Arab-Andalusian Migration to the Island of Kritish (Crete) 212 AH / 827 AD-350 AH / 961 AD

Author

Associate Professor of Islamic History Faculty of Arts - Department of History Princess Nora bint AbdulRahman University

Abstract

Thanks to their maritime sovereignty over the Mediterranean in the 3rd century (Hijri)/9th century (Gregorian), the Arabs were able to control the largest islands of the Mediterranean Sea, such as Sicily, Cyprus and Crete (Iqritish). These islands served as an impenetrable barrier against Byzantine attacks on Muslim countries in the east of the Islamic Empire and Islamic Maghreb. They also served as general economic and trade bases that controlled the maritime trade routes and helped in attacks on Roman territories.
Muslims liberated the island of Iqritish after several attempts that ended with the settlement of Arab immigrants who let their homeland, Andalusia, in the wake of the famous revolution of Al Rabad, Cordoba in 202 AH / 817 AD and settled for about a century and a half. Crete was ruled by ten princes of the dynasty of the island's liberator, Abi Hafs Omar ibn Isa ibn Shu'ayb al-Balouti, known as the Kritish Andalusian. During that era, the island served as the key center for trade and economic dominance over maritime routes, and a military base to continue the jihad against the Byzantines who managed to recover the island after a long siege of the capital for nearly nine months. After being invaded, the suffering of Muslims began. They were expelled, forced into Christianity, stripped of their lands and property and deported in 350 AH/961 AD.  The Byzantines have eventually destroyed all Muslims' monuments and mosques, and then Kritish became Christian as if not once owned by Muslims.
 

Main Subjects