The Last Queen of Yemen: Sayyida Hurra and the Sulayhid Dynasty

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the remarkable story of Sayyida Hurra, the last Sulayhid queen of Yemen, who ruled for over fifty years from her mountain fortress in Jibla. They discuss her rise to power after the death of her husband al-Mukarram Ahmad, her deft navigation of Fatimid politics, and her transformation of Jibla into a center of Ismaili learning and governance. The conversation also examines the role of women in medieval Yemeni politics, the Sulayhids' unique position as Fatimid allies, and the architectural legacy of Dar al-'Izz. Listeners will learn about the challenges she faced from the Zaidi imams, her patronage of trade and the arts, and her canonization in Ismaili tradition as a hujja. Specific details include her correspondence with the Fatimid caliph al-Mustansir, the construction of the al-Amiriyya mosque, and the succession crisis that followed her death.

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