The Religious Policies of Fatemides and Safavids in Interaction with the Followers of Other Religions

One of the most significant issues of religious governments provoking human curiosity and sometimes worries him is freedom of thought and practice of beleivers in other religions and denominations. In retrospect, historical records can vividly show the view the religious governments held towards religions tolerance and freedom of other religions and denominations. Religious governments have always during their sovereignty encountered vicissitudes, altering from the state of strictness to the state of tolerance. Fatimid and Safavid Shiite governments, two highly significant ones in the history of Islam, have been no exception. Fatimies as Isma’ili Shi’ites have not adopted a unified approach towards Sunnies and non-Muslims and even one caliph’s approach has been subject to changes during his reign. Safavids as Imami Shi’ites enjoying spiritual and Suffi background brought about many challenges with Sunnies from the very beginning of their effort to establish Shiite sovereignty although they had better and more interaction with non-Muslims, Christians in particular, especially during the reign of Shah Abbas I. this research, presenting a historical narration of Fatimi and Saffavid governments, tries to investigate their religious policies and approach as Shiite governments towards the followers of other religions and denominations.