Sicily: Hidden Islamic History Side.

 

Source: Mapandmaps.com.

Today, we will discuss about one hidden Islamic History Side that located at South Italy. Island Of Sicily, at old time, ever became one Islamic Goverment and knowledge center. Ok, please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more information about Islamic History and Civilization. It is easy verb for you, but have big role for help us flow our blog that educated people about Islamic History and Civilization.

At 652 AD, Sicily  at Italy that became Byzantine Empire Territories was attacked by Rashidun Navy that lead by Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan at Rashidun-Byzantine conflict. But, at this time, Island Of Sicily not yet conquest by Islamic Navy. 

Until 827 AD, broke rebellion from Sicilian Peoples to Byzantine Empire. Leader from Aghlabid Dynasty at North Africa , Ziyadat Allah I ( ruled 817-838 AD) send 70 warships and 10.000 warriors with 700 horses under Commander Asad Ibn Furat. Aghlabid Army can moved to Syracuse, Sicilia. At this time, happened plague at Aghlabid Army that make many Aghlabid Army die at this battle, included their commander, Asad.

They get new army from Spain, until Aghlabid Army can occupied City Of Palermo at 831 AD. At 845 AD, they can occupied City Of Messina. At 878 AD, Aghlabid Army can occupied Fortress Of Syracuse. 

At 902 AD, Aghlabid Caliph, Ibrahim II , moved to Calabria, Italy and started military expedition to Terrain Of Italy. Aghlabid Generals moved to South Italy and they used conflict beetwen Kingdom Of Lombard, Kingdom Of Naples, and Byzantine Empire at South Italy. At 837 AD, Aghlabid Army can occupied Vesurius and Bari.  Aghlabid Army can achieved Gate Of Venice, Italy. 

And, at 846 AD, Byzantine Empire fear because Aghlabid Navy can docked at Ostia, Italy. According Philip.K.Hiti, Aghlabid Army destroy Catedral Of Sant Paul and also Pontiff Tombs. 

Pope John VIII ( ruled 872-882 AD) pay tax to Aghlabid Dynasty. At 869 AD,  Aghlabid Army conquer Maeta and they next their expansion to Central Europe. They can captured several fortress at Alpen Mountain and achieve Swiss. 

At 871 AD, Christian Army can re captured City Of Bari from  hand of Aghlabid Dynasty and Aghlabid Commanders at Bari separated their selfs from goverment center at Palermo. At 880 AD, Byzantine Emperor, Basil I re captured Taranto, Italy from Aghlabid Army and drive out last Aghlabid Army from Calabria. 

At 948 AD, Aghlabid s reign at Sicily finished and replaced with Kalbid Dynasty under their first leader, Al-Hasan Ibn Ali Ibn Hussain Al-Kalbi who appointed as Leader Of Sicily by Al-Manshur, Fathimid Caliph at North Africa.  At 989-998 AD, under Abu Al-Futuh Yusuf Ibn Abdullah, according Philip.K.Hitti, Islamic Civilization at Sicily achieve golden age.

Kalbid Leaders,  build many luxury castle for their settlements. Ibn Hawqal ( 943-977 AD), one Geographer and Traveler, visited Palermo, Kalbid Capital.  According Ibn Hawqal at is notes, such as citted by Hitti, at Palermo, exist 300 mosques and also 300 teachers from public schools, who considered as best peoples at this place.

At 1060 AD, Sicily fall to hand of Normandians because happened civil war at Aghlabid Dynasty.  Beetwe 1060-1090 AD, King Of Normand, Roger I  attack Sicily and conquer Sicily s cities. Roger, make Sicily as his goverment basic. 

According Researcher Kiki Muhammad Hakiki, Roger I can entered Sicily because civil war and Sicily s condition that chaos because Byzantine attack.  One Sicilian Leader, Ibn As-Suma ask helped to Normandy Army and Normandy Army under Roger I  and Robert Guiscard can occupied Sicily.

Since this event, Islamic Goverment at Sicily ended. But, Islamic Culture influenced Normandians  at Sicily.  One Roger I s successor, Roger II love Muslim Cloth and he has palace that builded by one Muslim Scientist, Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Al-Idrisi ( die 1160 AD).  According Researcher  Kiki Muhammad Hakiki, Roger II also used Islamic Title Al-Mutaz Billah.

Refrences:

Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Hakiki, K. M. (2011). POLITIK ISLAM DI SICILIA. Jurnal Tapis: Jurnal Teropong Aspirasi Politik Islam, 7(1), 15-30.