Aksum in Muslim Historical Traditions

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Periodical article

Title:	Aksum in Muslim Historical Traditions
Author:	Ahmed, Hussein
Year:	1996
Periodical:	Journal of Ethiopian Studies
Volume:	29
Issue:	2
Period:	December
Pages:	47-66
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Ethiopia Northeast Africa
Subjects:	Islamic history Axum polity history traditional polities History and Exploration Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Religion and Witchcraft History, Archaeology Islam Aksum (Ethiopia)
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/44259282
Abstract:	Aksum is considered the cradle of Christianity in Ethiopia. In the national traditions of Ethiopian Muslims, it is also regarded as the first place where the seeds of Islam were sown in the country. The Aksumite king Ella Saham welcomed and protected the early followers of Islam and in the writings of classical Muslim Arab authors, the emigration ('hijra') of Prophet Muhammad's followers to Aksum in 615 is seen as a key event which marked the inauguration of a period of hope and optimism. The present author discusses a number of episodes in the early relations between the Aksumite State and nascent Islam, including the king's alleged conversion. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]