Al-Walid I

Al-Walid I was a prominent Umayyad caliph who ruled from 705 to 715 CE. He is known for expanding the Islamic empire significantly, especially through military conquests in North Africa and into the Iberian Peninsula (modern Spain). Al-Walid I also oversaw a cultural and architectural flourishing, commissioning the construction of iconic buildings, including the Great Mosque of Damascus. His reign marked a period of prosperity and stability for the Umayyad Caliphate, contributing to the spread of Islam and Arabic culture across vast regions. His leadership is often remembered for both territorial expansion and cultural achievements.