However , the entrance of the Almoravides from North Africa in the 11th century saw harsh measures taken against both Christians and Jews . As part of this repression there were pogroms against Jews in Cordova in 1011 and in Granada in 1066 . The Almohads , who by 1147 had taken control of the Almoravids ' Maghribi and Andalusian territories , took a less tolerant view still and treated the '' dhimmis '' harshly . Faced with the choice of either death or conversion , many Jews and Christians took a third option if they could , and fled . Some , such as the family of Maimonides , went east to more tolerant Muslim lands , while others went northward to settle in the growing Christian kingdoms . At certain times in the Middle Ages , in Egypt , Syria , Iraq and Yemen , decrees ordering the destruction of synagogues were enacted . Jews were forced to convert to Islam or face death in parts of Yemen , Morocco and Baghdad . 6,000 Jews were killed by a Muslim mob during the 1033 Fez massacre . There were further massacres in Fez in 1276 and 1465 , and in Marrakesh in 1146 and 1232
1033 Fez massacre
1033 Fez massacre
History of antisemitism