Abd As-Salam Al-Asmar

Sidi Abd As-Salam Al-Asmar ( _ar. عبد السلام الاسمر) was a renowned religious Libyan Muslim saint who lived and died during the 15th century (1455-1575 CE). The name al-Asmar is translated as meaning "black" or "brown skinned". ["The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic" Page 501 Edited by JM. Cowan, Spoken Languages Services Inc. Ithaca, NY]

Life

Sidi Abd As-Salam Al-Asmar was born in 1455 (ca. 859 AH) in the small city of Zliten, Libya, which is located roughly 100 miles east of Tripoli near Leptis Magna. He lived as a "zahid" (ascetic), alone in Libya’s vast desert performing various types of miracles for those in need. Later in life he became a "mujahid" (holy warrior), taking up arms in defense of his city. He died in 1575 at the age of 120 and his tomb became a place of pilgrimage, a large "masjid" was constructed in his remembrance at the location surrounding his grave. Not far from the "masjid" is one of the most respected and renowned Quranic educational institutions ("madrasah") in Libya, named Al-Jamiaa Al-Asmariya (Arabic: الجامعة الاسمري i.e. Al-Asmariya Islamic University). A small archaeological museum contains various frescoes from the villa of Dar Buc Ammera and a collection of ceramic Roman artifacts belonging to the various tombs found on the peripheries.

ee also

*Islam in Libya
*List of Libyans
*Zliten

Notes

External links

* [http://www.sandruins-tours.com/english/lalibyeeng.html#Zliten Zliten “Cities of the Saints”]
* [http://www.autrelibye.com/index.php?page=zliten Autre Libye]
* [http://www.medusatours.com/Home/Touren/12-Tage_Bildungsreise/12-tage_bildungsreise.html Medusa Tours]