Cover Story JEWS IN MUSLIM EYES

The representation of the Jew in the Arab-Islamic world from colonialism to World War II: deconstructing antisemitism.

A Magazine on

Winter 2018 Vol. 4 - N.1 In a world where more is available than can be known and understood, the reasons why we choose to know one thing over another are conscious or unconscious moral choices.

Oleg Grabar Editorial by Sara Ibrahim, Editor-in-Chief

This is the Start, a Brand-New Friend

We are finally headed to 2018 and it’s now time to take stock of the past years of activity for IWA. 2017 has been a very special year for our magazine: New challenges, an ambitious project for the future, the launch of the genocide and this has consequences on a social, crowdfunding, the decision to go on print and start to anthropological and political level. sell the magazine online and offline, the new website, The most common rhetoric in many Arab-Muslim a renewed social media approach. We decided that it’s countries, for example, is based on the idea of a crucial for us to take IWA outside of the internet and “Palestinian Shoah” which has as much importance, physically promote our project participating in specific dignity and right to be recognized than the historical fairs and events. We will invest part of the money raised Holocaust. That’s why the attempt to deconstruct the with the crowdfunding in this new venture. common Western idea and concept of Shoah, building For all these novelties in progress for 2018, I want to a new one where Palestinian people are at the center, thank my great founder-mate and friend Giulia, who reflects the long-standing fight and competition personally took over the research and development for cultural and social hegemony between Jews and operations to take this project to the next level, Palestinians, but also an extreme attempt to bring the something that I couldn’t do with the same engagement Palestinian cause to world attention. for many reasons. I am so grateful to her and happy to The concept of “Palestinian Shoah” is indeed more a keep running this motivating project together. claim for rights, equality and identity rather than a In this issue, we deal with a thorny topic, concerning provocation. However, we must point out that in Arab how Shoah is seen, discussed, considered and countries, Holocaust is generally not taught at school transmitted in the Islamic world. Unfortunately, we nor is it part of educational programs. So this shows found that there is not much to reflect on when taking the idea of how rooted the avoidance of such a tragic into account Shoah from an Islamic point of view. part of human history is. Simply, the Jews persecution during WW2 is considered In our cover story, we try to reconstruct the concept not historically relevant nor completely demonstrable of Shoah in the way it has been tackled throughout as a horrible mark and crime against humanity. This history in the Arabic- and its leverage on is not only disappointing, but also daunting and today’s society. discouraging. Specifically, what happens in the Arab This is the first issue for 2018. The first issue to be world is that people deny the gravity of this atrocious printed, sold and distributed. A new era is coming for IWA. An era where we grow, together with our readers’ consciousness and desire for information. Let’s stay connected on our new 2018 project!

COLOPHON Unless otherwise noted, the contents of this magazine are the copyrighted property of IWA Editors-in-Chief : Publishing. The partial or total reproduction of this Giulia Gallini, Sara Ibrahim publication is consented for non-commercial Copy Editor: purposes, provided that the original copyright Anna Aufill, Brooke Davies notice and this notice are included and the Graphic Designers: source is clearly acknowledged. Any reproduction or use of all or a portion Raffaello Cuccuini, Andrea Marino of this publication in exchange for financial Contributors: consideration of any kind is prohibited without Mehnaz Afridi, Arielle Blattner, permission in writing from the publisher. Enrico Bonamano, Fatima Zahra Hassan, IWA Islamic World of Art (ISSN 2589-3459) Sandra Kukla and the Turquoise Mountain Project is published by IWA Publishing, Cover: Loodskotterhof 13, 1034CK Amsterdam, NL www.iwamag.org Raffaello Cuccuini, Andrea Marino [email protected] Contents

Cover Story 8-13 14-21 Indo-Persian Jews in Miniature Muslim Eyes

The Indo-Persian miniature painting, the The representation of the Jew in the mathematical principles ruling it, and how Arab-Islamic world from colonialism this traditional art is a source of inspiration to World War II: for contemporary artists. deconstructing antisemitism. by Fatima Zahra Hassan with the support of Mehnaz M. Afridi

In-Depth Litterary Brackets 22-25 26-27 Muslim-Jewish The Militat Omnis Relations Amans Effect during the The great romance “The Palestinian Lover” by Selim Nassib opens to general Middle Ages considerations on the feasibility of finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. The rapid Islamization of the Middle East meant the encounter between Muslim conquerors and non-Muslim subjects, giving birth to multiple by Sara Ibrahim approaches to the otherness. by Arielle Blattner

A Magazine on Islamic art

Winter 2018 Vol. 4 - N.1 IWA Islamic World of Art

28-35 Venice and Islam: a Story of Architectural Influence Many scholars have discussed the influences of Islamic art and architecture on Venetian building. How and why were Venetian architects influenced by that heritage? A deep dive into medieval geo-politicscan help answer these questions. by Enrico Bonamano

Bookshelf 36-37 A History of Muslims, Christians and Jews in the Middle East

Shoah Through Muslim Eyes by the Editorial Staff

Gallery 38-49 Turquoise Mountain by Sandra Kukla and the Turquoise Mountain Project Indo-Persian Miniature Painting of inspiration for contemporary artists. principles rulingit,andhow thistraditional artisasource The Indo-Persian miniature painting, themathematical Painting Miniature Indo-Persian by Fatima Zahra Hassan Visual artist,trained inIndian,Mughal andPersian miniaturepainting. WINTER 2018 | VOL.4 N.1 9 by Fatima Zahra Hassan Zahra by Fatima ) by Calligraphers-Painters (meaning (meaning however no constant or definitive means of modular of modular means definitive no constant or however manuscripts is the production of such proportion for of today. known The illustrated manuscripts also laid down the the The illustrated manuscripts also laid down modern book design and literary for foundations the to binding and From the paper, artwork. designed. was carefully illustrations, all clues to indicate that or references several There exist proportion of modular used system widely was a there has been It miniature painting. in the art of Indo-Persian as the manuscripts such of particular in the study shown Fotuhat-Homayuni arranging the was used for Ahmad, that a module Qadi of manuscripts. and the illustrations text planning compositions, also used for were systems Other The golden period of Indo-Persian miniature painting miniature painting Indo-Persian The golden period of resurgence of interest. Originally is seeing a renewed came illustrations such adorning text, began as artwork as the crux of the itself, even to represent the narrative The beauty the imagination of the reader. to inspire story the golden period lies in their of these from which composition and context, animated and theatrical Within defines this special genre of painting. uniquely many to portray the confines of a small space, artists had as historical and stories such topics, characters complex mystical encounters, battle scenes, mechanical devices, of love. and poems experiences a systematic study of a wide range of paintings from wide range of paintings from of a study a systematic modular periods. Clearly schools and different different was and still is considered an important expression starting point in painting. is stretched, sized and burnished then Once the paper of the composition is set- layout the for the framework guidelines helps determine the Setting out several up. composition of the painting and establishes the spacing well as the position of the of the objects and figures as in the painting. text The particular study of the modular system and and system of the modular study The particular without understood cannot be fully principles of layout The illustrated manuscripts also laid down the foundations for modern book design and literary artwork Indo-Persian Miniature Painting impactof each cultural exchange toformalise theindividual andithasnever been possible an extendedperiodin time, cross-cultural exchange over fluid a very There was of pictorialcomposition.One reasonfor using is quitelogicalifanalysed alongthepracticalterms This combinationofdifferent representative systems individual impactofeach culturalexchange. in time,andithasnever beenpossible toformalise the fluid cross-cultural exchange over an extended period know never been duly chartered. There was a very made by these various influenceshave sofar as we different cultures,although thespecificcontributions came aboutasaresultoftheinteractionbetween surrounding field. No doubtthesemixturesinitially or border while another section“leaked out” intothe one partofthepicture was oftenenclosedby aframe painting. Even moreextraordinary isthe way in which that isperhaps derived fromindigenous Indian Chinese painting with a vertical, obliqueprojection mixed obliqueprojectionthatischaracteristicof The IndianandPersian miniaturepaintersfrequently onto atwo-dimensional picturesurface. transfer thethree-dimensional spatialrelationships projections. All thesesystems ofrepresentation oblique projectionandisometricaxonometric (straight ray) projection,horizontaland vertical These paintings,however, didrely onorthogonal the primordialprinciplesbehindphysical world. representation ofahigher dimension, which reflects accurate portrayal ofthephysical world, but with the Islamic art,for itisnotconcerned with thefiguralor effect, which hasitsrootsintheprinciplesof space asatwo dimensional surface. This isadeliberate is two-dimensional, portraying three-dimensional perspective becausethenatureofminiaturepainting systems. Such drawing methodsdidnotrely on combination ofdifferent drawing anddenotation Indo-Persian miniaturepaintingreliesona composition. (ruler), which isthebasisof was known as Traditionally, thisprocessofsettingoutthepainting master , fromthe Arabic tarah , or thelayout ofthe mastara in obliqueprojectionbutround rectangular buildingsandobjects The miniaturepaintersthus showed round objects. etc., butisinappropriatefor showing objects like doors, windows, arches, method for drawing rectangular Oblique projectionisa very suitable others for showing particular shapes. of thesesystems arebetter than systems mighthave beenthatsome combinations ofrepresentational By Jethro Buck,2014. Forest.The WINTER 2018 | VOL.4 N.1 11 by , by Fatima Zahra Hassan Zahra by Fatima -u Zulaykha Yusuf-u Multiple drawing thesystems allow aartists to tell withcompelling story drama and action, in amany activities small space creating a theatre-like isatmosphere which often mesmerising for the viewer who finds it enthralling Folio from from Folio 1557. , . Freer Gallery of from South Asia, Iran and Turkey Asia, Iran and from South used traditional references have in especially from this art form, palettes and the relation to colour Some made method of painting. naive appropriations of famous paintings. been trained have who Those of in the technique traditionally used such painting have Indo-Persian practice to this own methods in their also taken artists have Modern day. Turkey, Egypt, Syria and to Muslim to Muslim and Egypt, Syria Turkey, it spread to the rest which Spain, from of the Europe. modern artists and painters Many hexagonal or octagonal pools etc. pools etc. octagonal or hexagonal oblique projection. vertical, in using mixed reason for Another been to serve might have systems compositional purposes. allow systems drawing Multiple the artists to tell a compelling action, drama and many with story in a small space creating activities is which atmosphere a theatre-like viewer the often mesmerising for finds it enthralling. who to the non- mostly on the Silk Route. on the Silk Route. mostly World to the non-Muslim Asia, from the Middle East to the From China to South artistic influences from Chinese different Also, West. in the Indian subcontinent, to Iran, arrived civilisation and foundations were laid down in the fields of science in the fields of science laid down were and foundations aspects relevant as other well and mathematics, as with being recorded meticulously of knowledge detailed illustrations including historical accounts and personal chronicles of famous rulers and nobles of the through These manuscripts travelled World. Muslim empires and traders various Muslim ambassadors of to merely glance upon and imagine the golden times. glance upon and imagine the golden times. to merely Timurid and and the emerged as a country the ashes of disappeared in periods of the Safavid Arts. time as the centre of the Book These illustrated manuscripts shaped modern Europe, changes and the script changed, and with that, the that, the with changes and the script changed, and became Turkish Arabic and Ottoman writing tradition of Asia became widespread. Central less practiced and less part of the USSR and the traditional arts and crafts of The legacy past. forgotten nearly were period the Islamic celebrated was no longer and Bukhara of Samarkand future generations books for in history existed and only After the fall of the in 1857, artists started artists started Empire in 1857, the fall of the Mughal After small courts until the independence and for work to In place in 1947. partition of the Indian Subcontinent took were printing presses that for work Iran, artists began to centuries the and 20th printing books. During the 19th within in the field of changes including many saw world made certain drastic Ataturk under Turkey art. Modern The tradition of book-making continued even after the the after continued even The tradition of book-making in the early world started to colonise the Muslim West vanished due to printing it but gradually 18th-century, element of facilities originating out of Europe. One and however, traditional manuscript design persisted took on a which the illustration, that is the painting or life. new Indo-Persian Miniature Painting College of Arts Lahore,Pakistan got intothe well-known National during thecold war.as refugees. Ali his family tofleefrom Afghanistan persecution for decades, forcing to theHazara tribe, which faced during thecold war. He belongs from Afghanistan migrated in aHazara refugeefamily who Ali, borninQuetta,Balochistan. move thepublicisthatofKhadim and atthesametimepower to painter whose work hasthatbeauty One contemporary miniature for theobserver inthe21stcentury. miniature paintingmorerelevant and film. Thissucceedsinmaking references intoanimation, video incorporation ofsuch traditional into new media,includingthe with sizeandsubject via expansion to another level by experimenting the expression oftraditionalarts Lion attacking aBull. Topkapı Palace Museum. Folio from a Kalila wa Dimna , Herat, 1430. Easttothe West ChinatoSouth Asia, from theMiddle world mostly on theSilk Route. from empires andtraders tothenon-Muslim ambassadors of various Muslim These manuscriptstravelled through visited Iraninthe90sandgottohear theIranianartists craft ofminiaturepaintingalong with calligraphy. He Khadim spoke Dari andFarsi andlearnttheart from theregion(including theauthor herself). Ustad Bashir Ahmad, who alsotaughtmany painters studied under theauspicesofaleadingmaster artist in itsprestigiousMiniaturePainting programmeand the he depictedtheprotagonistRustam,afamousherofrom immediately noticedby theinternationalart world when who were working thereatthetime.His work was Shahnama intheform ofademon. WINTER 2018 | VOL.4 N.1 13 by Fatima Zahra Hassan Zahra by Fatima . V Untitled Series, Transition-Evacuation from Khadim Ali, 2015. By

, (The Canons of (The Canons of

, vol. I, appendix I, I, appendix I, vol. , Arts & Crafts of the of the & Crafts Arts Persian Miniature Painting and and Painting Miniature Persian Qanun al-Suwar Qanun , translated into English by M. B. M. B. by , translated into English F. Z. Hassan, “Mughal Persian Miniature Miniature Persian “Mughal Z. Hassan, F. Azzam, in K. Painting”, Practice, Lands. Principles, Materials, Islamic London, 2013. Thames & Hudson, The Houghton Shahnamah The Houghton Press, Cambridge 1981. Univeristy Harvard Titley, M. N. India and Turkey Art of the on its Influence 1983. Austin Press, Texas of University For further reading: further For Sadiq Beg, Painting) Welch, C. Dickson, in M. B. Dickson and S. How encouraging and heartening is is encouraging and heartening How the premise that interest in this “living day. every is growing tradition” from the UK, who now resides in India, resides in India, now who from the UK, paints who Australia Michal Gilikson from scrolls, emerging artists on beautifully Jethro and Alina Gallo based in Italy like are all taking this They Buck from the UK. making it beautiful traditional art form, society. to a global relevant and within the Pakistani community in the in the community the Pakistani within and recognition. world-wide received have USA as well Ali, as Khadim artists like Visual Ambreen Butt, Imran Shazia Sikander, have Wasim Aisha Khalid, Saira Qureshi, established and are now trained in Pakistan Desmon Lazzaro have we Then names. large-scale tapestries showing demon-like demon-like showing large-scale tapestries his tribesmen being portrayed who Rustam, through Taliban the demons by treated like persecution and killings. Asian trends in South Contemporary in Pakistan found painting particularly His Rustam became so famous that he so famous that he His Rustam became series of paintings and continued to paint a JEWS IN MUSLIM EYES

The representation of the Jew in the Arab-Islamic world from colonialism to World War II: deconstructing antisemitism.

with the support of Mehnaz M. Afridi

Director of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center, Manhattan College COVER STORY

JEWS IN MUSLIM EYES JEWS IN MUSLIM EYES

Speaking about Muslim-Jewish relations today is challenging. Relations between the two religious groups are tense and problematic: in the Middle East, as well as in Europe the shadow of the Shoah and the Israel-Palestine conflict interfere with the creation of a mutual understanding between the two groups. The Muslim world has demonstrated various degrees of antisemitism on multiple occasions during the past century. In the first decade of the 21st century, Iranian president Ahmadinejad repeatedly denied the historicity of the Shoah and warned against a Jewish-Israeli plot to rule the world. Before him, in the 1990s, the leaders of Hamas cited the fabricated book The Protocols of the Elders of Zion as an authoritative text and in the 1970s, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia distributed copies of that same text to foreign guests. The book is the milestone text of antisemitic hatred promoting the idea of a Jewish plan for global domination.

Yet relations between the two ‘protected people’. The dhimmi could religions have not always been profess his or her own religion but so challenging: Golden Ages had certain restrictions in society, once existed between the Jewish such as a lower social status, as well and Muslim communities. Take as a particular tax, the jiziya. the example of, medieval Spain Though relations between the and Turkey. two communities had never been completely relaxed, Jews had nevertheless known security and wealth in Muslim lands, particularly In Europe the Shoah has during period of economic growth been studied and analysed thoroughly, mainly after and stability. General political and the 1970s economic destabilization can be named as primary causes for a deteriorated relationship between Muslims and Jews. Traditionally, however, the status of non-Muslims living The 19th century marked the end under Islamic rule was regulated of the Muslim world as it existed by the dhimma contract: Jews historically. The decline of Arab- and Christians, among others Islamic rule coincided with the non-Muslims, acquired the growth and the increased power of status of dhimmi, meaning the Western Christian world. by the Editorial Staff with the support of Mehnaz M. Afridi

elements that would later influence and characterize the relations between Muslim and Jewish communities. Some of the traits of European antisemitism started to permeate Muslim lands when Christian-rooted antisemitism found fertile ground in the local Muslim population who had witnessed the status of the Jews improve upon the arrival of European powers. The spread of European antisemitism within Muslim lands is exemplified by the arrival of the myth of the blood libel.

Soldiers of the 13th Division of the SS “Handschar” read the handbook Islam and Judaism. Summer 1943, Southern France. German Federal Archives, accession number Bild 101III-Mielke-036-23.

With colonialism arrived a whole The blood libel was a fabrication propagated during the Christian new set of ideas in the Middle East Middle Ages. According to this myth, Jews sacrificed a Christian that critically destabilized the society. child at Passover to obtain blood for unleavened bread. Previously The major change brought by new unknown in Middle Eastern Muslim communities, the superstition colonial rulers was in many cases emerged in the 1840s during the Damascus affair. the abolition of the dhimma system, In Damascus in 1840 a Capuchin friar disappeared together with causing deep destabilization in his Muslim servant. The Capuchin community started to spread the relations between Muslims the rumor that the friar and his servant were ritually murdered by and non-Muslims. Christian and the Jews for their blood at Passover. As a result, thirteen Jews were Jewish former dhimmis sought the arrested and subsequently liberated when they were cleared of protection of European powers to the crime. However, rumors continued to circulate that they were improve their own situation, with released for political reasons or because of bribery. many managing to acquire higher If the libel of blood can make some theological sense in status in society. Some colonials Christianity, it is harder to define it within an Islamic context. were motivated to come to the If the base of the Christian religion is the murder of Jesus, the aid of native Jews via romantic innocent son of God, who sacrificed himself to save mankind, no ideology: philo-semitism. such deicide can be found at the core of Islamic doctrine, making On the other hand, Europeans also the blood libel theologically alien in that context. instilled into Muslims negative Another notorious element of European antisemitism that entered feelings towards Jews. During the the Islamic world was the fabricated text called The Protocols of the colonial era, Europeans exported Elders of Zion. Printed for the first time in Russia in 1903, the book to Muslim lands a set of antisemitic traveled Europe and in the 1920s a first edition appeared in Arabic. JEWS IN MUSLIM EYES

The motifs of the book are still to be found in the antisemitic rethoric of Middle Eastern leaders and politicians: the political and economic conspiracy, the interference of Jews in the media and the alleged masonry devoted to disrupt the world as it is.

Such ideas, along with the spread of nationalism, the emergence of the Zionist movement, and socio-economic destabilization caused by colonization, Muslim communities in North Africa and the Middle East became ripe for absorbing antisemitic Nazi propaganda, which exacerbated the tension between Muslims and Jews. The Nazi propaganda machine aimed to depict Germany as a patron and liberator of Islam. This policy to promote an alliance between Nazi Germany and the Muslim world first targeted the Muslim populations of North Africa and the Near

Denial and relativization of the Shoah is just one aspect of today’s antisemitism in the Middle East

East, then soon after in the Balkans and the Soviet Union. Even if Hitler and Nazi high-ranking officials showed an appreciation or fascination for Islam as a religion, the most obvious obstacle of this policy was Nazi racism itself. Disregarding the fact that Hitler’s Mein Kampf postulated the racial inferiority of non-European peoples, German officials were more pragmatic: as early as 1935, Goebbel’s Propaganda Ministry instructed the term anti-Jewish be used instead of anti-semitic. This was to avoid offending Arab sensibilities; as Walter Groß, head of the Nazi Office of Racial Politics, wrote to Iraqi collaborator Rashid Ali al-Kilani, Jews had to be “strictly distinguished” from the peoples of the Middle East. He also added that the Nazi government “recognizes Arabs as members of a high-grade race, which by the Editorial Staff with the support of Mehnaz M. Afridi

The Damascus Affair: Rabbi preparing his defence from the Talmud, a capuchin distant in the doorway. Moritz Daniel Oppenheim (1800-1882), oli on canvas, 1851.

looks back on a glorious and heroic alongside their Jewish fellow-interns, history”. What the Nazi regime and with even more cruelty if they wanted to underline here was that were nationalists. From what we know their fight was against Jews, and of survivor accounts, officials tried not all Semites. to exploit the differences between Nazi Germany began a mobilization Muslims and Jews in order to create campaign targeting Muslims, distress in the prisoners. who were declared as being Despite the fact that part of the the only viable force against Muslim population colluded with such common enemies as “the the Vichy government, there are also Bolsheviks, England, and America, examples of Muslims helping Jews, who were all constantly driven by inside and outside of internment the Jew”, as Himmler described. camps. However, the majority of Many Muslims joined the German the population stood by in apathy, army simply due to opportunism similar to European citizens in and out of a mirage of better life Germany, France, Italy and Poland. conditions, however many were also driven by Nazi ideology. Even if Muslim countries were The “final solution” was brought aware of concentration camps and by the Nazis to Muslim lands, anti-Jewish sentiment during World too. Under the collaborationist War II, little to no public discourse government of Vichy, Arabs or analysis of the topic emerged in were aware of the presence of the Arab world following the war. In concentration, slave labor, and Europe the Shoah has been studied military camps. Also Muslims and analysed thoroughly, mainly themselves experienced the reality after the 1970s. This is mainly due of concentration camps: in French to the emergence of the Arab-Israeli North Africa, Muslim prisoners conflict. The creation of Israel has were tortured and persecuted been linked to the Shoah: the state JEWS IN MUSLIM EYES

of Israel is depicted as a result of the When Zionism was born persecution of Jews in Europe. With in Europe during the the geo-political conflict being cast last decades of the 19th increasingly in religious terms, anti- century, its nature was Jewish propaganda continues to thrive, political since it was fueled by the same misconceptions and influenced by nationalist rhetoric that permeated Muslim lands movements shaping the from the colonial era onward. Old Continent. Theodor Denial and relativization of the Shoah is Herzl conceived “the just one aspect of today’s antisemitism Jewish question” as a in the Middle East. Anti-Israeli problem requiring an propaganda today is similar to the international response: anti-Jewish propaganda of the 1940s the creation of a Jewish that ruled the newspapers in Europe. state for the Jewish The Jew is depicted as a conspirator, people. Even though secretly plotting against the Muslim the end product, the world and obscurely interfering with Jewish state of Isreal, world politics. was the result of secular The fact that the Shoah and Jewish nationalism, with time, persecution are missing in history Zionists have emphasized books within Arab-Islamic lands to a larger and larger demonstrates popular misconceptions degree the religious importance of the state, not least in order The fact that the Shoah to appeal to a larger, and Jewish persecution non-Zionist religious are missing in history community for political books within Arab-Islamic and monetary support. lands demonstrates popular misconceptions in society In turn, Palestinians have increasingly emphasized the Islamic connections to the Holy City, once in society. Discourse concerning again to gain the support antisemitism among Muslims is confined of a wider religious and to academia, with little being done in political community. The practice to discourage mischievous merge of political and propaganda in popular culture or in religious spheres also intrinsically antisemitic, politics. has created a more global and that the roots of today’s The problems afflicting the Middle East conflict, resulting in antisemitism are found within today and Palestinian- Israeli relations deep polarization and a Europe’s influence on Muslim are far more complicated than this general sense of distrust lands from the 19th century however, and cannot be solved simply and hatred, currently onwards. Such antisemitic by studying the Shoah or the origins of found embedded in the sentiment has been sharpened antisemitism. The situation is further two religious groups. by current Israeli politics and complicated by Zionism, the Israeli This, once again, offers therole of Zionism within colonies, the separation wall and general fertile ground for the state of Israel. For this anti-Muslim discourse within Israel. the development of reason, it is undeniable antisemitic discourse that acknowledement of among Muslims antisemitism’s origins in Arab worldwide. countries is necessary in order Islam is not What emerges from an to positively affect relations intrinsically antisemitic historical perspective between Muslims and Jews in is that Islam is not today’s world, on both sides. by the Editorial Staff with the support of Mehnaz M. Afridi

Al-Tunisi’s translation of he Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Cover of the 1961 edition.

Sources

Mehnaz M. Afridi, Shoah through Muslim Eyes, Academic Studies Press, Boston 2017.

Ivan Davidson Kalmar and Derek J. Penslar, Orientalism and the Jews, Brandeis University Press, Boston 2005.

Reuven Firestone, “Muslim-Jewish Relations”, Oxford Research Encyclopaedias, published online Jan 2016. http://religion.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-17 (last accessed: Oct 2017)

Yaron Freedman, “Shoah in the Arab world”, Ynetnews.com, published online April 2012. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4218661,00.html (last accessed: Nov 2017)

David Motadel, Islam and Nazi Germany’s War, The Belknap Press of Harvard University, Cambridge MA 2014. Literary Brackets by Sara Ibrahim, Editor-in-Chief The Militat Omnis Amans Effect

For Selim Nassib, the author of the book “The Palestinian Lover”, the love between the Zionist pasionaria Golda Meir and the Palestinian businessman Albert Pharaon is almost impossible. This great romance opens to general considerations on the feasibility of finding a solution to the Israeli-palestinian Conflict.

Every lover is a soldier. In love, as in war. All is fair in love and war. Love is a losing game. We could continue mentioning many other sayings borrowed from literature and life that associate love with war. In a similar way, the book written by the Lebanese writer Sélim Nassib in 2004, originally published in French by the Parisian Éditions Robert Laffont, deals with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the eyes of two lovers: The pasionaria of Zionism Golda Meir – she is at the center of the political rise of the Jewish community in Palestine and her ideals are so strong and powerfully deployed that she soon becomes the pioneer of the future State of Israel – and the rich and bored Lebanese banker Albert Pharaon, the Palestinian lover. The story takes place between 1920 and 1950, in a prolonged period of time where the reader can sympathize with the protagonists and see the evolution WINTER 2018 | VOL.4 N.1 27 almost impossible almost impossible Europa Editions. New York 2007. Editions. New York Europa A Lover in Palestine, A Lover resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Then, Then, conflict. resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian on Earth, even the strongest force on love, landed we than human nature. stronger This book opens up to hope. the good news? what’s So, end of the conflict in a fair not too late to look for It’s great metaphor, A is the strongest force. the area. Love it? isn’t Minister of Israel from 1969 to 1974. For her inflexible inflexible her For from 1969 to 1974. of Israel Minister was assimilated to Margaret temperament, she of Israel. and called the “Iron Lady” Thatcher Albert of know we do what hand, On the other from a banker and lazy wealthy was a He Pharaon? horses. and passionate about Arab family, prestigious Golda with affair When the secret and captivating behind begins, he decides to quit his house and leave closer and live to Haifa to move and children, wife his to his beloved. overwhelms character a first glance, Golda’s At parallels with go ahead we one, and if Albert’s of Israel, narrated and the history the story between the here is depicting suggest that Nassib would this this However, Palestine. over of Israel power superior of the relationship bring justice to the essence doesn’t of their characters and to the force the two between are”. than they “stronger love, world concept that opens to a powerful very This is a and possibilities for of life interpretations of positive started from an We human beings. to an almost impossible transporting this idea love,

almost almost almost impossible love between Golda and Albert, as as Albert, Golda and between love the Lebanese banker Albert Pharaon. This This Albert Pharaon. the Lebanese banker was revealed years – – that lasted 20 affair was who closest friends, one his by to Nassib Golda all know, we As grandson. Pharaon’s was but she is not a fictional character Meir to be elected as Prime the first stateswoman the dream of Eretz Yisroel come true in front of come true in front of Yisroel the dream of Eretz will contribution – own her with and eyes her the with love abandon herself to a forbidden “enemy”. declared , this is apparently later As Sélim Nassib with secret love of Golda Meir’s the true story with great ideals and a strong personality. a strong personality. great ideals and with understand that she is can immediately You to the to the cause of Zionism more than devoted woman, Jewish man, albeit she – an Ukrainian who children, of two and mother wife unfaithful to see in the US and emigrated to Palestine lived cynical? After all, this would be true even today, today, be true even would all, this After cynical? wars and attempts of negotiation, of years after states on Earth, the most powerful mediated by America. States of the United like are led you fact, is that reading the book Another Albert and disregard with empathize to naturally is a fascinating character, she though Golda, even is nothing more than the Arabs in the and Jews of European coexistence country. final and state that Nassib’s go further we If to the point could be that there is no resolution would it be realistic or conflict, Israeli-Palestinian becomes the mirror for the Palestinian society society the Palestinian for becomes the mirror and the Mandate British by of the time, blurred for a land looking for Jews hordes of of arrival could call home. that they themselves the understand that we Soon enough, impossible prologue, himself defines in his Sélim Nassib the early history of the birth of the State of Israel. of Israel. of the State the birth of history the early the definition for years are crucial In fact, these current where area, whole the of the landscape of assets start to be rooted political and sociological today. them know we as Albert Golda and between The secret love of their dramatic romance, always interlaced with with interlaced always dramatic romance, of their Venice and Islam: a Story of Architectural Influence geo-politics can helpanswerthesequestions. architects influencedbythat heritage?Adeepdiveinto medieval architecture onVenetian building.How andwhywereVenetian Many scholarshave discussedtheinfluences of Islamic artand Influence Architectural a Story of and Islam: Venice by Enrico Bonamano Ca’ Foscari graduatein Islamic studies andarthistory WINTER 2018 | VOL.4 N.1 29 by Enrico Bonamano by Enrico , translated directly from , translated directly Is it possible to describe in more detail the influence of it possible to describe in more detail the influence of Is bridged the and Renaissance Ages that during the Middle a city Venice, on appeared in of original Islamicarchitecture forms Isolated West? East and architecture. Venetian with merged and later Venice fondacoes , which were were residences welcoming , which funduq the St. Mark’s Basilica façade, the crenellations of the the St. Mark’s Palace, as Doge’s palaces such most famous civilian and the d’Oro Ca’ the Arab merchants. traveling the purest Gothic influence from the north, Romanesque Romanesque the purest Gothic influence from the north, and of the most the Byzantine, Italy, typical of medieval interest to us here, the Islamic. been there have century Since the mid-nineteenth detailed attempts to discuss the influence few relatively apart from a few Venice on architecture of Islamic a geopolitical For studies and speeches. hypothetical linking trade center the main Venice, like powerhouse seas to Constantinople Mediterranean and the Adriatic the century, in the 14th Egypt and Syria to Mamluk, and even influence is a given. Islamic remind oneself of Venice Some architectural elements in the pointed arches of Take mosques and caravanserais. Almost everyone knows Venice, the city built on the built on the the city Venice, knows Almost everyone on live or Venice visited never have who those Even water. can conjure up a one-of-a-kind world opposite sides of the The architecture of unique art and architecture. with city inputs: the most diverse is cosmopolitan, merging Venice narrowed especially to Fatimid ‘Saracen’ Egypt. ‘Saracen’ to Fatimid especially narrowed This created a unique and typical style, commonly known known commonly This created a unique and typical style, having Gothic that Otto Demus defined as Venetian as John to Gothic themes. Prior with Saracen taste integrated of the architectural element of the Ruskin and his analysis was assumed that Gothic pointed arches coming arch, it were world and those from the Islamic from the North impossible to distinguish. identical and nearly practically influence cannot be on Islamic discourse such However, limited to a single architectural element since a broader for can be explored historical and geographical context over understanding of cause and effect more thorough and decades, the geography Over this period in history. Venice has been influence touching of Islamic chronology ISLAMIC INFLUENCE? ISLAMIC TO WHAT EXTENT CAN WHAT TO SUCH WE DESCRIBE Venice and Islam: a Story of Architectural Influence and capitalsofreuse,including imported easternmarbles,columns in theMediterranean, andtherefore wanted tolegitimizeitssupremacy Egypt andSyria. Venice neededand Venice’s traderoutesgoingasfar as styles found inthefar reachesof by anew awareness ofbuilding art andarchitecture,accentuated This broughtinchangesto Venetian Venice were looked uponfavourably. introduction oforientalelementsin of Constantinoplein1204the the 13th century. With theconquest at home,alikely occurrencesince and Islamic architecturalelements importing andimitatingforeign possibility of Venetian merchants have beenmadeaboutthe Since the19th century, hypotheses and theeasternMediterranean. the maritimeroutesof Adriatic merchandise fromtheEastthrough city, astrading center for goodsand Venice hasalways beenamercantile relevant geopoliticsinvolved. Islamic territories,includingthe network between Venice and reconstructing therelational of paramountimportancefor Howard’sDeborah work was elements mostly in its elements mostlyinits The VenetiansadoptedArabic civilian architecture have sharedsimilar patterns so Venetianwouldarchitecture Venice andtotheIslamic world, architectural influencetoboth would have transferred thesame 12th centuries,Constantinople phase, between the10th and Mamluk, Egypt.Inthefirst with theEast,particularly with the Venetian basefor trade the Byzantine capitalbecame of Constantinople: and thepartialoccupation even following theCrusades Egyptian city. Trade continued beginning oftrade with the in the9th century atthe very Mark, smuggledfrom Alexandria relics ofthenew patronSaint authentic background for the serve thepurposeofcreatingan area, whichalsoMarcian would Alexandrian elements inthe Mediterranean andtheEastern of the Adriatic maritime routes through the from theeast merchandise for goodsand astrading center mercantile city, always been a Venicehas result ofthecombinationthree artistic elementsfromabroad isthe believes thatthetransmission of whoGoss, references Vladimir spread in Venice. The author may have beentransmittedand attention tohow Islamic elements Deborah Howard pays particular were alsoimported fromtheEast. to architecturalelementsthat that may have even beenlinked common knowledge tiedtothe East colonies would have created by returningtravelers fromthe values andculture.Storiestold made Venice opentoEastern channels ofcommunicationthat East andbackhadcreatedefficient The continuousjourneys tothe adaptation tolight. as ornamentationandan described by John Ruskin the parapetcrenellations,already elements ofmosquesappeared,like in itscivilian architecture. Typical adopted Arabic elementsmostly The Venetiansstyle. evolved into what isknown astypical Egyptian andPersian features that became moreslender introducing After 1180, thisstyle Egypt. in as Photo by Wiggun. Samarkand, 1399-1405. Gur-i AmirMausoleum, WINTER 2018 | VOL.4 N.1 31 by Enrico Bonamano by Enrico

Doge’s Palace, prominent symbol prominent symbol Palace, Doge’s architecture and civil Venetian of one of the most famous buildings along with in Venice relocation of relics of martyrs and saints. seem to repeat infinitely in their multiplicity. multiplicity. in their seem to repeat infinitely figure, and if is a mysterious The designer to a single he corresponds, as hypothesized, could speak of a character we individual of the architecture of his time, near aware geometric and remarkable with and far, conceptual abilities in design, including an in building construction. expertise to the The possible symbolic references of the time are manifold. geopolitical context The process of absorption of eastern elements largely was already Venice in medieval dependent on trade, commerce and on the St. Mark’s Basilica and the bell tower, includes includes Basilica and the bell tower, St. Mark’s numerous elements that presuppose at least the lozenges-pattern one deep look at Islam: façade, portico and the crenellations that passes through our pre-established cognitive pre-established cognitive our passes through in plot to create a set of pieces that overlap In an architectural transmission channel. the addition, it is reasonable to assume that references able to seize such were Venetians dominated since that society, way, in a special of number a large was led by merchants, by as protagonists of trade beyond individuals goods almost eastern their selling Adriatic, the The heart of in the Rialto market. exclusively thus became a hub of influence and the city contributing to the Middle Eastern flavors, commercial creation of a link between and architecture. reality factors: the traveler’s eye, which must be able must be able which eye, factors: the traveler’s form foreign of the to recognize the peculiarity the presence applicability; and its eventual who group, within the traveling of an artist and reproduce it that idea had to remember the presence in the back home; and finally, could who spectators homeland of informed symbolic and historical grasp and accept the values of the elements imported from abroad. oral be filtered through would elements Such writings, and from human travelers’ narratives, what that modifies and transforms memory DOGE’S PALACE, THE PALACE, DOGE’S AND EMBARGO PAPAL ELEMENT THE ISLAMIC Venice and Islam: a Story of Architectural Influence important victory againstthepapacy-imposed Doge’s Palace offered wasthecelebrationofan Another opportunity thatthereconstructionof already rootedintrade with Egyptsince1291. mercantile elite’s politicalhegemony, which was of commercialaffiliationandrepresentationthe 14th century Doge’s Palace hadtoemergeasasymbol a commercialandpolitical viewpoint. Thus, thenew reflect a willtoshowcase Venice’s power, both from Middle Easterngovernmental buildings,could elements athome,along with references from Mamluk, Egypt.Reproducing Islamic architectural a regular basis,inadensenetwork ofexchange with century, Venice was organizingtripstotheEaston Mamluk Sultans.Fromthebeginningof14th architecture ofpower andmagnificenceofthe merchant asanew elite,inanemulationofthe power of Venice in theEastandfigureof the commercialroutestocelebratemerchantile 14th century madeitnecessary tosymbolically recall holy city. The reconstructionofDoge’s Palace inthe image of Venice asagreateasternemporiumand Such sumofeasternreferences hadshapedthe By R.Hay, Saladin Citadel,1333-34. Drawing oftheexterior oftheGreat , Illustrations of Cairo , 1840, pl.19. deep lookatIslam presuppose atleastone numerous elementsthat architecture, includes symbol ofVenetiancivil Doge’s Palace,prominent during ahistoricalperiodin which East atthedawn ofthe14th century less Eurocentricandmoreopentothe mitigated by a Venetian mentality earlier toarchitecturein Venice, albeit predisposition. This canalsobeapplied positioning andonanimperialist colonialism, onideologicalEurocentric exchange with theEast,butalsoon was basedonafascinationofand a dilemma.19th century Orientalism in Venice canhelpusunderstandsuch “architectural orientalism” thatapplied Islamic territories. The conceptof legacy opposedtotrade with its own reality andaChristian Serenissima was crushedbetween relationship with thepope; embargo. Venice hadadifficult affected while Venice’s paradoxical The Venetian economy was severely exchange with anIslamic institution. embargo ofany kindofcommercial In 1320thepapacy imposedan justification for thetradepartnership. relationship through continuousself- contradictions andparadoxes inthe and theIslamic world, which fueled between aChristian statelike Venice The papacy strongly opposedtrade and commerciallife oftheSerenissima. dilemma cametolightinthepolitical between Middle andFar East?Such a vague concept,lackingany distinction others” ofanEastthat was stilla “Western” stateopposedto“the perceive itselfasa“European” or But how couldmedieval Venice Crusades. the Islamic Eastculminatingatthe between theChristian West and defined asthecontrast would become the conceptofEurope was not yet as WINTER 2018 | VOL.4 N.1 33 by Enrico Bonamano by Enrico than 20 years of tribulation, Venice finally finally Venice of tribulation, years than 20 was enhanced in that the city was heavily was heavily was enhanced in that the city dependent on trade and diplomatic contact it remained proud yet the Middle East, with more In 1344, after of its Christian legacy. partnership. In 1320 the papacy imposed imposed In 1320 the papacy partnership. of commercial kind an embargo of any The institution. an Islamic with exchange affected was severely economy Venetian perception of itself paradoxical Venice’s while world the Islamic with and its relationship Venetian and Islamic architecture shared a concept of space conceived as two-dimensional and fluid anyone familiar with the Egypt of that period. with familiar anyone and the Venice a Christian state like between which fueled world, Islamic contradictions in the relationship through and paradoxes the trade for continuous self-justification for ablutions. The Palace, along with its its with along The Palace, ablutions. for of the Basilica’s view crenellations and its complexes the great religious domes, evoke The allusion to Mamluk of the Sultans. of size and delicacy architecture in the color, to been obvious have would the crenellations Venetian trading routes along the Silk Road trading routes along the Silk Road Venetian during the papal embargo. in are found allusions to Islam Further Palace, the internal courtyard of Doge’s well-curb built around a large cistern and recall the which accessible to the public, courtyard of a mosque and its fountain conceived as two-dimensional and fluid. Some Some fluid. and two-dimensional as conceived currents of thought state that the two-toned façades originates lozenge motif of such East, from the palaces of further from even architecture and from Ilkhan and Mongolian This direct Seljuq influence in northern Iran. new grounded in influence could be easily in the St. Mark’s area can be explained area can be explained in the St. Mark’s multiplicity, themes involving through used traditionally repetition and infinity, to decorate in architecture in Islamic portrayal abstract composition lacking any Islamic Venetian and of the human figure. architecture shared a concept of space who were aware of the controversy with the with of the controversy aware were who the symbolic able to grasp were and papacy tradition architectural meaning of an Islamic rooted in Venice. elements found In the concrete, the Islamic to the papacy. The Venetians visited the visited the Venetians The to the papacy. Sultan and succeeded in restoring Mamluk is it know, we As the exchanges. privileged the at this time that the project for precisely its with was conceived Palace Doge’s new wanted to have would allusions that Islamic to those victory this important political convey city was heavily dependent on trade and dependent on trade and was heavily city yet the Middle East, with diplomatic contact In its Christian legacy. it remained proud of of tribulation, years more than 20 1344, after persuaded the pope to grant finally Venice a limited fleet of ships to permission to send special concessions for Egypt in exchange perception of itself and its relationship with with its relationship perception of itself and that the was enhanced in world the Islamic Venice and Islam: a Story of Architectural Influence Iran. This influencecould be easily from directSeljuqinfluenceinnorthern Ilkhan andMongolian architectureand even further East,fromthepalacesof motif ofsuch façades originatesfrom thought statethatthetwo-toned lozenge dimensional andfluid.Somecurrentsof a conceptofspawce conceived astwo- Venetian andIslamic architectureshared lacking any portrayal ofthehumanfigure. composition abstract in decorate to traditionally usedinIslamic architecture multiplicity, repetitionandinfinity, explained through themesinvolving found intheSt.Mark’s areacanbe In theconcrete,Islamic elements architectural traditionrootedin Venice. the symbolicmeaningofanIslamic with thepapacy and were abletograsp who were aware ofthecontroversy important political victory tothose that would have wanted toconvey this was conceived with itsIslamic allusions the projectfor thenew Doge’s Palace we know, itisprecisely atthistimethat restoring theprivileged exchanges. As the Mamluk Sultanandsucceededin to thepapacy. The Venetians visited in exchange for specialconcessions to sendalimitedfleetofshipsEgypt persuaded thepopetograntpermission 14th centuri , late 13th/early of thePorphyrogenitus. Tekfur Sarayı, or Palace the Sultans. Basilica’s domes,evoke thegreatreligiouscomplexes of Palace, along with itscrenellations andits view ofthe courtyard ofamosqueandits fountain for ablutions. The and well-curb accessibletothepublic, which recallthe courtyard ofDoge’s Palace, builtaroundalargecistern Further allusionstoIslam arefound intheinternal Road duringthepapalembargo. grounded innew Venetian tradingroutesalongtheSilk Photo by Kaz Ish. 1400. Doge’s Palace,

Façade onthesquare.

WINTER 2018 | VOL.4 N.1 35 by Enrico Bonamano by Enrico Although it is possible to narrow down the the down narrow it is possible to Although influences chronological and geographic to Fatimid Venice on world of the Islamic by explained Egypt, usually and Mamluk, of architecture that melts that melts architecture of global various different influences and architectures alone Venice unique to A special Venetian fusion fusion Venetian special A various different global influences andvarious different alone. Venice architectures unique to tale. Further complicating matters is the complicating matters is the tale. Further Byzantine elements of separating difficulty likely very it is ones, since from Islamic and architecture of the 11th that Byzantine Islamic by was influenced centuries 12th only Venice architecture, transmitted to Constantinople. being filtered through after what origins of influence, of such Regardless of the is certain is that the skill and fantasy reconstructedwho personality mysterious contributed century in the 14th Palace Doge’s to the construction of a unique Islamic- and to a special world building in the style fusion of architecture that melts Venetian Venice’s commercial routes to Egyptian commercial routes to Egyptian Venice’s Islamic the for harbors, more justification Venice requires influence on architecture in elements Architectural research. further Egypt thanks on loan, imports from were to the presence of artists able to reproduce think about we them once back home. If which Palace, the crenellations of Doge’s recall those of Egyptian immediately mosques, there seems to be a missing Mamluk century the 14th link between crenellations and those of the Ducal a blank space in an evolutionary building, The allusion to Mamluk architecture in the architecture The allusion to Mamluk crenellations of the size and delicacy color, familiar to anyone been obvious have would the Egypt of that period. with A GLOBAL A AND SYMBOLIC ARCHITECTURE