3. ٣
The Fatimid Policy in Sicily Island and South Italy
( A B S T R A C T )
The Islamic and the Byzantium Powers were confronted in
many different fields . The Island of Sicily was one of those
fields . It witnessed several rounds which ended with the
entrance of Sicily under the Islamic Rule . However , the
Byzantine Empire did not submit for the loss of Sicily and
continued resisting the Islamic Rule there . It sent its fleets and
used the policy of intrigues and unrest which , after more than
two centuries , resulted in the Muslim's loss of Sicily . Because
of its position at the Mediterranean , the Island of Sicily gained
a geographical , political , and commercial importance . Thus
its occupation meant the possession of the key to power and the
access to the activities of that important water-basin . This
paper tackles the Island of Sicily under the Islamic Rule , as
from its conquest and domination , that took a long time , until
the settlement there . It also deals with the rise of the Fatimid
State and the entrance of Sicily under their rule , and the policy
followed by the Fatimid State in ruling and administering the
Island of Sicily , particularly with the emergence of the Kalbi-
Family as an instrument for the Fatimid policy at the Island.
The paper also sheds light on the Islamic- Byzantium struggle
over the Island of Sicily , and the struggle that followed and
extended to the Italian Cities and Republics , until it reached
Rome , the heart of the Christian World.
Dr. Omar Yahya Muhammad
Assistant Professor
History Department
K.A.A. University