Al-Mahdi Billah

Al-Mahdi Billah is a historical figure in Islamic tradition, regarded as the last Caliph of the Fatimid dynasty, which flourished in North Africa and the Mediterranean during the 10th and 11th centuries. He ruled from 946 to 953 CE. Known for his governance style and efforts to strengthen the Fatimid state, he supported trade, culture, and the arts. His reign is marked by attempts to solidify the Ismaili Shia identity of the Fatimid state, and his legacy includes the establishment of Cairo as a significant cultural capital. Al-Mahdi Billah is often referenced in discussions about Islamic leadership and identity.