It is widely accepted that Spain shares profound historical, cultural, and civilizational ties with the Arab-Islamic world, spanning more than 2,500 years. At the heart of this relationship lies Al-Andalus, a unique civilizational intersection that has profoundly shaped the collective identity of both sides.
This unparalleled legacy places Spain in a unique position compared to other European nations, which did not experience direct and sustained interactions with Arabs and Islam.
If we were to summarize this relationship in a single word, it would be “Al-Andalus”—a term that carries deep historical connotations and cultural dimensions, often sparking debate and division within Spanish intellectual circles. The Andalusian memory remains central to any discussion about Arab culture in Spain, as certain groups invoke the “Andalusian question” in contemporary debates on Arab and Islamic presence, assessing it through a modern lens while disregarding its historical context.
The Complex Evolution of Spanish-Arab Relations
Spanish-Arab relations have oscillated between confrontation and dialogue, particularly following the fall of Al-Andalus in the 15th century. This turning point had a profound impact on these relations, influencing subsequent encounters—whether through military confrontations with the Ottoman Empire in the Mediterranean during the 16th and 17th centuries or through Spain’s later interactions with North African nations.
The Spanish Catholic Church played a pivotal role in eradicating Islam from Al-Andalus, beginning with the expulsion of the Jews, followed by the imposition of oppressive laws against Muslims, culminating in the final expulsion of the Moriscos in 1615.
Al-Andalus: A Contested Historical Identity
The Andalusian legacy has not only shaped Spain’s relationship with Arabs and Muslims but has also remained a subject of internal Spanish debate since the 19th century. Some Spanish intellectuals reject the Andalusian period, viewing it as a deviation from the “true Spanish identity,” while others acknowledge it as an integral part of Spain’s national heritage.
This divergence has led to demands for preserving Islamic monuments and examining Andalusian history with a more balanced perspective. Ironically, some secular factions opposed to the Catholic Church have been more receptive to acknowledging this legacy than conservative religious circles tied to Spanish nationalism.
These contradictions have resulted in an ideologization of the Andalusian discourse, making it a contentious subject prone to conflicting interpretations that often lack scholarly objectivity. One of the central debates is the interfaith coexistence under Islamic rule, where some narratives romanticize Al-Andalus as a model of the “three civilizations”—Islamic, Christian, and Jewish—contributing equally to its development.
Revising History: The Exaggeration of Jewish Contributions to Andalusian Civilization
In recent years, there has been a growing trend aimed at amplifying the Jewish role in Andalusian civilization while minimizing the Islamic influence. This historical revisionism seeks to reshape public memory by recasting the Jewish presence in Al-Andalus as disproportionately influential, often at the expense of historical accuracy.
This movement has gained momentum across various Andalusian cities, where a coordinated cultural invasion is taking place, raising concerns among academics, cultural institutions, and historians.
For years, concerted efforts have been made to persuade Spanish municipalities and governmental bodies to “revive Jewish heritage” under the pretext of restoring the legacy of “Sephardic Jews” (descendants of Jewish communities in Al-Andalus). These efforts, backed by pro-Israel lobbying groups, push for a revised reading of Andalusian history that accentuates the Jewish presence while downplaying the Islamic identity of Andalusian cities, despite the overwhelming historical and architectural evidence attesting to their Arab-Islamic roots.
Tourists visiting historical Andalusian cities today frequently encounter signs, promotional materials, and official statements that overemphasize the Jewish element while marginalizing Islamic contributions. This extends beyond mere rhetoric; Islamic landmarks are often neglected, left to deteriorate, while sites associated with the Jewish presence receive restoration and state sponsorship—even when their historical significance is minor.
Case Studies: The Rewriting of Andalusian History
Cáceres: An Example of Cultural Distortion
One city that reflects this phenomenon is Cáceres (historically known as Qasrash), located in the region of Extremadura. Founded upon the ruins of a Roman settlement, Cáceres flourished under Islamic rule, particularly after being seized by the Almohads in the 12th century.
Although Muslims ruled Cáceres for nearly five centuries, constructing 1,200-meter-long defensive walls, today’s tourist narratives excessively highlight a supposed Jewish presence while downplaying the undeniable Arab-Islamic imprint. Many renowned medieval geographers and historians, such as Ibn Hawqal, Al-Idrisi, and Yaqut al-Hamawi, all documented the city’s Islamic identity. Yet, contemporary municipal authorities strategically ignore this evidence, steering visitors toward an overblown narrative of “Jewish heritage” while failing to acknowledge Islamic contributions.
Segovia: A Pattern of Selective Memory
The same distortion is evident in Segovia (Shuqbiyya) in central Spain. Despite being under Muslim rule from the 8th to the late 11th century, the city’s Islamic legacy is now barely recognized. While local municipalities provide extensive guided tours of “Jewish neighborhoods,” they minimize references to the city’s Islamic period, treating it as a footnote rather than an integral part of its identity.
Almería: A Battle for Historical Integrity
A particularly striking example of cultural revisionism is Almería, a city on the Mediterranean coast. Here, a group of Spanish academics and intellectuals have actively opposed the erasure of the city’s Islamic heritage.
Among them is Professor Jorge Lirola, an expert in Andalusian history and Arabic literature at the University of Almería. Lirola has led efforts to counter the “cultural Judaization” that local authorities, in coordination with international entities, are attempting to implement. Notably, Arab scholars and cultural activists have also voiced concerns about these revisionist trends.
The Role of Far-Right Politics in Promoting “Judaization”
Paradoxically, far-right European factions, which previously opposed “Jewish influence,” have now aligned themselves with Zionist groups to advance the “revival of Jewish heritage” in Spain. This unlikely alliance has led to a deliberate distortion of Islamic history in Al-Andalus, aligning with contemporary political objectives.
As a result, Spanish right-wing parties, once opposed to acknowledging Jewish contributions, are now among the strongest advocates for highlighting Sephardic Jewish heritage—while simultaneously fueling Islamophobic rhetoric across Europe.
Where Are the Arab Efforts to Counter Historical Falsification?
Amid this systematic revisionism, a critical question arises: Where are Arab and Islamic cultural institutions in this battle over historical memory?
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- Why have universities and research centers in the Arab world not launched systematic initiatives to document and safeguard Andalusian Islamic heritage?
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- Why is there no organized Arab response to the growing erasure of Islamic identity in Spain?
This historical manipulation persists uncontested, reinforcing the need for academic and media efforts to preserve the truth of Al-Andalus as one of the most significant Islamic civilizational milestones in Europe.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the Historical Narrative
The “Judaization of Al-Andalus” is not merely a historical debate, but an ideological campaign aimed at reframing European perceptions of history while systematically erasing Islam’s pivotal role in Andalusian civilization. By selectively amplifying non-Islamic elements, proponents of this agenda hope to rewrite the region’s identity, shifting recognition away from Islamic contributions and toward alternative historical narratives.
Addressing this challenge requires serious academic engagement, international collaborations, and cultural activism to ensure that the true history of Al-Andalus remains recognized and accurately preserved for future generations.
