Fatimid Sicily: History, Memory, and Legacy

The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) extends an invitation to a two-day conference on the history, memory, and legacy of Fatimid rule in Sicily.For some 150 years (909-1050s), Sicily formed a part of the Fatimid empire. It was ruled through appointed governors and independent emirs from the Kalbid family, until the political turmoil of the mid-11th century, which paved the way for the Norman conquest. While the Normans ended Muslim rule in Sicily, they emulated the Fatimids' practices and symbols of authority. Yet the role of the Fatimids in the history of Muslim Sicily has remained obscure due to the scarcity of written sources and material remains from the period.
This interdisciplinary conference will feature scholars working in the field to address this gap in light of newly published sources and documents, recently uncovered materials pertaining to Fatimid rule and its legacy in Sicily.