andalus also played a significant role in shaping the national identity of Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. The essays explore how the legacy of al-Andalus has influenced the development of Spanish cultural and political identity. They examine how the Spanish colonizers sought to incorporate aspects of al-Andalusian culture and philosophy into their own, and how they used the history of al-Andalus to promote a sense of national pride and unity. The essays also highlight the ways in which the experiences of Muslims, Jews, and Christians in al-Andalus have been erased or marginalized in the historical narrative of Spanish national identity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, the essays in this volume provide a rich and nuanced exploration of the transformation of al-Andalus into a traveling concept, a place in time that has transcended its original geographic and historical location to become a figure of thought with global reach. They demonstrate how Iberia's medieval past, characterized by the coexistence of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in complex, paradoxical, and productive ways, has offered individuals and communities in multiple periods and places a means of engaging critically and imaginatively with questions of religious pluralism, orientalism, colonialism, exile, migration, intercultural contact, and national identity. The essays also highlight the contemporary significance of the Middle Ages as a site for collaborative interdisciplinary thinking, particularly in the context of the challenges posed by globalization, religious diversity, and cultural exchange. As we navigate the complexities of the contemporary world, it is essential to engage with the rich history and legacy of al-Andalus and to learn from its lessons about the potential for cultural harmony, social justice, and interreligious understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 678g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 163 x 240 x 28 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781897747384\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shulph Ink","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":44094575280378,"sku":"9781897747384","price":60.69,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1646156767724_book.jpg?v=1646913605","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/alandalus-in-motion-travelling-concepts-and-crosscultural-contexts-9781897747384","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}