Glories of Islamic Art, The: Part 2 Two Islamic Regimes in Cairo

(45 mins) Cairo displays the glories of two of the great Islamic regimes - the Shi'ite Fatimids who swept in from the North African desert, and the Mamluks, slave soldiers who overthrew their masters to set up their own Sunni dynasty. Both have left behind impressive evidence of their strength. The program introduces a colorful cast of characters. The rebel governor Ibn Tulun spent all his tax takings on building one of the earliest and finest mosques, named after him, instead of passing the money on to his masters in Baghdad; the caliph Hakim won widespread Shi'ite admiration despite his cruel and despotic rule.