The Medieval Relations between Abrahamic Religions in the Main Cultural Crossroads of the Mediterranean Region

The medieval era witnessed exchanges and various forms of contact among the main religious groups in the Mediterranean region. Emerging from the same root with many intersecting beliefs related to the main central figure of Abraham, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the three dominant Abrahamic religions, were at the center of many interactions of this region that witnessed their spread. This study focuses on three major crossroads of the Mediterranean: the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, and Jerusalem, where adherents of these religions engaged in deep interactions through various phases, influenced by shifts in ruling powers. Some similarities were observed in the development of relations between each pair of these faiths across these regions. Notably, persecution and expulsion by Christians against both Jews and Muslims were recurrent themes in the Iberian Peninsula and Sicily, driven by efforts to consolidate Christian dominance. Conflict mostly characterized Christian-Muslim relations during this era, as both groups fought to gain power over more lands in the region. Also, the study highlights relatively peaceful contacts between Jews and Muslims in these regions. The research underscores the complexity of interfaith dynamics, where periods of tolerance were often interrupted by episodes of intolerance and violence.