Saladin: The conquest of Jerusalem on October 2, 1187

The anniversary of the conquest of Jerusalem on October 2, 1187, marks the historical moment when Saladin (Salah ad-Din Ayyubi) reclaimed the city from Crusader control, ending approximately 88 years of Crusader rule.

Born in Tikrit, Saladin rose through the military ranks under Nur ad-Din Mahmud Zengi. He played a pivotal role in Egyptian campaigns under his uncle, Asad al-Din Shirkuh, eventually becoming the vizier of the Fatimid Caliphate and later establishing independent rule. His strategic consolidation of power included controlling territories such as Damascus, Aleppo, and various regions in the Hejaz and Yemen.

The decisive Battle of Hattin paved the way for the liberation of Jerusalem. Historians note that Saladin’s success was not merely the result of individual leadership but a broader political and military project supported by figures like Nur ad-Din and Shirkuh, shaped by his extensive education and family heritage.