Christians and Muslims under Ottoman Rule. In the Writings of Mikhail Breik (d. 1782) and Constantin Fran?ois Chasseboeuf, Volney (1757-1820)

      Аннотация: This study introduces the society of Bilad al Sham in the 18th century as described by a local chronicler Mikhail Brayk (d.1782) and a European traveller Constantin Fran?ois Chasseboeuf, Volney (1757-1820). While focusing on the theme of cohabitation and conflict in that century between the Moslems and the Christians it will give a picture of that society from two different perspectives enabling the reader to penetrate that society from two different angles, the oriental and the European to compare, contrast and draw conclusions from the tangible facts of history, not only to get introduced to the past, but also to understand the present. As Jean Michel Billoud puts it: “The problem is not Christian presence in the Middle East, but the future of the Arab World without the Christians". This study will be of interest to scholars interested in Christian Moslem relations and the status of the Christians under the Ottoman Empire, Christian Arabic Studies, East West encounter, travel literature and the history of Bilad al Sham in the 18th century. It will also be of interest to University students concerned with these topics.

Ключевые слова: Discrimination, East, Encounter, historiography, History, Tolerance, West