* Add’ru Lbayd’ = Was founded in the 10 century B.C.E. by Berber fishermen. The area passed through numerous hands
until, in 1515, the Portuguese rebuilt Add’ru Lbayd’, and renamed it Casa Branca. By 1781, Spanish troops and sea
merchants took it over and renamed it Casa Blanca. 1906, the port of Casablanca is starting to be developed, and the city
name becomes the official name which it is known by today.
* Chatelaine = The wife/mistress of a household or of a large establishment
* Hashishiyya = The ancient word which now translates to assassin. Although there are several explanations surrounding the
origin of this word, many Arabic scholars have agreed that the word can be traced to the Nizari Ismailis, a branch of Shia
Islam which was once located in an area called Hashishiyya. The earliest reported application of the term Hashishiyya to the
Ismailis occurred during the time of the Christian Crusades when the Christian invaders attempted to wipe out all Islamic
believers from Spain, Northern African and a great part of the Middle East. Contrary to the medieval accounts written by the
returning Crusades, the Ismailis were not a band of hashish induced terrorists, but in fact were a group of warriors who
fought, both in overt and covert ways, for the survival of their people and beliefs. Some military scholars considered the
Hashishiyya fighters as the first known warriors to have utilized the style of guerrilla warfare within their own land. It was
through their superior skill and numbers that the Hashishiyyaís were able to fight back the Christian invaders. In some
instances, Hashishiyya members were known to have undertaken covert missions with the intent of not returning alive in order
to kill their target. Modern day scholars believe that the misnomer surrounding the meaning of this word was brought about by
the Crusaders themselves who wished to portray the Hashishiyya as a group of godless people who were less than human
and who were always under the influence of the drug, Hashish.
* Sefarad = Sefarad is the ancient name once used for Sephardic Jews. There are two dominant branches within Judaism.
The Ashkenazic and the Sephardic Jews. While many people are under the misunderstanding that the Yiddish language is the
international language of Judaism, it is really the language of Ashkenazic Jews. The word "Ashkenazic" is derived from the
Hebrew word for Germany. The Ashkenazic are descended from Jews that once lived in Germany and Eastern Europe.
Owing to segregation, either from laws or self-imposed, much of the Ashkenazic culture was not influenced by the Christians
living in their regions. The only influence they had from the European Christians was their Yiddish language which was based
on the German and Hebrew languages. In the mid- to late-1800’s, a large majority of the Ashkenazic Jews immigrated to the
U.S.A., and demographically, they are the largest Jewish population in America today. Despite this great migration, the first
Jewish congregation founded in New York City in 1684, Shearith Israel, was Sephardic and is still active. The first Jewish
congregation in the city of Philadelphia, Congregation Mikveh Israel, was founded in 1740, is also Sephardic, and is still
active.
The word "Sephardic" is derived from the Hebrew word for Spain. Sephardic Jews are the Jews of Spain, Portugal, North
Africa (Morocco) and the Middle East. Sephardic flourished predominately in Spain until the time of the Inquisition. In 1492
Ferdinand and Isabella issued the edict which began the expulsion of Jews from Spain. Many Sephardic Jews migrated to
Turkey, North Africa (Morocco), Italy, and elsewhere throughout the Arab world. Throughout history Sephardic Jews have
been more integrated into the local non-Jewish culture than Ashkenazic Jews. In the Islamic lands where Sephardic Judaism
developed segregation, either voluntarily or legally, was virtually nonexistent. Because of this integration Sephardic Jewish
thought and culture was strongly influenced by Arabic and Greek philosophy and science. Today the Arabic influences can be
found in their music, art, and language. Ladino is the international language spoken by Sephardic Jews and it is based on
Spanish and Hebrew in the same way that Yiddish is based on German and Hebrew.
There are some Jews who do not fit into this Ashkenazic/Sephardic grouping. Yemenite Jews, Ethiopian Jews (also known as
Beta Israel and are sometimes called Falashas), and Asian Jews also have some specific customs and traditions which were
influenced by their region. These smaller groups are virtually unknown in America.
Chapter 10
In that instant, Gabrielle felt an icy coldness surge through her. Yet when she glanced at the woman in front of her, she saw
the sparkle within her dark eyes. Her complexion was dusky, like the people of Morocco, and her eyes had the natural black
line that the healer had marveled over on Zara. When she saw the woman glance at the captain, her lips slightly curved into a
smile, the blonde could not help but feel the woman's love that she held for the tall Moroccan. With a sigh, the Greek woman
stepped forward and took the young woman's hand in hers. She held it firmly as a smile creased her features and in that single
moment, each woman seemed to understand the other.
"My name is Gabrielle," she introduced herself as she heard Zara release an audible sigh.
"Salaam, may Allah bless you,” the tall slender woman bowed formally to Gabrielle. “Welcome to our home," Inaam's voice
was soft and gentle like a song in the early morning. "Shall I set up the guest room for…" she paused at the name as if it was
difficult for her tongue to master, then smiled as she tilted her head slightly, "Will Ga-bri-elle have her own room, or will she
be sharing yours?"
The Moroccan captain glanced nervously from the healer to Inaam. Her cheeks turned ruddy as she nervously gulped, then
looked up at Abu, seeking an answer. The big burly man only shrugged his shoulders as he picked up the bags and moved
toward the house. Following close behind, Isa glanced from his captain, to the two women. After Abu introduced Isa to the
older couple, he began to lead the young man into the house.
"Come along, no need to witness any carnage on this day!" he chuckled as he glanced over his shoulder and winked at Zara,
apparently pleased by her predicament. "Isa, I'll show you where we usually sleep," Abu's booming voice announced as he
disappeared into the house.
Zara expected to feel the Amazon's wrath, but instead, all she felt was the smaller woman's curiosity. When she realized that
Gabrielle would not be angry with her, she released the breath she had been holding and stepped toward the women. As the
older couple came to her, the captain turn and bowed to them in a formal greeting before motioning for Gabrielle to come
forward.
"Gabrielle, this is master Qaidar, and his wife Sahar. Master Qaidar is the maalem of my house, and his gracious wife is our
resident cook," she explained as the couple bowed toward their guest, then smiled as they called them to enter the home.
"Umm… Zara?" Gabrielle stopped her, and glanced at Inaam. When she saw the expectant look from the young mistress of
her home, the captain groaned and shook her head.
"Forgive me, I'm afraid I have not been focused lately. Inaam, if you please, Gabrielle will not need a room, she will be with
me in my quarters. However, you may want to add an additional guest to our home as I've asked Isa to stay on and help with
business matters," she explained as she followed the aged couple into the home.
"Zara, what was it you said Qaidar was?" the storyteller's voice was filled with awe. As they entered the home, her eyes went
everywhere. Afraid of missing something, she looked at the marvelous tiles that ran up the walls and over the ceiling. The
windows and doorframes, like the upstairs windows, were shaped in round ovals at the top. If the outside looked elaborate,
the inside designs around the windows were opulent.
"He is my maalem, my master builder. Everything that you see, the walls, the lattice work, the tiles, the shape of the doors and
windows, even the floor you walk upon, are his creation," she smiled as she bowed again to the older man. Please by her
praises, the old man gave a toothless smile as he returned the bow, then waved away her praise.
"Does mistress Zara wish to discuss the new improvements now, or perhaps later?" The older man's voice was filled with
strength.
"Would that I could, master Qaidar. However, I have pressing needs to tend to at the moment. If you could notify my
solicitors that I have need of them, it would be a blessing for me," she spoke tenderly to the aged man, then turned to Inaam.
"And perhaps, if you could show Gabrielle to..." Before she could finish, a strange wailing sound echoed down the hall.
With a curious arch of a brow, the captain glanced at her servants and Inaam. Each one turned their gaze away, almost afraid
of her reaction. Only Inaam stood immobile and unmoving. After what felt like an eternity, Zara cocked her head, then looked
at the young woman.
"I had hoped to surprise you later," the woman lowered her eyes as she moved past Zara toward the sound. Following close
behind, the mistress of the house shadowed her Moroccan lover down the hall and stood frozen at the entrance to the room
that the captain once used as her study. In the center of the room sat a round, tightly woven basket that was braced on
wooden legs.
"Zara, am I hearing…?" Abu popped his head into another door as he looked around the room.
"Captain, is that a baby?" Isa followed close behind Abu and peered around the large body.
Zara could only look down at the squealing infant. Her brow was furrowed as she examined its tiny features that were emitting
a loud cry. When she craned her head and gazed at Inaam, the woman smiled as she reached into the bassinet and removed
the infant.
