Ibn Garca's Shu'ubiyya Letter: Ethnic and Theological Tensions in Medieval Al-Andalus

This volume deals with the medieval shu'ubiyyah movement (in which non-Arab Muslims sought equality of power and status with Arabs) in al-Andalus, Muslim Spain. By analysing a letter composed by Ibn Garcìa during the 11th century, the tensions between Arab and non-Arab Muslims are discussed in detail. Symbols, stories and legends used in the shu'ubiyyah corpus of writings are analysed in the light of the political and theological development in al-Andalus and the Muslim world. Authority, legitimacy and power are central both to the discussion of Ibn Garcìa's letter and the history of the shu'ubiyyah movement.
The first part gives the historical background to the history of al-Andalus. Ethnic conflicts and tensions related to authority and power are of special interest. The second part, gives a detailed analysis of Ibn Garcìa's shu'ubiyyah letter in relation to the historical and contemporary situation in al-Andalus.