Freedom of religion or belief: what did it look like in the past?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can examine a historical case study and consider issues of freedom of religion and belief.
Key learning points
- Al-Andalus was a Muslim-ruled area of the Iberian Peninsula in the 11th and 12th centuries.
- Under Islamic rule, Christians and Jews held Dhimmi status, which granted them some freedom to practise their religion.
- In the city of Córdoba there was cultural interchange between the three religions.
- This period ended with the Spanish reconquest in 1492. Jews and Muslims were either forced to convert or be expelled.
- Examining this case study can help us better understand freedom of religion or belief.
Keywords
Al-Andalus - the Muslim-ruled area of the Iberian Peninsula, including modern-day Gibraltar, Portugal, Spain and southern France
Freedom - being able to believe what you want, or not believe at all, and being respected for that choice
Coercion - using threats, intense pressure or violence to compel someone to change their religion or belief
Dhimmis - non-Muslims (mainly Christians and Jews) living under Islamic rule who were officially protected by the Muslim government
Common misconception
Muslims, Christians and Jews always lived in conflict or oppression in the past.
There was freedom of religion or belief in the Al-Andalus period and Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in relative harmony. However, Christians and Jews did not have the same rights as Muslims.
Teacher tip
You may wish to look at examples of architecture in Cordoba. You may wish to make links with any learning in history that pupils have done looking at the history of Islam.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Article 18 is part of the United Nations of Human Rights.
Q2.Which action is protected under Article 18?
Q3.People may their religion through actions.
Q4.Can religions be criticised under freedom of religion laws?
Q5.Freedom of religion also protects beliefs.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.During which centuries did Al-Andalus exist?
Q2.Under Islamic rule, Christians and Jews had status.
Q3.Which city was famous for religious cultural interchange?
Q4.What ended Muslim rule in Spain in 1492?
Q5.Jews and Muslims were forced to or be expelled.
Q6.Studying Al-Andalus helps us understand:
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Freedom of religion or belief: what did it look like in the past?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Freedom of religion or belief: what did it look like in the past?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Freedom: How far should governments go to protect freedom of religion or belief? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.