Al-Ayoubi, (also El-Ayoubi, Al-Ayyubi,
Arabic: آل الأَيّوبيّ), is the name of a prominent
LevantineKurdish family of royal and noble lineage, dating back to the
11th century. Having originated in the ancient
Armenian city
Dvin,
The dynasty lasted 79 years, and it is considered one of the most influential dynasties in the history of the region.[7]
It ruled modern day
Egypt,
Syria,
Upper Mesopotamia, the
Hejaz,
Yemen and the North African coast up to the borders of modern-day
Tunisia.
Saladin became the King and was nicknamed Al-Malik Al-Naser(The Victorious King).[8][9] He named members of the family as
Emirs (
Princes) over the various parts of his kingdom.
Modern history
In the modern era the family played a key role in politics, economy, and many other domains, as its members served in key roles in modern-day
Syria,
Lebanon,
Saudi Arabia,
Jordan, and
Iraq.
Muhammad Ali Al-Ayoubi, a damascene socialite and merchant. It was noted that in his residence many important political meetings were held and weekly discussions including many government personalities took place.
Dr. Muhammad Zuhair bin Abd-Alwahab bin Muhammad bin Saleh
Agha Al-Ayoubi,[13] born in 1939. He was religiously schooled by Grand mufti
Ahmed Kuftaro in parallel with his traditional and academic education, he then became a member of the national union of the new born
United Arab Republic. In 1964 he left
Syria to
Saudi Arabia where he was a co-founder of the
Riyadh Radio and TV Stations and served as its director.
For his services King
Faisal of Saudi Arabia granted him and his family Saudi citizenship. He went on and founded many schools and public organisations and supervised them till he died in 2013.[21][22][23]
khatun
Sitt al-Sham. Sister of
Saladin, who founded many schools and hospitals
Damascus besides her major interest in literature and culture and honoring writers,
ibn khallikan described her deeds and said "She gave us lessons in mercy", she died in 1220 and was buried in
Al-Sahiba Madrasa in
Damascus.[26]