NationStates

The United Taifas of Al'Andalus

Background

To all intents and purposes the history of the nation begins early in the second decade of the eighth century with the Umayyad conquest of Iberia. The history of Al'Andalus in the generations following this conquest is well known, but the tale of the great ba'ath - or resurrection- is less well known.

Following the fall of Al'Andalus as a unified entity, the Moorish lands that covered most of Iberia were consolidated under a great many Taifas, or minor kingdoms, all independent and none able individually to repulse the hostile interest of the Catholic kingdoms to the north, nor indeed successive Muslim empires of the Maghreb. Early in the eleventh century civil war shattered the Muslim lands and ruined the Umayyad Qurtuba Caliphate that had lately come to prominence, and so dawned the first era of the Taifas. Catholic aggression prompted some to invite help from the Maghreb, successively the Almoravid and Almohad Caliphates, which only resulted in conquest by these more reactionary Muslims, disgusted as they were by the debauched impety they perceived in Andalusi liberalism.

It is after these events and the further progress of the Catholic Reconquista that Andalusi history becomes less widely understood in much of the world. Newborn Catholic-dominated Portugal had wasted little time in establishing itself as a global power by maritime might, and, though Catholics were matched in number by Hebrew citizens and both were swamped by Muslims, Catholic Portuguese culture was carried around the world.

In 1755, however, a catastrophic earthquake approaching a magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale struck Lisbon, the Portuguese name for their capital, which the Andalusi had previously called Al'Išbūnah. Tens of thousands perished, and the quake was felt as far away as Scandinavia. Up to one fifth of the city's population may have perished in the earthquake itself and the fires and tsunamis that followed. The fact that the disaster struck on the Catholic holiday of All Saints Day was not lost on the brutally repressed and increasingly despondent Muslim populace, which lept upon this opportunity for revolt. The city's cathedral and the Basilicas of São Paulo, Santa Catrina, São Vicente de Fora, and other churches were totally destroyed by the natural disaster, and many took this as evidence of the corruption of the empire and a sign that it was time to drive the Christians back out of Al'Andalus.


Catholics are hanged in the aftermath as a great 'witch-hunt' sweeps the decimated region

The revolt by the Muslims took on an ordered form through long-underground religious leadership and contacts in the similarly persecuted Jewish community, from where significant funds were derived for a major campaign to drive Catholicism out of Portugal. The effort to restore Muslim control over Iberia initially fell short, but as the tsunami receeded and the dust of war settled, what had briefly been Portugal was once more divided between numerous Muslim Taifas, and a land where Muslims, Jews, and, in time, Christians could all live, if not always as absolute equals, then at least without fear of deadly persecution.


Muslim and Jewish soldiers fight side by side to drive back the Catholic elite

Over the course of several decades the reignited holy wars in Iberia swept back and forth as the Muslims and their Hebrew allies battled a troubled Spanish Empire. Napoleon's attempt to take advantage by the invasion of what had been Portugal and was now the numerous Taifas of Al'Gharb Al'Andalus came unstuck against determined and battle-hardened Andalusi forces, which soon began to receive arms from the British. With failure in Al'Gharb, the French dictator's ambitions for a follow-up invasion of Spain ran into trouble and his attention was turned east, to Russia, leaving the Andalusi -bolstered by British arms and training- to strike decisive blows against a crumbling Spain. Come the end of the Napoleonic Wars Iberia was under Muslim authority once more, all be it a fractious authority that would struggle for years against Catholic guerrilla forces.

In the two centuries since the great ba'ath, Iberia's Taifas have reversed the impact of the reconquista and settled back into competing with one another for both military and cultural prestige, creating a militarised land littered with ornate palaces, gleaming mosques, vast sporting stadia, world-class madrasahs, stunning gardens, exquisitely furnished galleries, renowned theatres, and more recently with numerous super-structures, all designed to awe.

Problems arising from differences between the rulers of the various Taifas eventually became intolerable, leaving the nation's defences dangerously divided and lacking standardisation while also failing to make the most of the great economic potential inherent in the growing population and high quality centres of education. A period of twentieth-century in-fighting ultimately concluded with the establishment of a Sultanate over numerous autonomous Taifas.

This new hereditary Sultanate takes its name -the Saburid Dynasty- from its late founder, and today prospers under its second ruler, Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi al'Wafi ben Sabur al'Andalusi.

Geography

Location: Southwestern Europe, Iberian Peninsula, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, Western Mediterranean, France
Area: approximate total- 583,255km2
Borders: France (679.6km)
Climate: temperate, moderate to hot summers and cool winters along coast, hot summers and cold winters in interior
Terrain: large, flat plateaus surrounded by rugged hills, mountains in north
Elevation extremes: Atlantic Ocean 0m, Jabal al'Akhdar 2,942m
Natural resources: coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, tin, uranium, tungsten, silver, gold, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, marble, hydropower, arable land, forests (cork), fish
Natural hazards: periodic droughts, occasional flooding
Environmental issues: pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification
Geography note: strategic location along Bab el-Zakat


Al'Andalus - the Taifas and the location of their capitals

People

Population: 57,599,914
Life expectancy: total population- 78 years male- 74.75 years female- 81.5 years
Nationality: Andalusi, Andalusian, Taifan
note- particular sub-nationality granted to residents of particular Taifas
Languages: Arabic primary language of state, Andalusian Arabic spoken by most; Hebrew, official; English widely understood in cities
Ethnic groups: Widespread mixing of races over several centuries and self misidentification by many people of Berber stock as Arab, as well as a lack of relevant surveys in many Taifas make compilation of accurate data impossible. Berber, mixed Mediterranean stock, Arab, Jewish, black African, Slavs, and other European populations all exist in varying degrees of assimilation
Religions: Muslim 84%, Jewish 7%, Roman Catholic 5%, other Christian 2%, other or none 2%
note- observance varies from region to region but tends to be quite lax, with many self-identified Muslims happy to consume alcohol, pork, et cetera
Literacy: total- 99% male- 99.5% female- 98.5%
Education expenditure: 7.8% of GDP

Government

Country name: conventional long form- The United Taifas of Al Andalus conventional short form- The United Taifas OR Al Andalus local long form- Al'Tawā'if al'Andalus al'Muttahidah local short form- Al'Andalus abbreviation- UTA
Government type: federal Sultanate with specified powers delegated to Sultan of the UTA and other powers reserved to the Emirs of the member Taifas
Capital: Al'Išbūnah
Independence: 27th November, 1755- first restored Taifa (Balata) proclaimed
Executive branch: Chief of State- Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi bin Sabur al'Andalusi Head of Government- Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi bin Sabur al'Andalusi Cabinet- Supreme Federal Council comprised of the Emirs and veto-holding Hajib, who is appointed by the Sultan
Legislative branch: National Federal Council comprised of Ministers appointed by the Emirs, which reviews but can not change legislation
Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court comprised of judges appointed by the Sultan

The Saburid Dynasty

The Founder

Born Sabur ibn Yusuf al'Shantarini, this pioneer of the modern Union grew up to become Emir Shantarini Abu Wafi al'Sabur ibn Yusuf, ruling over the once minor Taifa of Shantarin where he had a popular stabilising influence. Earning a reputation for patience and honorable conduct as Emir, his annexation of neighbouring Balata made him sufficiently powerful to restyle himself Sultan Abu Wafi al'Sabur ibn Yusuf al'Andalusi. Established as the most powerful man in Al'Andalus, Sabur was able to unite numerous Taifas behind his Sultanate, and would ultimately establish the Union, giving up his direct control of Shantarin and Balata for oversight of the whole nation.

Founding the Saburid dynasty, he would be the first in the modern age to favour the ideas of thinkers such as Abū 'l-Walīd Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Rushd -known in Christian Europe as Averroes- to the superstition and zealotry that had long dominated the independent Taifas.

The Sultan

Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi al'Wafi ben Sabur al'Andalusi succeeded his father and is the current premier of the Union.

His name may be read as meaning the Father of Saifullah (sword of God), Servant of The Guide (one of the 99 names of God), the Trustworthy, Son of Sabur (the Patient), the Iberian. Al'Wafi is known to favour many aspects of western culture and is commonly seen wearing a suit cut on Savile Row, enjoying wine, whisky, or brandy (all in moderation, it is understood), and associating with foreign celebrities. He is a keen football (soccer) fan, and has invested heavily in youth accademies in the capital and across Al'Andalus.

Under his rule, the Andalusi economy has grown by not less than 2% a year, and often by considerably more than that, and while the rich have inarguably become richer it must also be said that social programmes have been generally strong for both Muslims and dhimmis. On the other hand an undercurrent of criticism for the Sultan and his regime has been slowly gathering strength in conservative religious circles, a difficulty not lessened by numerous acts of anti-Muslim persecution in foreign countries, which Al'Išbūnah has, in the views of some, done all to little to combat.

The Heir

Al'Cid Abdulfattah Saifullah ben Wafi ben Sabur al'Andalusi, whose name means The Lord-Heir, Servant of The Victory Giver, Sword of God, Son of Wafi, Grandson of Sabur, Of Iberia, is the son of the current Sultan and heir apparent to the Sultanate.

A young man, bright and fairly handsome, there are concerns in some circles about the possible hold of religious radicalism on Al'Cid, who has allegedly raged against the impiety of various Emirs. Conversely it has been rumoured that these rages were in fact drunken, and there is no public certainty as to whether the Sultan's son is a zealous Islamist radical or a debauched playboy, with some suggesting that both are mere facets of youthful rebellion against extreme parental oversight and popular expectation.

Economy

GDP per capita (PPP): US$25,000
GDP real growth rate: 2.1%
Agricultural products: fish; grain, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, swine, poultry, dairy products
Industries: construction, textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper, chemicals, auto-parts manufacturing, base metals, dairy products, wine, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, telecommunications, ship construction and refurbishment, defence equipment, tourism
Export commodities: agricultural products, food products, wine, oil products, chemical products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork, wood pulp and paper, textiles, clothing, footwear, minerals and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and transportation equipment, optical equipment
Import commodities: oil and gas, fuels, minerals, base metals, household goods, automobiles, food products
Trade partners: ?

Military - Jeish al'Andalus

Branches: Ground Forces comprising Army and Army Aviation, Air Forces comprising Flying Corps and Air Defence Corps, Naval Forces comprising Navy and Marine Corps, Reserve Forces comprising Mobile Reserve and Homeland Reserve

Overview: The Jeish al'Andalus, the national armed forces of Al'Andalus, is organised under the supreme authority of the Sultan, who is Commander-in-Chief. Manpower is raised by the Emirs on a Taifa-by-Taifa basis, with significant national prestige afforded to those rulers who manage to fill the largest portions of their federally-mandated recruitment quota with volunteers rather than conscripts. The Taifas also compete to be known as home to the finest warriors, and several support independent arms industries that attempt to better one another with new equipment offerings, sometimes engaging competing foreign firms in extravagant attempts to out-do their rivals. Facing a predominantly Christian continent that does not always appreciate the Moorish state's presence despite its wish for inclusion rather than confrontation, Al'Išbūnah has been unable to completely end conscription, but retains -partly through the above mentioned mechanisms- a high proportion of professional recruits, and enforces a significant reserve obligation on former professionals and conscripts. Spending is high, but not cripplingly so, and a strong domestic arms industry -necessitated by centuries of cultural and attendant political, economic, and military isolation in Europe- turns out equipment at lower cost than would be the case were the nation entirely reliant on arms imports.

Ground Forces
Manpower: 570,000
Army- 567,000 Army Aviation- 3,000

Air Forces
Manpower: 75,000
Flying Corps- 70,000 Air Defence Corps- 5,000

Naval Forces
Manpower: 80,000
Navy- 55,000 Marine Corps- 25,000

Reserve Forces
Manpower: 3,430,000
Mobile Reserve- 15,000 Homeland Reserve- 3,415,000

Special Forces and Militias

Ghazawāt, equivalent to Mujahideen, Al'Andalus' wagers of Jihad as-sayf: struggle by the sword. Generally these are offensive commando-type forces. Of all Andalusian warrios these have the most fierce reputation, as even during times of peace on the peninsula they have traveled abroad, ostensibly in the cause of holy war, though they have shown a habit for plunder and hostage taking, largely because they don't receive a regular salary, which makes them a jolly grouchy bunch, all in all. Still, people only choose to become a hard-living and often dirt-poor Ghāzī because of their extreme religious devotion, so despite their excesses in and after combat these can be considered truely fanatical warriors prepared to die for Islam. The Sultan and his subject Emirs must take care always to maintain distance between the Ghazawāt and the less pious aspects of modern Andalusi society.

As'Saqāliba, the Slavs, though not all are actually Slavic, as the Arab and Berber rulers of Al'Andalus make relatively few distinctions between the various Christian European peoples. Drawn from Eastern Europe, these are the equivalent to Mamluks. Accordingly, they are warrior slaves, usually raised from infancy to be exactly that. Traditionally they may have been captured in raids or purchased on the market, but the current generation were, often as not, orphans taken from the countless neglected and neglectful institutions that came to litter Eastern Europe after the collapse of so many Communist governments there. Some were quietly bought for a few dollars a head, others stolen from orphanages that couldn't care less, and all raised as Muslims to guard the Sultan. This was because several Sultans were killed by their own bodyguards in the past in order to benefit the Emir from whose Taifa they hailed: orphaned slaves from a distant country don't know their origins, and have no loyalty but to the 'father' they have been taught to know and love since childhood. A few Saqāliba have in later life become famous poets, writing of their experiences, and some have even become Emirs in their Taifas, rewarded by the Sultan for good service when a vacancy is created by the death or disgrace of a princely line. Every bit as fanatical as the Ghazawāt, a Saqlabi's devotion is more often first to the Sultan's person and rule, and only second to the wider calling of the faith, and he will lay down his life to protect his master.

Al'Murabitoun, the sentinels. Military volunteers who choose to live in Ribats, often apart from mainstream society, intending to preserve their religious purity and defend Al'Andalus against reconquista and threats to the Islamic order of things. At times they've kicked up fusses in some Taifas where they feel that people are becoming too lax in their observance, but today they mostly man defensive strongholds existing in many Taifas, as usual each Emir trying to best his neighbours by laying claim to the strongest fortifications in the Union. Generally they are not expected to surrender in the course of their duty to defend Europe's Islamic outpost lest they risk surrendering their place in paradise.

Al'Futuwa, the courageous young men of Al'Andalus. Arguably not an elite force, this is more a militia comprised of young Andalusian males keen to prove their manliness and heroism. Their training and equipment is qualitatively far below what the above three forces utilise, but their numbers are hard to gauge and their enthusiasm is boundless. Often sports teams, social clubs, religious organisations, and even theatre groups will have a Futuwa unit associated with their membership, and it is these that would likely form the most energetic component of any insurgency were Al'Andalus to suffer foreign occupation. Some former Fityan go on to join the Ghazawāt, while other men only join a group later in life when they feel that they have something to protect.

Law, Order, and Religion in the Union

Andalusi legal code is heavily influenced by Islamic jurisprudence, but the current fiqh dominant in Taifan society is somewhat removed from Sharia in a great many regards, and the Union Supreme Court, which is comprised of judges appointed by the Sultan, tends to be far more liberal than would be expected of any society that were more heavily reliant on Sharia Law.

There are numerous contradictions in Andalusi life. A good example of this can be seen in many citizens' self regard as members of a secular society in spite of legal conditions that, from the outside, can be seen to be heavily influenced by Islam. Tax and property laws in particular are anything but secular, drawing cast-iron distinctions along lines of faith, while on the other hand it is ordinary for self-identifying Muslims to routinely engage in behaviour that even a casual observer could identify as haraam (forbidden), such as the popular consumption of pork and alcohol, or the well-known polyamorous activities enjoyed by perhaps a majority of the Emirs and other notables.

The Ahl al'Dhimmah (people of the pact of protection) including non-Muslim People of the Book (Jews and Christians) as well as Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Mandeans, Hindus, and Buddhists are free to practice their faiths but are prevented from proselytising under harsh pentalties; other faiths have had no legal protection and so struggled to function in society, but under the current administration this may be changing.

Different tax law applies to Muslims and dhimmis, with the latter being obliged to pay the jizya. Contrary to some criticism, this is not an additional tax levied on non-Muslims, for the Dhimmis are in fact exempt from the zakat, which Muslims are obliged to pay. Payment of jizya in the United Taifas entitles the non-Muslim resident and his or her dependents to Dhimmi status, that is the right to practice their faith without interference, to limited communal autonomy, and to the protection of the Muslim state. Payment of the zakat by Muslim residents of means is legally expected, and revenues are used by the state to support social programmes.

It now seems likely that the Sultanate will formalise the process by which people of any faith, or indeed of no faith at all, may enter the dhimmah by payment of jizya, even if they are not of a previously-recognised dhimmi faith, and that this will no longer automatically excuse them from military service as has traditionally been the case. Muslims who pay the zakat are still obliged to serve, so the argument goes, why should dhimmis who pay the jizya be exempt? Henceforth it is likely that a stepped system may be introduced, with a basic rate of jizya entitling a non-Muslim to live in the Union and to worship as he wishes, and a far higher rate to be paid if he (being an able-bodied man of fighting age) will not fight for the Sultanate. Naturally no young Muslim is likely to be excised of his sacred obligation to defend Al'Andalus, no matter how much zakat he pays.

Stoning, hanging, beheading, crucifixion, and other methods of judicial execution have been applied at times in various Taifas and theoretically could still be employed today, though in practice it is not common for such a sentence to be passed, and some Taifas have not carried out an execution in several decades, a few Emirs even banning capital punishment in their domains.

The elimination since the great ba'ath of the reactionary tendencies of the Murābitūn and their successors means that some of the more controversial hudud are no longer applied, and arguable infractions such as apostasy and the consumption of alcohol are rarely treated as hudud offences meriting a response such as may be expected in cases of theft and robbery. Like executions, amputations are now almost unheard of, and flogging -though still meted out from time to time, particularly in some rural areas- is less common than financial and property penalties and terms of incarceration.

The Taifas

Balata
2,800km2
Contains the Union capital, Al'Išbūnah (Lisbon)

Antaniya
22,576 km2
The capital is at Antaniya (Idanha), while Al'Mina (Ferrol) is one of the nation's major ports and Kuriyya (Curia) is another major city of this heavily-populated coastal region

Baja
~7,064km2
The capital is at Baja (Béja), while other major cities include Al'Qaşr (Alcácer do Sal) and Al'Ma'din (Almada)

Kulimriyya
25,408km2
The capital is at Kulimriyya (Coimbra), while Karkar (Carquere, nr.Lamego) is an important ancient fortress and Viseu is of some historic significance to the Andalusi

Labla
~2,500km2
The capital is at Faraon (Faro), while Al'Aliya (Loule), Qastalla (Cacela), and Tabira (Tavira) are also culturally significant

Martulah
~6,585km2
The capital is at Martulah (Mértola), while Maura (Moura) and Shirba (Serpa) are the Taifa's next towns

Shantarin
16,937km2
The capital is at Shantarin (Santarém), and the famous poets Ibn Bassam and Ibn Sara hailed from here

Ukhshunuba
~4,000km2
The capital is Shilb (Silves), and the Taifa's second city is Zawaia (Lagos), while the town of Saqris (Sagres) is also important

Yabura
13,458km2
The capital is at Yabura (Evora), other major cities being Julumaniya (Juromenha) and Yalbash (Elvas)

Batalyaws
41,634km2
The capital is at Batalyaws (Badajoz), founded around 875 by Ibn Marwan

Dàniyya
10,114km2
The capital is at Al'Dàniyya (Dania), and other cities include Al'Kudia (Alcúdia)

Manûrqa
694.39km2
Capital is at Madînat al Jazîra (Ciutadella)

Balansiyya
17,439km2
Capital is at Balansiyya (Valencia)

Saraqustah
47,719km2
Capital is at Saraqustah (Zaragoza), while other important cities are Wasqah (Huesca) and Barbastra (Barbastro)

Barshilunah
26,299km2
Capital is at Barshilunah, other important places include Al'Darra (Andorra)
Emir Tariq ben Sa’îd al'Barshiluni

Mursiya
11,313km2
Capital is at Medinat Mursiya (Murcia), and other cities include Lurka (Lorca)

Tulaytulah
79,463km2
Capital is at Tulaytulah (Toledo), and other major cities include Al-Basīt (Albacete)

Turtūšah
6,283km2
Capital is at Turtūšah (Tortosa), other cities include Tarkhun (Tarragona)

Mayrit
8,030km2
Capital is at Mayrit (Madrid)

Saburah
94,222km2
Capital at Balad Al'Walid (Valladolid)

Tudela
22,670km2
Capital is at Tudela (Tudela), while other major cities include Nájera (Nájera) and Qal`at 'Ayyūb (Calatayud)

Mālaqah
7,308km2
Capital is at Mālaqah (Málaga) while other major cities include Marbil-la (Marbella), Medina Antaquira (Antequera), Izn-Rand Onda (Ronda)

Išbīliya
24,190km2
Capital is at Išbīliya (Seville), and the second city is Walbah (Huelva)

Qurtuba
27,253km2
Capital is at Qurtuba (Cordoba), while Jayyān (Jaén) is the second city of this wealthy Taifa

Qādis
7,436km2
Capital is at Qādis (Cadiz) and there are many other important cities including Alcanatif (El Puerto de Santa María), Al'Jazīra Al'Khadrā' (Algeciras), Rabita Rutta (Rota), Medina Sayda (Medina-Sidonia), and Jabal Tāriq (Gibraltar)

Gharnātah
21,305km2
Capital is at Gharnātah (Granada) while the second city is at Al-Mariyya (Almería)

Notes

-If anyone wants to offer pointers or corrections on Arabic or other personal or place names, even that of the nation itself, please send me a telegram! I am anything but an expert on the language.

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