ABSTRACT
A proper understanding of Islamic society in al-Andalus necessarily entails a study of the Christian (Mozarab) community within it, particularly in view of the importance accorded to this community in historical treatments of alAndalus; in many respects, indeed, it is an emblematic subject of study. We should also, at the same time, take account of recent developments in Mozarab studies, developments building on the basic position established by 19th century historians.l
It has, however, been noted that some Andalusi Christians were not in fact of Visigothic origin: there were Christians from the Near East, sometimes mentioned in Arabic sources as artisans and specialists in different
If I have perhaps stressed the difficulties of early Christian communities in ai-Andalus, the nature of both the Christian and the Muslim religions provides justification for this.35 The difficulties of being Christian, and of prac-
tising this religion within a Muslim environment, underlie some of the specific characteristics of the communities in question.
