Evaluate the impact of Fatimid ideology on religious relations with Muslims, Coptic Christians and Jews.

Candidates are required to make an appraisal of Fatimid ideology on religious relations with Muslims, Coptic Christians and Jews. Candidates may refer to the Ismaili branch of the Shi'a followed by the Fatimids who, being a minority amongst Muslims, applied a tolerant policy. The caliphs' interest in winning new Muslims through religious persuasion instead of forcing conversion also demonstrated their tolerant attitude. Candidates may focus their response on discussions of religious relations or they may combine that discussion with examples of the wider impact of Fatimid ideology on society as detailed in the markscheme. This had an impact especially noticeable in the economy where Muslims, Coptic Christians and Jews shared many activities. Since an important part of the revenue for the Fatimids was derived from customs dues, trade and taxes, they neither created monopolies nor harassed small merchants and artisans, and allowed for close contacts among religious communities. While other relevant factors may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.

Candidates were required to make an appraisal of the Fatimid ideology on religious relations with Muslims, Coptic Christians and Jews. A number of candidates were able to explain the nature of the relationships, although some responses involved descriptions of impacts particularly in the commercial area.