Scientific event

Shared Memories: The Moriscos Between Two Shores

Type

National Seminar

date

20/10/2025

heure

14:00

lieu

CRASC

Theme :

History and the Relationship with National Memory

Keywords :

Algeria historical memory historical personality history literary history spanish language

Abstract

On April 9, 1609, the first decree of expulsion of the Moriscos from the territories of the Spanish monarchy was signed—a measure with tragic consequences. This policy, which lasted until 1615, led to the departure of more than 275,000 inhabitants from Spain, descendants of Hispano-Islamic heritage established in the Iberian Peninsula since 711. The Moriscos expelled between 1609 and 1615 settled primarily in North Africa—initially in Algeria and Morocco, and later in Tunisia—after passing through France. Their integration into the complex social rhythms of Maghrebi societies was not without difficulty; they sometimes collaborated actively with local authorities, while at other times arousing suspicion. Although a number of them perished en route, it can be affirmed that the vast majority succeeded in reaching their destination. They benefited from the support of Maghrebi and Ottoman authorities (Algeria and Tunisia being provinces of the Ottoman Empire), who guided them to safe locations and organized their settlement in Maghrebi lands.

Participants

Luis Bernabé PONS

intervenant

Biography

Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Department of Integrated Philologies, University of Alicante (Spain).
He earned his PhD in 1992 with the dissertation Edition and Study of the Spanish Manuscript of the “Gospel of Barnabas”: a Hispano-Islamic Gospel by a Morisco Author (16th–17th centuries).
His main research areas include Arabic literature, the influence of Arab-Islamic culture on Spanish literature, and the history and culture of Mudejars and Moriscos.

Rajaa BAHRI

intervenant

Biography

Professor of Spanish language and literature in Tunisia. She specializes in the cultural history of Muslim Spain, the Spanish Inquisition, and Andalusi heritage in North Africa.
She is currently Director of the Department of Literature at the Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts (Beit al-Hikma).
She has coordinated several works, including The Andalusi Heritage in Tunisia from the 13th Century to the Present Day, which gathers studies on the Andalusi and Morisco influence on Tunisian culture

Chakib BENHAFRI

intervenant

Biography

Is an Algerian professor and historian. His research focuses on the relations between Spain and the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century. He delivers university lectures on Ottoman archives, the Spanish presence in the Mediterranean, and the history of Ottoman Algeria.

Zakaria BENALI

intervenant

Biography

A Senior Research Fellow (Section B), permanent researcher at the National Center for Research in Social and Cultural Anthropology (CRASC) in Oran, a position he has held since 2015.
He obtained a Master’s degree in Modern and Contemporary History from the University of Sidi Bel Abbès in 2015, with a dissertation entitled: “Algeria and Mediterranean Issues during the Reigns of Sultan Bayezid II and Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent”, within the framework of the project “Algeria and the Mediterranean World during the Ottoman Period”.
He also holds a Doctorate in Sciences in Modern and Contemporary History from the University of Tlemcen, with a thesis entitled: “The Moriscos and Religious Testaments in Spain in the Light of the Aljamiado Manuscripts from 1526 to 1640”.

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