MANSUR The Third Fatimid Caliph (334-341 A.H.) Mansur was born at Qayrawan in 302 A.H. His entire upbringing was in an atmosphere of war in North Africa. He acceded to the Fatimid throne at Mahdiya in 334 A.H at the age of 32, while the revolt of Abu Yazid was in progress. We have seen that Qaim had successfully defended Mahdiya against Abu Yazid, now Mansur completed the success by breaking the latter’s siege of the capital. Abu Yazid withdrew to the port of Susa. Mansur sent his able General, Jawhar to Susa and it was finally subdued. Abu Yazid then escaped to Tangiers. There he was met by another General of Mansur, Ziri bin Manad, the leader of the Sanhaja Berber tribe. With Ziri’s help Abu Yazid was finally defeated in 341 A.H. when they were all subdued. Another revolt broke out at Tahert on behalf of the Umayyads of Spain. Again with Ziri’s help it was crushed.
Sicily In this Mediterranean island some Muslim Arab tribes had established themselves with the help of Mahdi, the first Fatimid Caliph. Now Mansur sent, in 337 A.H. Amir Hassan bin Ali of the famous influential tribe of Banu Kalb. The Muslim rule of Amir Hassan bin Ali and his dynasty on behalf of the Fatimids is known for its arts and architecture and a glorious and prosperous period of Muslim civilization in that European island. During his lifetime Mansur had built a town known after him as al-Mansuria which served as his capital for sometime. After a rule of seven years, at the age of 39, Mansur died in 341 A.H. and was buried at Mahdiya.
