• Egypt was one of the most economically productive regions
• North African coastline was fertile and wealthy
• Converts to Islam in North Africa were over several hundred years
• Relatively easy conquest of Egypt occurred from 639 to 642
• Expansion beyond Egypt proved to be more difficult
  • Were defeated by Christian Nubians when moving into Nubia
  • Agreed to recognize legitimacy of Christian Nubia
  • Victory of Nubians delayed spread of Islam into upper Nile
• Even in early era of Islam, was no single Islamic orthodoxy
  • Faced difficult disputes over legitimacy of governments
  • North Africa played role as haven for those against Sunni orthodoxy
• Two of earliest sects, Shi’i and Kharijites, settled in Maghreb
• Kharijites found haven in small oases of northern Sahara
  • Found certain kinship with Berbers, leading to city states
• Very little Islam beyond coastal plains before eleventh century
  • Some elements spread among Berbers but was far from orthodox
• In 1035, unnamed Chief of Lamtuna Berbers undertook the Hajj
  • Brought Moroccan scholar to educate his people about proper practice
  • Created Almoravid state that fostered orthodox Islamic practice
  • Remained in power for over a century before displaced by Almohads
• Almohads were more influenced by teachings of scholar al-Ghazali
  • Al-Ghazali was important in helping to legitimize Sufism
• North and Saharan Africa embraced Islam in twelfth century