Al-Andalus (World of Sultans)

The Republic of Andalusia (Mozarabic: La Jumurijah de Andalusía, Arabic: جمهورية الأندلس, Al-Jumhūrīyah al-Andalus, Spanish: La República de Andalucía) also known as Al-Andalus or Andalusia is a country located in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula in western Europe with two islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Andalusia is located within a close proximity of Morocco's northern border. Al-Andalus is one of three Muslim countries in Europe, the other two being Albania and Turkey.

Andalusia has a rich history and culture, having a blend of Western European, Middle Eastern and North African influence. The area now known as Al-Andalus has experienced a civilized history dating all the way back to Roman rule, and later a back-and-forth affair between Christian and Islamic rule, until Aben Humeya and Aben Aboo initiated the successful Morisco Uprising, which paved the way for the eventual Muslim victory and consequently, control of the southern Iberian Peninsula.

During the Age of Exploration, the Andalusian Empire functioned as a major role player and global competitor, conquering and acquiring overseas territories in North Africa, East Africa, Central America and Southeast Asia. During the 1920s, Andalusia miraculously escaped the Great Depression. During World War II, Andalusia joined on the side of the Allies and during the Cold War, joined the Non-Aligned Movement.

Andalusia is currently a member of many global organizations, including the United Nations, European Union, Mediterranean Union, Arab League, Union of European Muslim Nations and the Global Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

History
Andalusia's history mirrors that of Spain and Portugal's. Human-like remains have been found in what is now Andalusia and Spain that date back to 1.2 million years back.

Roman Era
During the Second Punic Wars, the Romans extended their territory to conquer what is now Andalusia and Spain around 210 BC after defeating Hannibal. The peoples of Iberia eventually began speaking the Latin language. The Iberian Peninsula was known as Hispania which is the ancient Latin-Roman name for this state. Eventually Portugal became ''Lusitania. ''Around 409 AD is when the Roman Empire would eventually decay, this is when the Muslim presence in the Iberian Peninsula would start.

First Moorish Muslim Era
Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula would begin to take shape around 711 AD, when the area that now comprises of modern-day Spain and Portugal were conquered by Muslim armies from North Africa. They were referred to as the Moors after Mauretania, an ancient Berber state in North Africa. Andalusia's name comes from the Arabic word Al-Andalus, which some have theorized to be a corrupted term for Vandals, a Germanic group that had settled in the Iberian Peninsula at the time of Islamic conquest. Muslim rule in Iberia was not unified, with several sultanates, emirates and independant Berber-speaking states known as taifas being formed. Different Muslim armies also fought for control over Al-Andalus. Nonetheless, the Moors built many splendid and glorious structures, include one made from the remains of an old Roman temple and Visigothic church. They also built the Alhambra Palace which housed the Sultan and his queen and those of the royal status. Christians were allowed to remain practicing their faiths of course to pay an extra tax. This self-competition amongst the Arabs and Muslims themselves would prove to be a great disadvantage for them as this allowed Spanish, Portuguese and French soldiers to successfully re-capture the Iberian Peninsula and revert the people to Catholicism.

The Reconquista
Starting in 722 AD, would be the Reconquista. This is a Spanish and Portuguese word meaning "the recapturing" in which European forced would re-capture the Iberian Peninsula from the Muslim rule. While the Reconquista began in 722 AD, it should not successfully take shape until the 1400s. Europeans such as the Franks also helped in this invasion. In 1492, Granada, the last Muslim stronghold in southern Spain was destroyed and taken over. Muhammad XII refused to surrender himself, he said, "I would rather die fighting for God than to submit to Spain." Muhammad XII fought to the last bit of energy before bleeding to death in battle. Thus, Spain, Andalusia and Portugal remained under European and Catholic control. Following the Reconquista, much of the Arabic architecture remained intact in Spain. But they were converted to Catholic churches. Many of the majority former Muslims were reverted to Roman Catholicism. For a while, former Muslims were allowed to keep speaking Arabic and follow their traditional culture. Eventually that was eliminated and many speakers of Arabic were expelled from the kingdom. The reason the Moors could not hold the Spanish forces back were due to the lack of a "unified" army between the Arabs. This allowed the Europeans to reconquer the Iberian Peninsula.

Spanish Occupation
Al-Andalus then became a territory of Spain, known as ''Andalucia. ''The Arabic and Islamic influence in the region simply became a remnant for a short while. Most of the population converted to Roman Catholicism. It isn't until 1540 that the Second Reconquista began.

Morisco Revolt
When the Muslims lost control of Spain, King Philip signed a treaty with the Muslims allowing them religious freedom for sovereignty. However, due to Moorish and other Muslim revolts, the Kings of Spain retracted and began a period of assimilation for the Arabs, Jews and Berbers of Andalusia. These converts to Roman Catholics were known as Moriscos, and were prohibited from even following Arab culture. A Morisco general by the name of Aben Humeya (originally born as Fernando de Válor), his correct Arabic name Ibn Umayyah (Arabic: بن أمية), led a revolt in the Alpujarras Mountains. Aben Humeya eventually seized control of the Alpujarras Region of Spain, defeating Castilian and other European forces. King Ferdinand II of Aragon was defeated, he and his forces retreated to the northern parts where they were chased by the Morisco armies. However, Ferdinand II and the united Christian armies of the north were able to fend off the invading Moriscos.

Treaty of Andalusia
After several failed invasions and incursions into the southern Iberian Peninsula by the Spanish Christian armies, Aben Humeya signed the Treaty of Andalusia with the northern Catholic kings. This would promise that each one another would stay away from each other's territories. The Treaty of Andalusia divided the Iberian Peninsula into a Morisco-controlled south, and a Spanish Christian-controlled north.

Afterwards, Aben Humeya proclaimed himself sultan, as Muhammad ibn Ummayah (Arabic: محمد بن أمية). However, this resulted in a civil war with a prominent Muslim from Ugíjar by the name of Diego Alguacil, commencing the Morisco Civil War. Aben Humeya's cousin, Aben Aboo foiled Diego's plan, and along with Aben Humeya, the two went to battle against Alguacil's armies. Aboo emerged victorious but Aben Humeya was killed. AAben Aboo proclaimed himself the new undisputed ruler of Al-Andalus, adopting the titles Sultan and Emir.

Aben Aboo held a funeral pyre for Aben Humeya, and promising to continue Aben Humeya's policies. One of these policies was the re-opening of trade with North Africa, as more Muslims were brought in from North Africa, many of them searching for new job opportunities. Aben Aboo also adopted Aben Humeya's son, Amád and crowned him as a prince, along with his legitimate son Belál.

Rule of Fajád Aben Aboo the "Muslim Reconquista"
Fajád Abén Aboo, a grandson of Aben Aboo, converted to Islam and established a sultanate in Al-Andalus. He was coronated as Sultan Fahad I of Granada. Fajád Aben Aboo, wanted to avenge the expulsion of the Moriscos, by instigating what is known as the "Muslim Reconquista". Fajàd had heard word of bitter quarreling between the wealthy Castilian Catholics and the middle class Muslims living in Al-Balansiya. Those Castilian-speaking Catholics had also served under the Catholic monarchs during the Catholic Reconquista. Afterwards, by royal decree of Sultan Fajád, the Castilian Catholics underwent deportations, many were deported to the Christian nation of Spain up north. They were stripped of their wealth, and could only keep 1/4 of their assets. The Catholic monarchs of Spain up north invited them in as refugees.

In addition, most Roman Catholic churches in Al-Andalus were converted to mosques, with most of their clergy being forcefully converted or facing the threat of expulsion.

Sultan Fajád also banned Castilian Spanish texts, making Arabic the sole official language used in courts and education. Bibles had to be printed in Arabic.

He embarked on a large trade network with Morocco and Egypt, inviting large masses of impoverished North Africans to settle and work in the kingdom, this had made Muslims once again, the majority in Al-Andalus.

Second Andalusian-Spanish Wars
In the 1500s, the Spanish Empire had grown powerful. Waleed, the Sultan of Al-Andalus saw Spain's growing power as an imminent threat, and feared that the Imperial Spanish Army would launch a ground invasion of Al-Andalus in an act of vengance for Aben Humeya's victory against them.

The Spanish Empire wanted to convert the natives of its conquered territories to Roman Catholicism. Knowing this, Sultan Waleed built massive fortifications and military defenses in northern Al-Andalus. He sent scouts to spy on Imperial Spanish activity. In addition, Sultan Waleed purchased weapons from the British Empire, an enemy of Spain - knowing that his military's equipment was outdated compared to the superior weaponry of the Imperial Spanish Army. In addition, Sultan Waleed ordered civilians to remain heavily armed, and keep weapons, ammunition and anything that could be used to fight back.

In 1532, Sultan Waleed's fears had come to fruition. Andalusian scouts had sent tried to send warnings to the sultan of the coming Spanish invasion, but were killed by Spanish coverts. On the night of September 3, 1589, Spanish armadas pounded the western coasts of Al-Andalus. On September 5, there was another attack, this time in the north. Thanks to Sultan Waleed's implementation of civilian armament, the Spanish attack was decisively repulsed.

Colonial Race
In a fit of rage against the Spanish Empire for breaking their treaties with Aben Humeya and Aben Aboo, Sultan Waleed used his wealth to fund expeditions, and join in the race for overseas colonial territory in the New World. Sultan Waleed hired a Jewish sailor by the name of Abu Yusuf to go comandeer the Andalusian galleons. Sultan Waleed sent traders, consuistadors, architects and Islamic missionaries.

Africa
In 1592, Sultan Waleed funded the first Andalusian expedition, into North Africa and East Africa. Waleed built positive relations with the realms of Egypt and Sudan. Now, Sultan Waleed moved to help the various Somali and Afar sultanates fight the Abyssinian Empire in East Africa. In 1597, the Moorish conquistadors, along with their Somali, Morocca and Egyptian allies, conquered Adis Ababa. The succeeding sultan, Fadil I divided the territory among his brothers as well as the Egyptians and East Africans that helped Sultan Waleed conquer Ethiopia. Fadil I sent Islamic missionaries, artists and architects into Adis Ababa. Under the reign of Sultan Fadil I, the Moorish conquerers continued their architectural legacy, building massive and beautiful palaces in Adis Ababa.

When Sultan Fadil's brother, Prince Hidayat died in 1600, he began to target the native Ethiopian population to convert to Islam. Moorish missionaries were successful in converting a native Ethiopian chief to Islam, giving him the name Amjad. Rather than placing his brothers or those of the Ibn Umayyah dynasty into power, he gave control of Adis Ababa to Amjad. Prince Amjad led a very influential rule in Adis Ababa as its second Wali of Adis Ababa, and established himself as one of the most powerful and influential Ethiopian rulers.

During Amjad's rule, saw the introduction of Arabic alphabet for the Amharic language. Amjad also funded the building of large mosques in Adis Ababa. After failed attempts by Ethopian Christians, with Spanish help to take Adis Ababa from Muslim rule, the Christians would re-take Adis Ababa and Ethiopia by 1754, expelling most of the Muslims. The Muslims would all flee to Somalia, Egypt or Andalusia.

Central America
Known as Abu Yusuf's Voyage, the Andalusians eventually reached the city of Tenochtitlan in Mexico, which had already been captured and conquered by the Spaniards. However, Tenochtitlan's governer already had developed an avid hate for the Spanish Crown. The Moorish conquistadors were surprised to find the high existance of Morisco women in Tenochtitlan, promising to avenge their misery at the hands of the Spaniards.

The Moorish conquistador Muhammad Abu Walid eventually supplied Tenochtitlan's resistance force, and swiftly defeated Spanish soldiers in the area. In addition, one of his missionaries successfully converted Tenoctitlan's governer to Islam, crowning him as Sultan Saladin, named after the famous Kurd that conquered Jerusalem. This has established the first and only Islamic state in Latin America. The Moorish rulers brought with them the Arabic and Mozarabic languages, instructing the peoples of Tenochtitlan in Arabic.

Spanish conquistadors made many attempts to fight the Moorish conquistadors, resulting in a proxy-war between the Sultanate of Andalusia and the Spanish Empire. The Moorish conquistadors ended up victorious, and retaining Tenochtitlan's sovereignty from Spanish rule. The sultanate ended up existing as a colony of Andalusia.

Southeast Asia
With their newly conquered territory in Central America, the Moorish rulers and their Mexican allies were now free to make a push towards the Asia-Pacific Region. Sultan Waleed sent more fleets of Andalusian armadas and galleons, using Mexico as a stop-over. In 1623, the Moorish arrived in the Port of Ambon in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. They then continued, reaching the Philippine island of Mindanao. The Moorish conquistadors were dismayed to find the Philippine and Maluku archipelagos under Spanish rule, however were to pleased to find a strong Muslim presence in these islands. However, the Moors were still very angered to see the Moro Muslims of the southern Philippines (today Bangsamoro) and the Maluku Archipelago (namely the Ternateans and Tidorese) quarreling. They were even more surprised at the fact that Mindanao's people were referred to as Moors or Moros by the Spaniards. Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, the feared Sultan of Maguindanao was instrumental in helping spearhead the Moorish conquest of Mindanao and helping the conquistador Muhammad Abu Walid flush the Spaniards out of Mindanao and the southern Philippine archipelago. Abu Walid and Sultan Kudarat were two of the most feared rulers of the southern Philippine archipelago.

The Iberian Moors would help their southern Philippine counterparts wage war against the Spaniards. In this case, the various sultanates of Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, Palawan and the Maluku Archipelago were established as protectorate and colony states of the Andalusian Empire. In addition, the Moorish troops drove the Spaniards out of Ambon City, however they maintained peace with Portugal, another enemy of Spain.

Third Andalusian-Spanish Wars
During the 1800s, the Spanish Empire would again make an attempt subdue Al-Andalus to avenge for Aben Humeya and Aben Aboo's successful liberation against the Catholic Spanish monarchs in the 1500s. Tired of Spain's constant threats, Sultan Ibrahim formed an alliance with Napoleon Bonaparte of France, inviting French troops into Al-Andalus and allowing them to pass through the territory.

Successfully conquering Spain, Bonaparte gave a share of land to Sultan Ibrahim, extending the northern borders of Al-Andalus north into including all of Toledo, 142 km north beyond the borders set forth by the treaty signed by Aben Humeya and the Catholic monarchs.

Eventually, Sultan Ibrahim embarked one of the biggest pogroms of Andalusian nationalism. While not "officially" banning Spanish in Al-Andalus, Sultan Ibrahim commanded that all the cities and geographic names of Al-Andalus be changed to their Arabic and pre-Reconquista names. In addition, Sultan Ibrahim made Arabic the language spoken in the courts, and commanded that children be educated in Arabic in the same way that King Ferdinand of Aragon forced children of the Moriscos to be educated by priests, and in Spanish.

Sultan Ibrahim actively promoted Arabic language, and it studies. Berber may have also been promoted.

World War II
Al-Andalus joined on the side of the Allies during World War II. During the wake of the Second World War, Spain's government turned increasingly socialist. Its dictator, Francisco Franco eventually formed an alliance with Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany and Benito Mussolini of Italy.

Fearing that the Spanish regime would use its alliance with Hitler for another major war with Al-Andalus, Sultan Omar established defensive bridges in the northern borders of Al-Andalus. Though Francisco Franco and Adolf Hitler both assured Sultan Omar that Al-Andalus would be kept out of their sights.

Groups of Royal Army Scouts, led by Prince Ahmad reported back to Sultan Omar that Spanish forces were amassing north of Al-Andalus. As a result, Sultan Omar amassed and mobilized the Royal Andalusian Forces for combat, established heavily fortified defenses in northern Al-Andalus as the country's economy shifted towards a wartime economy. Steel factories were re-focused to developing weapons and war supplies. Sultan Omar already had earlier suspicions that the socialist uprising in Spain would trigger another inevitable war with Al-Andalus.

In 1941, the Spanish forces, supplied by Nazi Germany, began their invasion of northern Al-Andalus using Nazi-style blitzkriegs, what the Spanish Army referred to as "Toros Relámpagos" literally meaning "lightning bulls". Despite being militarily supported by Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler disagreed with Francisco Franco's decision to invade Al-Andalus. During a conversation with Henreich Himmler, Adolf Hitler went as far as to say, "Francisco Franco is one stupid man. He better pay us back with a victory in Al-Andalus."

Throughout 1942, the Imperial Spanish forces launched ruthless lightning bull attacks against important military positions in Al-Andalus, eventually overwhelming many Andalusian troops. They overran or captured much of the northern defenses in Al-Andalus by storm. In addition, Nazi-supplied Spanish warplanes bombarded key Andalusian cities. However, Franco gave the Spanish Air Force orders not to bomb important historical landmarks in Al-Andalus. The Andalusians also lacked the proper military equipment to face the might of the superior Nazi military weapons, as the Humeya Division tank forces were annhilated by Spanish Panzer Groups. The Andalusians did not have a sufficient air force, were only beginning to test their new air force. Many of the Andalusian war planes were annihilated in swift air battles against the German-supplied Spanish Luftwaffe.

In 1943, the Andalusians formed several paramilitary groups, namely the Andalusian Republican Army and the Moorish Resistance Force. Despite the Spanish forces initially starving Al-Qurtubah, the Andalusians fought with a stubborn resistance. By 1942, most northern Al-Andalus had been successfully taken over by the Spanish forces. In addition, Adolf Hitler was getting impatient with Francisco Franco, and told him that Al-Andalus had better be completely conquered by the end of 1943 through 1944.

Thanks to Franco's order not to bomb historical sites, these were used as a forts by anti-aircraft squads. Knowing his plan backfired, Franco ordered careful ground assaults against historical sites.

The once-successful invading Spanish forces continued to suffer defeats, at the hands of stubborn Andalusian resistance. In addition, Egyptian, Algerian and Moroccan volunteers joined the Andalusian resistance. As the Battle of Normandy raged, Allied forces airlifted supplies to the Royal Andalusian Forces, as well as the various guerrilla and paramilitary groups.

In addition, many Spanish citizens had begun to form paramilitary groups to overthrow Francisco Franco's regime, intitially worsening his situation and ensuring his complete failure to invade Al-Andalus. These paramilitary groups supported the Andalusian resistance. In northern Al-Andalus and southern Spain, some groups united to form the Iberian United Revolutionary Resistance Force.

In August of 1944, Adolf Hitler cut off military supplying to Franco's army, since he was already dealing with the Allied invasion. Plus, Franco and Hitler were already having bad political relations and disagreements, as the two nearly went to war against one another. Hitler has actually contemplated on overthrowing Franco. In September of 1944, after liberating France from Nazi Germany, the Allies began to mobilize for a push to liberate Spain from Franco's rule. Along the way, they met Spanish guerrillas who shared the intent of overthrowing Franco. When the Allies liberated Barcelona, they were met with resistance leader prince Juan III or Infante Juan of Barcelona. The Allies and the Spanish resistance eventually crowned Juan III as Spain's new king.

The encirclement was complete, with the Andalusian forces pushing the Spanish up north and the Allies pushing from the north, Francisco Franco fled. The Andalusians continued the invasion into southern Spain. Franco was eventually found by a mix of Andalusian soldiers, and Spanish resistance militants.

With the coronation of King Juan III of Spain, Francisco Franco was placed under military arrest. In addition, all of his officers and soldiers were also placed under military arrest.

The Allied victory eventually marked a new turning point in the history of Al-Andalus and Spain, with Sultan Omar and King Juan III signing the Treaty of Iberia, marking a new age of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, the first such act in over centuries. World War II was known to have ended the bitter rivalry between the two nations. The war was thought of many as a continuation of the bitter history between the Moors and Catholics, Francisco Franco made it clear that religion was the last of his concerns. Franco's true plan and intent was to establish a puppet socialist in Al-Andalus.

While in prison, Franco told officers, "Everyone accuses me ot trying to repeat the Reconquista. They are as right as saying pigs fly, I never did that, it was never my intention. Had I succeeded in conquering Al-Andalus, I could seriously could have cared less who prayed in a mosque, or a church or a synagogue."

Cold War
During the Cold War, Al-Andalus joined the Non-Aligned Movement. In addition, the Andalusians joined on the side of the Palestinians and Arabs during the Arab-Israeli Conflict.

During 1975, Sultan Omar II abdicated the throne amid a peaceful revolution that sought to transition the Andalusian political system from a monarchy to a presidential democracy. Mamoud Saáb, who fought as a member of the Andalusian Republican Army during World War II, was elected as the first President of the Republic of Al-Andalus. Sultan Omar II remained prominent by being elected as the country's first Minister of Defense.

President Mamoud Saáb initiated many economic reforms, initiating many welfare policies. Saáb also worked to improve political relations with Spain and Portugal.

Founding of the Republic of Andalusia
A lesson learned from World War II, President Saáb and Omar II increased military and defense spending in the country. Concerns were raised when Omar II proposed acquiring nuclear weapons, however they both abandoned the project. However, the Andalusian Armed Forces continued to advance rocket technology, spawning the H-1 Ballistic Missile, a variant of the Soviet V-3 Rockets. The Andalusians would later supply the Egyptian and Syrian armies with H-1 Missiles in their war against Israel.

In 1990, as a result of Israel's military actions in the Middle East, the Andalusian government closed off relations with Israel. President Tamír Amád and Minister of Defense Daúd Obidála ordered the shutdown of the Israeli embassy in Al-Qurtubah. He also ordered the evacuation of Andalusian diplomats and ambassadors in Israel, they evacuated a day before president Amád made the public announcement.

During the Russo-Islamic War, Andalusia announced that it would help the Imperial Russian Armed Forces fight terrorists.

Arab Spring
During the 2010-2011 Arab Spring, President Abdúla Aboo Jámza of the Moorish National Party denounced the actions of rioteers and protesters against various leaders in the Arab World. Aboo Jámza stated his intent to create a "Moorish spring", in what he referred to as an "Arab Spring" of another type, a non-violent one. President Aboo Jámza rather enhanced Andalusian nationalism, encouraging Andalusian citizens to embrace their country, their heritage and their history. Due to his denouncing of the Arab Spring, Aboo Jámza was put under media scrutiny, but despite this - he remained largely popular and supported in the country.

Aboo Jámza embarked on a series of nationalistic cultural shifts, including the promotion of Andalusian Arabic as the country's main language, while Mozarabic, Spanish and Standard Arabic remained official languages.

In addition, Aboo Jámza attempted to unify all the religious groups of the country, by including Christian and Jewish holidays as public holidays, in addition to the Islamic ones. However, Aboo Jámza once more went under media scrutiny when he stated that he rejects the Syrian Opposition to Bashar al-Assad's regime, and for calling the Muslim Brotherhood a "terrorist organization".

The King of Spain was positive and complementary of Aboo Jámza, stating that the Spanish Monarchy was willing to assist the Andalusians to all external and internal threats. Under Aboo Jamza's presidency, Andalusia escaped the violence of the Arab Spring and became ranked as the safest Muslim country of 2011.

Aboo Jámza's term ended in 2011, and he came down as one of the most respected leaders of Andalusia. In the 2011 Andalusian Elections, Chayk Jamdán Abdkazár of the Moorish National Party, Aboo Jámza's Minister of Defense during his presidency, won the elections and would become the next President of Andalusia.

Modern Day Politics and Administrations
Today Andalusia is a presidential republic. Andalusia's elections take place on a five-year term, and is a unicameral legislature. Unlike other presidential republics, the president does not assume the title of Commander in Chief. That job is given to the Minister of Defense, who is elected separately, and must have military experience.

Andalusia has been under the powerful influences of the Aben Humeya, Abén Aboo, Alazád and Saáb families. The Aben Humeya (correct spelling Ibn Umayyah) and Abén Aboo families are descendants of the Umayyad rulers. Andalusia's current president is Alkazím Assad of the National Moorish Party. Other influential political parties include the Liberal-Progressive Party of Al-Andalus, the Communist Party of Al-Andalus and the Islamic National Party of Al-Andalus.

However, historically, Andalusia has had trouble dealing with some political turbulence between families and clans. The most noted rivalry are than of the Aben Humeya and Abén Aboo families, whose rivalry dates back to the civil war between the two Morisco leaders of the same names.

Military
The Andalusian Armed Forces (Mozarabic: Fuerzas Alkuates de Andalusia, Arabic: القوات المسلحة الأندلس, Spanish: Fuerzas Armas de Andalucía) forms the armed wing of the government of Al-Andalus. It consists of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Constabulary.

Andalusia's armed forces is divided into four main Regional Commands, which act the largest military division in Andalusia. They are the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Commands.

Ever since World War II, the Andalusian government has placed an emphasis on keeping a strong modern military with technology up to date. It has active Armadas (or war fleets) operating in the Mediterranean Sea as well as its western coasts, to combat piracy from North Africa and East Africa.

Andalusia boasts of its long naval history, and has built a reputation for having one of the world's most advanced navies. During the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Andalusian Navy provided vital aid to the Egyptian Navy in scoring mant key tactical victories against the Israeli Navy.

In 2004, Andalusia chose not to participate in the Iraq War. Politicians and military leaders from the western world ridiculed the Andalusian government as being "selfish".

Ethnic Groups
About 85% of Andalusia's people are Mozarabs, who are also known as Moorish people. The word Mozarab comes from the Arabic term "Musta'arab" meaning "one who adopts Arab ways". The Mozarab people actually come from a mixture of Arab, Berber and native Iberian descent, many who are of pure Arab or Berber descent. A handful of the Mozarabs still speak the Arabic or Berber toungues of their ancestors, others code-switch in between both.

Ethnic identity is often a point of controversy, as many Mozarabs consider themselves to be Arab, and pan-Arab sources consider them as so. Other sources label them as a separate ethnic group, that evolved from a mixture of North African and Iberian people. Palestinian nationalist Yasser Arafat refers to them as "fully Arab".

Andalusia contains many Sephardic Jews, who comprise 10% of the population. Aben Humeya allowed them into the region after the Morisco victories over the Castilian armies. The Ben Maimon family is the prominent Jewish family, acclaimed descendants of Maimonides.

Languages
Currently Mozarabic, Andalusian Arabic and Andalusian Spanish are the national languages of Andalusia, with Standard Arabic and Standard Spanish reserved as official languages. Mozarabic, an Ibero-Romance language, is spoken as a native vernacular by most of the people. The name comes from the Arabic word musta-arab meaning "one who adopts Arab ways". The Mozarabic language contains a heavy infusion of Arabic, Persian and Turkish words, as well as some of other Romance languages such as Spanish and Portuguese. Mozarabic is often jokingly known as "Muslim Spanish" or "Iberian Arabic-Spanish". Mozarabic is currently written in the Latin script, it was historically written in the Arabic script, and there are plans to re-introduce the Arabic script into official usage. In 1995, the Andalusian government tried to re-introduce the Arabic script into usage. However, most students and elders had difficulty learning it. In 2010, then-president Abdúla Aboo Jámza approved the official use of the Arabic script for the Mozarabic language.

Although Arabic has always been spoken in Andalusia, particularly Andalusian Arabic, Standard Arabic was the chosen official dialect. However in 2010,  in an act of Andalusian nationalism, President Aboo Jamza funded the establishment of the Andalusian Arabic Academy in Al-Qurtubah, to standardize and regulate Andalusian Arabic. Aboo Jámza officially changed the country's national language to Andalusian Arabic in June 6, 2011, reserving Standard Arabic as a second official state language. Andalusian Arabic, though spoken only by approximately 27.8% of Andalusians, is well-understood by many more people, due to its overwhelming influence on the Mozarabic language and the Andalusian dialect of Spanish. Aboo Jámza paid scholars and linguists to educate the public, and promote Andalusian Arabic as an official medium.

The same can be said of Spanish, while Andalusian Spanish is the vernacular spoken, Standard Spanish has always been the officially recognized. A year after Andalusian Arabic replaced Standard Arabic, Aboo Jámza funded the establishment of the Andalusian Spanish Academy, to standardize and regulate Andalusian Spanish. The language has striking resemblances to the Mozarabic language, to where it can be mistaken as Mozarabic. This dialect is spoken as a second or third language by at least 79% of Anadalusia's population.

Other languages spoken in Andalusia include Berber and Ladino.

The Jews of Andalusia speak Judeo-Arabic, Hebrew and Ladino. There are several Ladino-speaking communities, primarily in Al-Qurtubah and Granada, along with Judeo-Arabic speaking communities.

Religion
About 63% of Andalusians are Muslims, particularly the Sunni branch. Many are also followers of Ibadi Islam, a Sunni section originating from North Africa. Though while there is no official state religion, the Andalusian government currently recognizes all Islamic holidays as public holidays. Towns and municipalities are also given the right to forbid pork and alcohol sales.

The second largest group are the Christians, particularly Roman Catholics. The City of Al-Qurtubah contains an independent Archdiocese, known as the Archdiocese of Al-Qurtubah (Mozarabic: Alcanizát de Cordóba, Arabic: أبرشية قرطبة, Spanish: Arquidiócesis de Córdoba), where it is under the jurisdiction of Bishop Hernán Abdulaziz. Historically, much of its clergy consisted of Castilians. However during the rule of Fajad Aben Aboo, Moriscos and North African Christians slowly began to integrate and infiltrate into the clergy. By the 1700s, the entire clergy of Andalusia's Catholic churches were of Middle Eastern, North African or Morisco background.

The Catholics of Andalusia follow a unique blend of Catholicism, and practices from their Muslim counterparts. Following the Morisco victory, most Moriscos kept Christianity with elements of Islam as cultural practices those that remained Muslims were the Crypto-Muslims and Crypto-Jews who were no longer obligated to keep practicing Islam or Judaism in secret.

However starting with the reign of Aben Aboo, massive trade with North Africa encouraged mass migration of Muslims to Al-Andalus, in which they would again, form the majority.

Aben Aboo's grandson, Fajad converted to Islam and eventually established the Sultanate of Al-Andalus. King Fajad re-introduced the Islamic politics into the kingdom. However, he also created freedom of religion for Christians and Jews, and lowered the jizyah taxes they had to pay.

The Jewish Andalusians claim to have descent from Maimonides, the Ibn Maymun family forms one of the most prominent families of Andalusia.

The Christians of Andalusia are known as Moriscos, the Muslims are known as Moors and the Jews are known as Sephardis.

Immigration Issues
Because of northern Morocco and southern Andalusia's close proximity, Andalusia is prone to entrants of illegal migrants from Morocco, most tend to be Muslim.

In 2012, about 2,003 illegal Moroccans living in Malaga were deported back to Morocco. In 2013, an additional 349 illegal Algerians living in Al-Malaqah were deported. Piracy and crime has become a rabid problem among the illegal North Africans residing in Andalusia, with most cases of violent crimes and assaults being attributed to undocumented North African settlers in Andalusia.

The Andalusian Navy, as well as the Andalusian National Immigration Security have proposed to deport more than 8,430 illegal Moroccans and Algerians living in Andalusia.

However, opponents of these proposals, mostly members of the Liberal-Progressive Party and the Islamic National Party oppose such a plan, but for different reasons. Liberal-Progressives oppose it, in favor of allowing the undocumented North Africans to settle and find new opportunities at new lives. Islamic Nationalists argue that the North Africans are brethren via Islam, and are bound together with the Andalusian by a common culture, history and religion.

Ethnic Issues
There has also been ethnic issues in Andalusia, regarding people of Castilian ancestry which had persisted through ever since Aben Aboo established his rule.

People of partial or notable Castilian ancestry in Andalusia undergo ethnic discrimination, and the teaching of Castilian as a native language is highly discouraged, the use of the term "Spanish" to refer to Andalusians is seen as social taboo in Andalusia.