In joint event in Chicago marking 21 years since establishment of relations between Israel and Spain, Spanish consul general apologizes for expulsion of Jews from his country in 15th century. He also stated that the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 was an "almost barbaric" act.
Source:
Ynet News, Jewish Scene.
But the question is, were the Jews the only ones who faced discrimination and were kicked out of Spain at that time!?
On March 31, 1492, the
Alhambra Decree for the expulsion of the Jews and Muslims was issued. Approximately 200,000 people left Spain. The Muslims of the newly conquered Granada had been initially granted religious freedom, but pressure to convert increased, and after some revolts, a policy of forced expulsion or conversion was also instituted in 1502.
Source:
Wikipedia, Isabella of Castile, Expulsion of the Jews and Muslims.
After the fall of Granada in 1492, the Muslim population was promised religious freedom by the Treaty of Granada, but that promise was short-lived. In 1502, Muslims were given an ultimatum to either convert or emigrate. The majority converted, but only superficially, continuing to dress and speak as they had before and to secretly practice Islam and use the
aljamiado writing system. This led
Cardinal Cisneros to use a more forceful approach, which resulted in an uprising in 1500 to 1502. This was suppressed, and the Spanish authorities took that as a pretext to void the rights and obligations in the surrender treaty. As early as 1508, authorities banned traditional fashion. In 1567,
Philip II of Spain issued an edict requiring Moriscos to give up their Muslim names, their traditional Muslim dress, and even prohibited the speaking of Arabic. They were even told that they would have to give up their children to be educated by Christian priests.
Source:
Wikipedia, Moriscos History.
I agree with the Spanish consul general, that expulsion of the any specific sect from any country is an "almost barbaric" act. In fact, I think the the whole
Spanish Inquisition was a barbaric act. But he has to apologize to the Muslims who faced similar discrimination too. Which is not the case, and no one ever thought of apologizing to them. May be because our regimes have similar Inquisitions in the Muslim countries now a days, so we are supposed to be used to this, and we shall be grateful to the Spanish people for teaching our regimes such thing.
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Moriscos,
Spanish Inquisition,
Aljamiado,
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Gr33n Data
