From Moorish Cordova to the Bahá'ís of Iran: Islamic tolerance and intolerance

This article argues that the current persecution of the Bahá'í community of Iran contrasts with Muhammad's original teachings in the Qur'an prescribing understanding and respect towards religious minorities. Cordova, once the capital of Moorish Spain, known as al-Andalus, is set as an example of tolerance where Muslims, Christians and Jews co-existed harmoniously under Islamic rule. The paper also describes the persecution of the members of the Iranian Bahá'í community within that theological and historical context.