Morisco/as dangerous migration to new Spain

[anah_ibrahim]

Morisco/morisca were former Muslims in Spain who were forcibly converted to Christianity sometime between the 15th and 16th centuries. Despite their conversion, many believed Moriscos to continue practicing Islam, threatening their loyalty to the Spanish crown. While many Morisco/Moriscas migrated to Spanish America or New Spain, their negative image prevailed in other continents.

Morisco/morisca migration to New Spain was dangerous for several reasons rooted in their suspected disloyalty to the Spanish crown. Firstly, their presence was viewed as a threat to the catholic church, and their catholic identity was often questioned. Although many Moriscas accepted catholicism, Cook mentions how some continued to practice Islam. Moriscos were forced to practice Islam secretly and quietly to avoid prosecution by the Spanish Inquisition. On the outside, Moriscos were ‘Christian’, on the inside they were Muslim. Secondly, morisco's loyalty was threatened by their suspected ties to the Ottoman Empire. Many believed that Muslims had been working for the Ottomans to undermine the Spanish. Any evidence of practicing Muslims in New Spain became a threat of potential prosecution which made their migration very dangerous.