Restrictions imposed on Christians and Jews Social and cultural exchange in Al-Andalus

although christians , jews experienced relatively high degree of religious , social freedom under muslim rule, did lack rights reserved exclusively muslims. dihimmis, included both christians , jews, required pay annual poll tax called jizya. if non-muslim owned substantial amount of cultivatable land, required pay kharaj or land-tax. there restrictions , taxes levied on church buildings themselves. religious practices processions, chanting, , church bell ringing, censored law, although enforcement of these laws varied region region. under islamic law, dihimmis supposed assume subordinate position in not allowed hold authority on muslim. in practice not case, many christians , jews acquired positions in cordoban bureaucracy tax collectors, translators, , secretaries. being said, there numerous advantages converting islam. ability social mobility changed drastically upon conversion islam. converts had greater ability acquire wealth , status. slaves instantly freed , enfranchised if converted islam reciting shahada, “there no god god, , muhammad prophet.” under almoravids tensions grew more , more restrictions forced upon non-muslims, although level of prosperity religious minorities still maintained under rule. under almohads these relative eras of tolerance ended many christians , jews being forced convert islam or face persecution. many churches , synagogues destroyed during almohad rule , many christians , jews moved newly conquered christian city of toledo. overall, relations between various religious groups varied region region , term convivencia, or culture of tolerance, cannot universally applied al-andalus. ibn hazn (1064), prominent poet , philosopher cordoba, described christian community ‘altogether vile,’ demonstrating prejudices against christians persisted in al-andalus, although hard gauge degree since varied region region. invasion of almoravids, , later almohads, signaled shift , eventual end religious tolerance fostered under caliphate.