Madrid is best known today as the capital of Spain. Yet long before it gained this status, it was founded in the 9th century as a Muslim city by the Umayyad rulers of Al-Andalus. This origin, and the social structure it fostered, remain little acknowledged, but archaeological evidence and historical accounts trace the city’s roots to this period, a time when Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived side by side for centuries.
After being expelled by the Spanish between September 1609 and January 1610, Moriscos found exile in Morocco, most precisely Salé, where they established a Republic. The Corsair city, was heavily known for piracy and operated massively in the Barbary coasts, capturing slaves, ships and organizing raids.