The Dhimmi: Jews & Christians Under Islam

by Bat Ye'or, David Maisel (Translator)

Indispensable to the Western observer for a full understanding of the complexities of the conflicts in the Middle East, this study analyzes and documents the historical, social, and spiritual realities of the dhimmi peoples -- the non-Arab and non-Muslim communities subjected to Muslim domination after the conquest of their territories by Arabs.

Genres: Islam, History, Religion

444 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1985

About the author

Born Giselle Littman née Orebi, her pseudonym means Daughter of the Nile.

She has provided briefings to the United Nations and the U.S. Congress and has given talks at major universities such as Georgetown, Brown, Yale, Brandeis, and Columbia.

She acquired the English nationality by marrying an Englishman. Now she lives in Switzerland.

Reviews

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any non-Muslim living in an area where Muslim populations are growing ought to read the book as a description of what life will soon be like. Bat Ye'or undertook painstaking research to spell out the commonalities of life for tolerated non-Muslim minorities in Muslim-majority lands, from the time of Muhammad to modern times. She also highlights the points of difference between geographical region or time period. The first book starts with an almost apologetic tone, though Ye'or becomes a bit more objective in the second and third volumes. All three are worth reading. While dry, owing to the heavy research and use of solid historical sources (both Muslim and minority), it explores a heretofore neglected area of study covering the intersection of Islam and non-Muslims.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book happens to be only a small sample of what actually happened to dhimmis in the dark ages of Islamic rule. It stands as a very short overview of the dhimma and its effect on the behavior of ethnoreligious minorities whether it be during Muslim rule or in modern times. Islam's unchanging nature and its resistance to reforms have made this book relevant today as any other day.

Many have accused the author of not having the education to treat such a subject even though Bat Ye'or made it quite clear that she's only raising questions for professionals to treat in each of his/her own field.

Despite this book's controversial status, its aim is not to justify atrocities made by non-Arabs to Arabs, but quite the opposite... it's a manuscript to understand the past and try not to repeat it. It is an attempt to call for equality and liberty between different nations and people, far from the oppressor/oppressed dynamic.

[Lucas]

all tho this book was a fasinating read about the inner workings of islam, i have to point out how the part where bat ye'or said that western culture is constantly self questioning and self critical of it self is really stupid, am sorry but there is nothing self critical or questioning about our mindless western society and its awful cult following and painstaking group think. (also her thinking that in the 3rd world that technology is somehow oppressive to none westerns in the 3rd world can't help but scream racism to me)

[Sasha Wolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

An account of historical maltreatment of Jews and Christians in Muslim territories. It is accurate as far as it goes, at least as far as I can tell, but it is very one-sided, with little or no attempt to provide context. It is at its weakest when it tries to convince the reader that there is (or was at the time of publication) a realistic present threat of an Islamic conquest of Western countries, followed by similar treatment of non-Muslims. There are some useful primary sources in the appendix for anyone studying the history of dhimmi populations, but little of contemporary relevance.

[Eileen Wickham · Rating 2 out of 5]

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[Craig Bolton]

The Dhimmi: Jews & Christians Under Islam by Bat Ye'or (1985)