The Beautiful Jewish history in Muslim lands By: Ahmad Saed Alzein CEO of House of Emirates® It has been always my deep conviction and assertion that no land can prosper without the Jews, I do believe their contribution to the prosperity of any society is so essential that history has proved it over and again that their indispensable skills and brilliance are paramount in transforming the surrounding societies. It pains me to see some hateful currents sweeping sometimes from here and there trying to dehumanize these wonderful people, we owe so much to their contributions in the fields of science, medicine, technology and many others aspects of our lives. In this article, I am trying to shed some light on the beautiful history of Jews in Muslim lands, hoping it will remind all of us of how we were before and how we can be today. Indeed, Historical stories that challenge stereotypes and highlight cases of tolerance and coexistence are important in a world often clouded by religious and political hatred. One such story is the remarkable history of Jewish communities that flourished in Muslim countries. From the Golden Age of Muslim Spain to the bustling cities of Aleppo, Istanbul and Cairo in the Middle East and North Africa, Jews found refuge, prosperity and even a flourishing intellectual and cultural exchange under Islamic rule. Jewish Minister of Foreign Affairs in Muslim Spain Al-Andalus or Muslim Spain is the time where the most shining examples of tolerance and enlightenment can be found. Jews enjoyed unprecedented religious freedom and opportunities for success during the Umayyad Caliphate. The immigration of Jews to Spain was a continuous process during the first several centuries of Muslim rule. With the establishment of the caliphate of Córdoba in the tenth century, the influx of Jews probably accelerated. I recall here the distinguished Hasdai (Abu Yusuf ben Yitzhak ben Ezra) ibn Shaprut, who was appointed as chief physician to Caliph Abdul Rahman III (912-961 AD), by his engaging manners, knowledge, character, and extraordinary ability, he gained the caliph’s absolute trust to such a degree that he became the caliph's confidant and faithful counsellor. He was technically the minister of foreign affairs in the caliphate; he had also control of the customs and ship-dues in the port of Córdoba. Hasdai arranged the alliances formed by the caliph with foreign powers, and he received the envoys sent by the latter to Córdoba. Jewish scholars like Maimonides shaped the intellectual landscape of the time. A well-known agreement between Jews, Muslims and Christians in cities like Córdoba and Toledo fostered a spirit of cultural exchange and respect.