Christians in Arab Malta (6) : the unedited accounts of Abu al-Fida

Abstract

The fact that Al Athir’s version about Al Samsam and Ibn al Thamna is repeated by at least two other medieval Arab chroniclers contradicts the impression European scholars sought to share in this story: European historians described it as somehow far-fetched, and the presence of such a strong community of Christians is also exaggerated. Abu Al Fida and Al Dhahabi give us a different opinion and their historical judgment goes beyond the debate on whether the place from where the Christians came was Malta or not. Unfortunately, neither Abu Al Fida nor Al Dhahabi are ever mentioned in reference to the history of Malta and their account is not even used when studying Arab rule in 11th century Sicily. This first of a two-part series looks at the writings of Abu Al Fida.