Page 69 - A Call For Unity

Harun Yahya (Adnan Oktar)

Andalusia was gradually weakened due to the constant at-
tacks of Spanish Christians. Granada was its last stronghold,
and historic documents state that "those who have not seen
the splendor of Jewish life do not know what splendor is." At
that time, Granada was the safest place on Earth for Jews. 10
Another example is Palestine, where Jewish and
Christian communities enjoyed religious freedom, lived in
peace and safety, and engaged in trade and crafts. The

Ottoman Empire guaranteed peace and security for some five
centuries in the area, and such order has never been seen
there since. The freedoms enjoyed in Jerusalem and its sur-
rounding area under Ottoman rule is described by one of
Israel's ex-foreign ministers, Abba Eban, as follows:
Jerusalem and the Jewish nation suffered bloodshed and torture
from the Romans and every other occupying force. Only after the
conquest of Jerusalem by Sultan Yavuz Selim and its fortification
by Kanuni did the Jewish nation discover what humanity, equal-
ity, and a peaceful life meant. 11

Throughout the Muslim world, Muslims, Christians, and
Jews lived together in peace and tranquility for centuries. The
People of the Book engaged in commerce and acquired prop-
erty as they wished, engaged in the trade or profession of
their choice, and were appointed to posts in the state admin-
istration and even in the sultan's palace. They enjoyed the
freedom of thought and expression at the highest degree, and

made scientific and cultural achievements that are still with
us today. They were not denied their social rights, and en-
joyed maximum freedoms of belief and worship. For in-
stance, historical sources reveal that Christian physicians in

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