Majus

Majus

Majūs (Arabic and Persian: مجوس, pl. majūsī) was originally a term meaning Zoroastrians[1] (and specifically, Zoroastrian priests). It was a technical term, meaning magus,[2][3] and like its synonym gabr (of uncertain etymology) originally had no pejorative implications.[4]

In al-Andalus the pagan non-Christian population were called majus and could either have the status of mozarab or of majus.

In the 1980s, majus was part of Iraqi propaganda vocabulary of the Iran–Iraq War to refer to Iranians in general. "By referring to the Iranians in these documents as majus, the security apparatus [implied] that the Iranians [were] not sincere Muslims, but rather covertly practice their pre-Islamic beliefs. Thus, in their eyes, Iraq’s war took on the dimensions of not only a struggle for Arab nationalism, but also a campaign in the name of Islam."[5]

The term majus is distinct from Arabic kafir "unbeliever". Persian gabr is no longer synonymous with majus.[4]

References

  1. ^ Curtis, Vesta Sarkhosh & Stewart, Sarah (eds.) (1995). Birth of the Persian Empire: The Idea of Iran, Volume I. London: I. B. Tauris. p. 92.. ISBN 1845110625. 
  2. ^ Steingass, Francis Joseph, ed (1892). "Majūs". A Comprehensive Persian-English dictionary, including the Arabic words and phrases to be met with in Persian literature. London: Routledge & K. Paul. http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.6:1:824.steingass.201687.  p. 1179.
  3. ^ See also: references to Majus/Magi in academic publications
  4. ^ a b "Gabr". Encyclopedia Iranica. 10. Costa Mesa: Mazda. 2001. http://www.iranica.com/articles/v10f3/v10f311.html. 
  5. ^ Al-Marashi, Ibrahim (2000). The Mindset of Iraq’s Security Apparatus. Cambridge University: Centre of International Studies. p. 5. http://www.cambridgesecurity.net/pdf/iraqi-mindset.pdf. 

See also


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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Majus, S. (1) — 1S. Majus, Bischof von Amudarsa in der Byzacenischen Provinz, zur Zeit der Donatistischen Streitigkeiten (um d.J. 411). Er findet sich in der Afr. chr. I. 76, aber in keinem Martyrologium …   Vollständiges Heiligen-Lexikon

  • majus — CĂLŢUNÁŞ s. (bot.; Tropaeolum majus) condurul doamnei, (pop.) nemţoaică, (reg.) conduraş, sultănică, (Olt.) lobidrag, (Transilv.) pinteni (pl.). Trimis de siveco, 30.06.2008. Sursa: Sinonime  ROSTOPÁSCĂ f. Plantă erbacee cu tulpina erectă,… …   Dicționar Român

  • MAJUS Monasterium — Abbatia Gall. celeberrima, Ordinis Benedictini, prope et extra Turones, in opposita Ligeris ripa, a D. Martino instituta, cum coenobio recenti superbissimo; Marmoutier vulgo …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale

  • majus jus — /meyjas jas/ In old practice, greater right or more right. A plea in the old real actions. Majus jus merum, more mere right. A writ proceeding in some customary manors to try a right to land …   Black's law dictionary

  • majus jus — /meyjas jas/ In old practice, greater right or more right. A plea in the old real actions. Majus jus merum, more mere right. A writ proceeding in some customary manors to try a right to land …   Black's law dictionary

  • majus latium — |mä(ˌ)yu̇ˈsläd.ēˌu̇m noun Usage: usually capitalized L Etymology: Latin, literally, greater Latium, from majus greater (neuter of major) + Latium, ancient country of Italy : the right of Roman citzenship granted to the holder of a magistracy in a …   Useful english dictionary

  • Majus (2) — 2Majus et Imeritus (11. Mai), die sonst unbekannt sind, finden sich im Mart. Taml. angezeigt. (II. 611) …   Vollständiges Heiligen-Lexikon

  • majus —   L. great. Culms tall …   Etymological dictionary of grasses

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