History of conversion from Judaism to Islam

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Although conversion to any other religion is considered apostasy by all branches of Judaism, Jewish law maintains that a child born to a Jewish mother remains a Jew regardless of their level of observance. Thus in Jewish law, a Jew who converts to Islam remains a Jew, and is able to return to proper observance of Judaism without any requirement for "reconversion".

Historically, groups of Jews and individual Jews have converted to Islam; some voluntarily, although most incidents of group conversion have been forced conversions. Individual conversions are more frequently associated with social pressure or hopes of improving prospects for themselves and their families.[citation needed] Generally speaking, voluntary conversion results in a loss identification as Jews. In fact, some of the most outspoken opponents of Jews and Judaism have been converts from Judaism. On the other hand, forced converts, such as the Dönmeh, sometimes retained a connection to their ethnicity and faith—some eventually even returning to Judaism.

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[edit] Early history

In Persia, during the Safavid dynasty of the 16th and 17th centuries, Jews were forced to proclaim publicly that they had converted to Islam, and were given the name Jadid-al-Islam (New Muslims). In 1661 an edict was issued overturning these forced conversions, and the Jews returned to practicing Judaism openly. Similarly, to end a pogrom in 1839, the Jews of Mashhad were forced to convert en masse to Islam. They practiced Judaism secretly for over a century before openly returning to their faith. At the turn of the 21st century, around 10,000 lived in Israel, another 4,000 in New York City, and 1,000 elsewhere.[1]

[edit] Sabbatai Zevi

In Turkey the claimed messiah Sabbatai Zevi was imprisoned until he was presented with the choice to convert to Islam or be put to death, whereupon he converted to Islam in 1666. A number of his followers converted as well, becoming known as the Donmeh (a Turkish word for a religious convert). While outwardly Muslim, they retained a belief that Zevi was the Messiah, some believing him to be an incarnation of God.[citation needed] The Donmeh secretly remained Jews by most definitions, observed certain Jewish rituals, prayed in Hebrew and Aramaic, and celebrated Jewish festivals and fasts. Some Donmeh remain today, primarily in Turkey.

[edit] Underground Judaism

A number of groups who converted from Judaism to Islam have remained Muslim, while maintaining a connection to and interest in their Jewish heritage. These groups include the anusim or Daggataun of Timbuktu who converted in 1492, when Askia Muhammed came to power in Timbuktu and decreed that Jews must convert to Islam or leave,[2] and the Chala, a portion of the Bukharan Jewish community who converted voluntarily.

[edit] Modern times

In modern times, conversions to Islam by Jews are usually voluntarily, although there are some modern cases of forced conversions. The number of Jews who convert to Islam, however, is miniscule. The most notable modern-day (i.e., in the past century or so) converts include:


[edit] Current situation In Israel

In Israel, 70 Jews converted to Islam in 2006, more than twice the number in previous years.[3]


[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Ross, Dan. Acts of Faith, Schocken Books, New York, 1984, pp. 67-82. ISBN 0-8052-0759-7
  2. ^ Primack, Karen. The Renewal of Jewish Identity in Timbuktu, kulanu.org. Retrieved Nov 12, 2006.
  3. ^ www.ynetnews.com

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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