Kanem Empire formally adopts Islam
1169
Mai Dunama I of the Saifawa dynasty formalized Islam as the state religion of the Kanem Empire, establishing diplomatic ties with the Almohad Caliphate across the Sahara and sending young scholars to study Islamic jurisprudence in Cairo and Kairouan. The royal conversion cemented Kanem's position astride the lucrative trans-Saharan trade routes and drew North African merchants ever deeper into the kingdoms of the Sahel.
In context
Also in 1169 (3 other events on record)
- Saladin named vizier of Egypt · Middle East · Politics
- Strongbow invited to Ireland · Europe · War
- Tamil temple at Rameshwaram expanded · South Asia · Culture
Before and after in Africa
Before and after in Religion
Era
High Middle Ages (1000–1300), one of 1,306 events from that era on Saeculum.