WRITE a blog post in which you consider the following: in which ways do the three primary Islamic empires tolerate diversity and in which ways do they seek to eradicate or stifle diversity? And is there a qualitative difference between religious and ethnic tolerance?

With the Safavid, Ottoman, and Mughal Empires, we see all sides of the spectrum with tolerance of diversity. All three used their tactics of various levels of tolerance of diversity to try to positively effect their empire. The Ottoman empire was very tolerant with other cultures. Though the empire was mostly Muslim, they allowed, and even encouraged, other religions such as Jews and Christians. The reason this was effective is because it brought in new ideas and cultures into the empire, along with increasing the numbers of the population in general. The Mughal Empire tried to go right in the middle by creating a religion that used beliefs from many religions. This was effective because it gave people enough of their own beliefs, but at the same time brought a commonness to bring multiple people together. When people work together, it makes a much more well working empire. The Safavid Empire was much less tolerant with religion. People who joined the Safavid Empire were forced into becoming Muslims. Though at times diversity can lead to disagreement and conflict, I do not think the Safavid Empire made the right decision, because in this case they are keeping themselves from the richness of other cultures that would positively influence the empire.

In general, it is easier to be tolerant of Ethnicity than Religion from the surface. I think that cultural and religious diversity is more beneficial to an area because it brings new, foreign ideas, beliefs, and practices that end up bringing people together to find the best of all topics. However, it is also more difficult to be religiously tolerant because it seems that difference in religion would lead to argument, as it definitely could possibly. Ethnic diversity is different and easier to tolerate because difference in ethnicity usually does not alter world view as much as difference in religion.