|
The Arab raids were the result of the Arabs’ acceptance of the new religion of Islam and the expansion of the Arab state. According to some sources, it is claimed that the first Arab raids started during Abu Bakr’s caliphate around A.D 632-634. However, it is widely accepted that the first Arab raids were initiated around A.D 647 or A.D 649, which marks the 24th anniversary of Hijra (Muhammad’s migration to Medina). The initial raids, which took place during the reign of Uthman, were led by the Governor of Damascus Muawiya and those raids were repeated around 24 times until A.D 969.
The raiders caused considerable disruption in the lives of the Cypriots as well as great destruction and losses. Successive Emperors of Byzantium had tried to defend the island but it proved impossible to thwart the raids completely.
To protect the island from further raids, the Byzantines constructed the mountain castles of St. Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara and strengthened the fortifications of Nicosia and Kyrenia.
The people of Cyprus feeling insecure, moved away from many coastal towns, which were raided and destroyed by the Arab raiders.
The Arabs never made any organized attempt to become rulers of Cyprus; they were satisfied with the loot and prisoners their raids yielded. In addition to their gains, they also forced the Cypriots to pay annual tributes. The raids and the threats from the Arabs were brought to an end by General Nikitas, and the Byzantine emperor Nicephoros Phokas.
A monument from these raids is the well-known Tekke of Umm-Haram, which dates back to A.D 647-649.
|
|
The Arab Raids |
|
q Muhammad |
|
q The Arab Raids |
