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al-Walid 1
Arabic:
'al-walīdi bni cabdi l-malīk
(668-715) Caliph of Sunni Islam 705-715, as part of the Umayyad Dynasty.
al-Walid was a very religious man, he was told to continuously recite the Koran. al-Walid is remembered mainly for his mosques. He annexed the largest church in Damascus, and had it rebuilt into the Umayyad Mosque. He also repaired the Mosque of the Prophet in Madina.
Military campaigns conducting during his reign were very successful, leading to the conquest of large lands in Central Asia, North Africa and southern parts of Spain. al-Walid himself was never involved in the conduct nor planning of this, but he funded the campaigns and had decided for giving the generals free hands, which was the prerequisite for the success. He also arranged for the development of an effective navy.
Biography
668: Born as son of Abd al-Malik, probably in Madina. Abd al-Malik would later become caliph.
705 October: Abd al-Malik dies, and as he has arranged, al-Walid becomes new caliph.
715: Dies, and is succeeded by hos brother Sulayman.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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