dhimmi

n. a non-Muslim living with limited rights under Muslim rule. Subjects: Arabic, Religion

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Citations: 1929 C.H. Kraeling Journal of the American Oriental Society “The Origin and Antiquity of the Mandeans” vol. 49, p. 199: The Moslem rulers classed the Mandeans with those called “dhimmi”, i.e., the ones with whom a compact for religious toleration had been made…The Koran mentions three groups of dhimmi, the Jews, the Christians and the Sabiun or the Sabeans, not to be confused with the Sabean family of the Semitic peoples. 1942 Arthur Jeffery Journal of Near Eastern Studies (Oct.) “The Political Importance of Islam” vol. 1, no. 4, p. 388: The offer of Islam or Dhimmi status must be made before the attack is launched. 1955 New York Times (Dec. 30) “Equality Promised North Africa Jews” p. 14: Jews had held the status of “dhimmis” since the twelfth century. “Dhimmi” means a protected person without the rights of a citizen. He could not vote, get a passport or have his oath accepted in a Morroccan law court. 1982 David B. Ottaway @ Kfar Matta, Lebanon Washington Post (Nov. 29) “Uneasy Peace Prevails in Village For Lebanese Christians, Druze” p. A18: Lebanese Forces officials say they are only trying to establish a balance of power between Christians and Druze and end what they allege is the Christian status as dhimmi, second-class citizens, in the Chouf. 1996 Bernard Lewis The Middle East (1996) p. 210: Tolerated unbelievers were called dhimmi, or ahl al-dhimma, “the people of the pact.” This was a legal term for the tolerated and protected non-Muslim subjects of the Muslim state.…The dhimma, which determined their status, was conceived as a pact between the Muslim ruler and the non-Muslim communities and was thus essentially a contract. The basis of this contract was the recognition by the dhimmis of the supremacy of Islam and the dominance of the Muslim state, and their acceptance of a position of subordination, symbolized by certain social restrictions and by the payment of a poll tax (jizya) to which Muslims were not subject. In return, they were granted security of life and property, protection against external enemies, freedom of worship, and a very large measure of internal autonomy in the conduct of their affairs. 2004 Val McQueen Tech Central Station (Washington, D.C.) (Oct. 12) “You Only Die Once”: Even the colorless—and clueless—dhimmi-in-chief also known as British Foreign Minister Jack Straw raced off to visit the family—to what purpose, who knows?

Posted 13 Oct 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend