The Profile of a Convert in Safavid Iran

Abstract

This chapter introduces the case of a Portuguese Augustinian missionary who converted to Islam in late seventeenth century Iran and worked as a court translator for the Shah, adopting the name of ʿAli Quli Jadid al-Islam. It situates his story within the broader context of conversion to Islam and of the history of Muslim-Christian relations in the early modern period. It also provides an overview of the status of Christians in Safavid Iran, concentrating both on indigenous Christian groups like Georgians and Armenians, as well as on European missionaries.