The Art And Architecture of Islamic Cairo

altogether, Amr subsequently played an active role in the events
leading up to the foundation of the Umayyad caliphate. These
events, which changed the course of history, were the consequence
of a power struggle between Ali, the fourth caliph, and Mu’awiya,
the governor of Syria (and Othman’s nephew). Ali became caliph
after the murder of Othman, but his lack of resolve in prosecuting
Othman’s assassins prompted a rebellion. Mu’awiya refused to give
Ali his support and instead demanded retribution for his murdered
uncle. When the two protagonists eventually confronted each
other at the battle of Siffin, Amr sided with Mu’awiya. The battle
itself was inconclusive but Amr’s involvement in the ensuing arbitration
was decisive in weakening Ali and strengthening Mu’awiya’s
credibility as an alternative leader. When Ali in turn was assassinated
two years later, Mu’awiya was proclaimed caliph. The political
centre of Islam moved from Medina to Damascus, and Amr was
reinstated as governor of Egypt where he ruled from the new capital
of Fustat until his death at the age of ninety-one in 663. He was
buried at the foot of the Muqattam Hills, but unlike his son, Abd
Allah, whose tomb is greatly revered in Amr’s mosque, there is no
trace of his grave.
Egypt and the Arab Conquest 13