Dynasty·Abbasid
Fatimid Caliphate Established
- Date
- 909 CE297 AH1,117 years ago
- Place
- Ifriqiya (Raqqada, modern Tunisia)
- People
- Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi
The Fatimid caliphate was founded in 909 CE by Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi, who claimed descent from Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad. He established his rule in Ifriqiya, in present-day Tunisia, after years of work by Ismaili missionaries. The Fatimids later conquered Egypt in 969 and founded Cairo. Their rule lasted until 1171.
Why it matters
The Fatimids rivaled the Abbasids and the Umayyads of Spain for leadership of the Islamic world, and they later ruled Egypt.