The Qarāmiṭa scare: Public sentiment and political reactions

Nimrod Hurvitz

doi:10.1163/22142371-00802004

The Qarāmiṭa scare: Public sentiment and political reactions

Nimrod Hurvitz

Department of Middle East Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The horrific attacks of a group of militant Ismāʿīlīs called the Qarāmiṭa in 311/924- 319/931 underscored the Abbasid regime's weakness and inability to govern. However, it is precisely because the regime was so weak that the populace was forced to react - be it by fighting, escaping or demonstrating against the ruling elite. This essay examines the emotions and actions of the inhabitants of Baghdad and southern Iraq during the Qarāmiṭa attacks. It asks whether the threats and fear that the populace experienced fragmented society or united it. Although the answer is complex, it is possible to discern that in the long run the Qarāmiṭa scare caused the deterioration of Sunni and Shi'i relations.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	161-182
Number of pages	22
Journal	Journal of Abbasid Studies
Volume	9
Issue number	1-2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1163/22142371-00802004
State	Published - 1 Jan 2022

Keywords

History from below
Ismāʿīlīs
Qarāmiṭa
Shi'i relations
Sunni
history of emotions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

History

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10.1163/22142371-00802004

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The Qarāmiṭa scare: Public sentiment and political reactions

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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