Relationships were very weird during these times. Individuals and groups of various religions and ethnicities often allied with “the enemy” against their own people

Muslims and Christians frequently allied against other Muslims and Christians in medieval Spain. The Byzantines employed Muslim Turks in their armies.

One of the stories I read was about a Muslim man that befriended a Frank. They had become such great friends that they even called each other brothers.

I would ask my students their opinion about this friendship. Those men should be fighting against each other because of differences of religion yet they become close friends. I would ask, do you think religion should break friendships up? Should religion be a cause for wars?

I feel like this might be a little confusing because if the different religions are fighting against each other yet they befriended certain people. Then what is the purpose of fighting?

-Nancy Tallas