1 ene 647 año - Launching of Maghreb Conquest

Descripción:

The conquest on Maghreb started here by 'Amr Ibn al 'As (the conquerer of Egypt). Within the expansion, he was assisted by various men from many tribes to be his forces. The conquest involved many re-conquestion in which happened in several areas within Maghreb area for the next years ahead.

This event is such an important one as it embarked the sole beginning of Arabs advent to Maghreb. It could be seen during 647 C.E.. in which the raids had became more systematic and organized. Initially, Christianity of Byzantine empire ruled the land of Maghreb. A battle of Sbeitla (in today's present Tunisia) took place. It resulted in the defeat of Byzatine armies to the Arabbs led by 'Amr Ibn al'As. The fragile hold of Byzantine might be one of the causes to the defeat. Weirdly, the Arabs had never intended to real advent the Maghrib as their conquest initially was nothing more than a plain raid. That was why they were only removed or withdrew with their pillage. For the next 17 years, they even did not bother to disturb North Africa or Maghrib. In addition, the existence of thousands of churches and priests in North Africa could not be resisted during Byzantine's reign. However, the strength of Christian foundation was quite low.

The Church was weakened by heresy and ambition even though the amount of bishops appealed during that time was more or less 500 bishops. This situation succeeded Muslims in making the communities of people especially majority of Berbers turned to Islam. But, these newly-converted Berbers even introduced their own version of Islam and revolted. They opposes the Arabs in the name of Islam. The conversion did not happen in just an overnight as conversion was not automatic. The main faiths of Berbers before the conquest of Muslims were Jewish, Pagan and Christian. Its also very essential as it showed the acceptance of Berbers as the locals over the Maghreb conquest in terms of religion and culture as well as identity.

Source: Mervyn Hiskett, The Course of Islam (George Square, Edinburgh: Edinurgh University Press, 1994), 1-2.

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