Abstract

The paper discusses the use of Arabic script in Judeo-Arabic texts ca 900–1200. The point of departure is the observation that the use of the script for Arabic in the Islamic world was more or less determined by the religion of the writer. Arabic script was thus mainly used by Muslims. The Syrian Christians used Syriac script, while the Jews used Hebrew script. They even transliterated a great number of Arabic works into Hebrew script to make them available for Jewish readers. The use of Arabic script among Jews writing for Jews is thus always noteworthy. Taken together the examples mirror the close relations with contemporary Arab culture among many groups within the Jewish community.