Shared human heritage

The Fatimid Caliphate also known as the Fatimid Empire, was a caliphate extant from the tenth to the twelfth centuries CE under the rule of the Fatimids, an Isma'ili Shi'a dynasty. The Fatimids traced their ancestry to the Islamic prophet Muhammad's daughter Fatima and her husband Ali, the first Shi'a imam. 

Originating during the Abbasid Caliphate, the Fatimids initially conquered Ifriqiya (roughly present-day Tunisia and north-eastern Algeria). They extended their rule across the Mediterranean coast and ultimately made Egypt the centre of the caliphate. At its height, the caliphate included—in addition to Egypt—varying areas of the Maghreb, Sicily, the Levant, and the Hejaz.

In this podcast Dr Shainool Jiwa (The Institute of Islmaili Studies), provides an introduction to Ismailism and examines how Fatimid mission in North Africa laid the foundation for the emergence of their dynasty.

During the Fatimid Caliphate, Egypt would once again become the centre of a vibrant, rich and culturally diverse empire. Dr Jiwa looks at Fatimid rivalry with the Umayyads of Cordoba, the Abbasids and the Byzantines, she reflects upon the value placed on learning and ideas within Islam, and how Cairo would take its place, along with Baghdad and Cordoba, translating, developing and transmitting knowledge across continents.

This podcast gives an idea of the deep interconnectedness of the Mediterranean and Asian world during the medieval period and how it is an example of our shared heritage. Dr Jiwa suggests that this fascinating history might remind us to dwell more on what connects us than what divides us.

(Dr Shainool Jiwa is the author of: 'The Fatimids - 1. The Rise of a Muslim Empire' and 'The Fatimids 2. The Rule from Egypt')

1. Who are the Isma'ilis?
2. What other Shia states had existed before the Fatimid rise to power?
3. What were the origins of the Fatimid Dynasty?
4. The Fatimids proselytising mission in North Africa. The fall of the Aghlabid dynasty.
5. The Fatimids take Egypt.
6. Becoming an economic and military power in the Mediterranean.
7. How Fatimid da’wah and diplomacy laid the foundations for the takeover in Egypt.
8. What were relations like with the Umayyads of Cordoba, the Byzantines and the Abbasids?
9. Fatimid ascendancy.
10. Fatimid Egypt: the centre of an empire and the centre of global trade and culture.
11. The Islamic Caliphates as conduits and centres of knowledge and ideas.
12. Religious diversity and toleration.
13. Establishing Cairo and the House of Knowledge.
14. Sitt al-Mulk, Ibn al-Haytham and Ibn Yunus.
15. Current research.
16. What was the legacy of the Fatimid Caliphate?
17. Reflecting our shared human heritage.

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