All kinds Quote by Bernard Lewis
“If you look at the movement of refugees, in Vladimir Lenin's phrase, "the people who voted with their feet," the movement of refugees until comparatively modern times was overwhelmingly from West to East, not from East to West. Refugees of all kinds were constantly fleeing from Christendom to the Islamic lands. Jews of course and Muslims of course, but even some Christians and the movement of refugees went overwhelmingly that way.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Arabs in History, 1994
The author notes historically refugees moved from West to East, contrary to modern perceptions, highlighting shifting geopolitical and religious dynamics over centuries.
In simple terms: Refugees historically fled West to East.
Key Takeaway
Understand historical migration patterns.
Themes
migration
history
religion
geopolitics
Mood
analytical
historical
Type
academic
informative
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- historical research
- education
- humanitarian planning
Key Concepts
Push‑pull factors
civilizational change
demographic shifts
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives current refugee flows?
- How do religious boundaries affect migration?
A Different Perspective
Modern data may show opposite trends.
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