Sultan Saladin Ayubi: A Kurdish Muslim Warrior
Sultan Saladin Ayubi: A Kurdish Muslim Warrior Sultan Saladin Ayubi (1137-1193) was a Kurdish Muslim warrior and statesman who founded the Ayyubid dynasty and united much of the Middle East under his rule. He is best known for his military victories over the Crusaders, including his decisive victory at the Battle of Hattin in 1187, which led to the recapture of Jerusalem. Saladin was born in Tikrit, Iraq, to a Kurdish family. His father, Najm ad-Din Ayyub, and uncle, Asad ad-Din Shirkuh, were military leaders under the Zengid dynasty, which ruled over much of northern Syria and Mesopotamia. Saladin joined the Zengid army in his youth and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1164, Saladin and his uncle were sent to Egypt by the Zengid ruler Nur ad-Din to aid the Fatimid Caliphate against a Crusader invasion. Saladin quickly became the de facto ruler of Egypt, and in 1171 he overthrew the Fatimid dynasty and established himself as sultan. After consolidating his power ...