Hejaz (Saudi Arabia)
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Amr ibn al-As
Mecca, Hejaz (Saudi Arabia)
Archival Overview
Master Arab general and statesman who led the Muslim conquest of Egypt, captured Alexandria from the Byzantine Empire, and founded Fustat (Cairo).
Biographical Record
Amr ibn al-As (c. 573–664 AD) was one of the most politically asture and militarily daring commanders of the early Islamic conquests. Converting to Islam alongside Khalid ibn al-Walid in 629 AD, he commanded Arab forces in the conquest of the Levant, participating decisively in the battles of Ajnadayn and Yarmouk.
In 639 AD, with only 4,000 cavalrymen, Amr persuaded Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab to permit an expedition into Byzantine Egypt. He defeated the Byzantine imperial army at the Battle of Heliopolis in 640 AD, besieged and captured the colossal fortress of Babylon (in modern Cairo), and entered Alexandria in 641 AD after negotiating its surrender. He founded the new capital of Fustat and constructed the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, the first mosque ever built on the African continent.
Key Life Milestones
Decisive Defeat of Byzantine Egypt
Concealed a cavalry detachment to flank the Byzantine imperial army at Heliopolis, breaking Byzantine military strength in the Nile Delta.
Conquest of Egypt
Accepted the capitulation of Alexandria from Patriarch Cyrus and founded Fustat, laying the urban foundation of Cairo.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialCairo, Egypt