n Islamic city of Mediterranean through the perspective of multiculturalism: A case study of Fez, Morocco

Problematic of multi-culturalism atrracts new attention in this age of migration and globalization. It influences also area studies, especially changing perspective on the characteristics of each society. And some case studies of societies, where the co-existence of different ethnic groups has long history, would be significant as reference concerning studies of multiculturalism. Mediterranean region has one of the most remarkable history of migration and communication among different cultures and civilizations: cross-cultural communication would be even one of the essential factors of Mediterranean. For more close observation, I took a case of Islamic city in Mediterranean region, Fes of Morocco, for this problematic. My questions in this case study of Islamic city are follows: What and how was the diversity of ethnic and regional groups in this city? What was the logic and reality about the spatial distribution, inter-community relationship, integration and disintegration of urban communities, and sometimes exclusions? How the co-existence and, if we can say, multicultural organization of society functioned in that city? How some inevitable conflicts were treated in that Islamic city? And, finally, how the introduction of modernity, through some tumultuous history of colonialism and independence in 20th century affected its` long tradition of cultural diversity? The composition of Fez`s urban population was cosmopolitan since the founding years of the city in 8th century. Migrants from different regions of Mediterranean like Tunisia, Spain, Turkey and Arabian peninsular, first generations of Fez`s urban residents were themselves descendants of various diaspora communities. Diversity and cultural pluralism seems to be a strong tradition of Mediterranean Islamic city in this case. The co-existence of different ethnic, regional, and religious groups, nevertheless, did not mean the reign of total harmony. Conflicts among communities were incessant composing factors of this city. Between royal elites and civil society, and between descendants of Andalousia and those of Kayrouan, for example, efforts of negotiation did not take away history of battles and trials of mutual elimination. But principally the system of negotiation and cohabitation took the root in urban tradition of Fez. With the introduction of modernity and nationalism in 20th century, however, the situation changed. This means that once acquired tradition of Fez`s cultural diversity can be under danger even in this age of globalization