One of the most striking features of the region's history is the enduring prominence of non-Muslims in many learned professions. Even after centuries of Muslim rule and despite the substantial financial incentives and opportunities for social advancement that conversion could provide, the rate of conversion among highly educated groups appears to have remained relatively low. Physicians, for example, continued to be disproportionately Christian and Jewish well into the late Ottoman period. This is particularly striking because these individuals stood to gain considerable material and social advantages simply by outwardly professing Islam, even without sincere belief, yet many nevertheless chose not to do so.
Al Maqdisi writes:
The scribes here in Syria, as is the case in Egypt, are Christians, for the Muslims relying on their native knowledge of the Arabic tongue do not trouble to study it as foreigners do. When attending the assembly of the Chief of the Qadhis at Baghdad, I used to be ashamed at the blunders he made in speaking. However, this is not regarded as a blemish. The majority of the cambists, the dyers, bankers, and tanners of this province are Jews; while the physicians and the scribes are generally Christians.
Still Jerusalem has some disadvantages. Thus, it is reported as found written in the Torah, that 'Jerusalem is a golden basin filled with scorpions.' Then you will not find baths more filthy than those of the Holy City; nor in any place are the charges so heavy. The Christians and the Jews are predominant; and the mosque is void of either congregation or assembly of learned men.
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