How did the policies of al-Hakim affect Christians and Jews in Fatimid territory?

While the Fatimid dynasty was generally known for its religious tolerance toward non-Muslims, the reign of the caliph al-Hakim (996–1021) served as a notable exception to this policy.1

During his rule, al-Hakim implemented measures that significantly impacted Christians and Jews within Fatimid territory:

• Destruction of Property: He ordered the destruction of Christian churches, most notably the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.1
• Ultimatum: He offered his non-Muslim subjects a stark choice between converting to Islam or facing expulsion from the territory.1

These actions marked a period of persecution that, while temporary, accelerated the rate of conversion to Islam among the population, at least on a superficial level. Despite this period of instability, the Fatimid administration historically relied on the expertise of non-Muslims, with many Copts and Jews serving in high-ranking government positions, including the vizierate, throughout the broader Fatimid period.1