Women in the Fatimid Era (358 - 567 AH / 969 - 1171 AD)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Tourist Guidance Dep., Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Minia University, Minia, Egypt

2 Tourist Guidence department , faculty of tourism and Hotels ,Mina university , Mina , Egypt

3 tourist guidance faculty of tourism and hotels

Abstract

The importance of this issue stems from the prominent role that women played in the society during the Fatimid era in Egypt (358 - 567 AH / 969 - 1171 AD).
Therefore, this research focuses on the conditions of women who lived in that period, whether they were honorable and lived in the Fatimid palace or of the Egyptian public, including the Muslims, non-Muslims and maids. It is remarkable that the societies of the Islamic Middle Ages consisted of these three categories that differ from one another, in terms of their lives, which makes them an independent sector in society.
There is no doubt that the conditions of Muslim women at that time were linked to the conditions of the Fatimid Caliphate in general, in terms of its Shiite doctrine and wealth. In addition, the political circumstances paved the way for some female figures to appear on the scene of events, as some women were so influential that that they managed the affairs of government brilliantly.
Therefore, it is important to study this topic from its various aspects - social, religious and political – to provide a comprehensive overview of women's life and their different conditions in this period.
The research examines the social conditions of women, the conditions of the Fatimid royal women, and sheds light on some of their prominent figures who played an important role in the palace.

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