Muslims of Italy

After the Norman conquest of Sicily there was a steady flow of muslims leaving for Tunisia, however while this flow did reduce the muslim population it still existed in large numbers throughout the whole of Norman rule.

During the chaos after the decline of the norman kingdom, when Fredrick II was technically in charge, but effectively not. The muslims establish a self autonomous state in western Sicily. Contrary to what many say, Fredrick did not bring about the decline of muslim sicily. When he took control of the whole of the Realm of Sicily he did fight long wars with the muslims of sicily, and he did deport 20,000 people to Lucera, however he did not deport the majority of the population. After Fredricks Crusade, where his muslim troops proved to be the only troops whose loyalty he could rely upon while excommunicated, Lucera formed the headquarters of the Imperial Muslim Army. One of the main bodies of troops in the Sicilian and Holy Roman Empire armies. This army featured prominently in his battle against the papacy because they were "immune to interdict and excommunication". Nearly sixty years after Fredricks death, in 1300, the papacy had the muslim population of Lucera and Sicily slaughtered, barring those who could flee to Africa.
The current cathedral of lucrea stands on the spot where the Mosque used to stand before it was destroyed in 1300.

The remnants of the Muslim in Sicily/Italy obviously converted to Christianity. It's a natural phenomenon. The same happened to many Muslims in Castille after 1248. And why not? If Christians converted to Islam after the Islamic conquest, why the reverse couldn't apply?

Edited by Sikander - 19-Oct-2007 at 12:58

they have a saying in Sicily iirc like this; Music can change but the melody stays the same.

Vendettas/bloodfeuds and the like are a common feature of all stateless societies where no instance possesses the monopoly of legitimate violence which is the primary fundament of any State. There is no need to explain this phenomena with Arab influence, you'll find it in many societies throughout history with either a weak or non-existent central power.