Aghlabid Dynasty in the context of Aghlabid architecture

⭐ Core Definition: Aghlabid Dynasty

The Aghlabid dynasty (Arabic: الأغالبة) was an Arab dynasty that ruled Ifriqiya from 800 to 909, nominally as vassals of the Abbasid Caliphate. During this time, they also conquered Sicily, Malta, parts of southern Italy, and possibly Sardinia. The dynasty originated from the tribe of Banu Tamim and was founded by Ibrahim ibn al-Aghlab, who was appointed by the Abbasid caliph in 800 to rule this province.

The Aghlabids adhered to the Mu'tazilite rationalist doctrine within Hanafi Sunni Islam, which they imposed as the state doctrine of Ifriqiya. They sponsored the construction of mosques and civic infrastructure, major examples of which have survived to the present day as some of the oldest Islamic-era monuments in the region. Their rule ended when they were conquered by the new power of the Fatimids in 909.

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Aghlabid Dynasty in the context of Islam in Italy

Islam is a minority religion in Italy. Muslim presence in Italy dates back to the 9th century, when Sicily came under control of the Aghlabid Dynasty. There was a large Muslim presence in Italy from 827 (the first occupation of Mazara) until the 12th century. The Norman conquest of Sicily led to a gradual decline of Islam, due to the conversions and emigration of Muslims toward Northern Africa. A small Muslim community however survived at least until 1300 (the Muslim settlement of Lucera). By the 1900s, with the Italian colonisation of Libya, Somalia, Eritrea and Albania, a new wave of Muslim migrants, mainly from these countries, entered Italy and remained the most dominant Muslim groups until the end of the 20th century, and often Islamic prayers were conducted in either Arabic, Oromo, Somali or Albanian.

In more recent years, there has been migration from Pakistan, the Balkans (mainly Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina), Bangladesh, India, Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia.

View the full Wikipedia page for Islam in Italy

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