Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Located within the borders of present-day Syria on the banks of the Euphrates River, Raqqa has been a significant crossroads throughout history, hosting numerous civilizations due to its strategic geographical position connecting historical routes. Consequently, many states and sovereigns have passed through the city, each leaving their own distinct mark. Raqqa, a name encountered more frequently of late due to regional political and military developments, also stands as one of the most remarkable cities of medieval Islamic history. Following its capture by Muslims during the early conquests, it assumed a vital role in Islamic history, gaining progressive importance as it became a strategic hub for communication between al-Jazira and the Arabian Peninsula, as well as between the Levant (Bilad al-Sham) and Egypt. This study examines the development and role of Raqqa in Islamic history based on data provided by Muslim authors, illustrating the city's profile during the Islamic Middle Ages. Data obtained from sources providing region-specific accounts primarily the texts of Islamic geographers are analyzed within a chronological framework to document the city’s nomenclature, political history, and its portrayal in Islamic sources.
Author: Songül Dumlupınar Alican
Institution: Malatya Turgut Özal Üniversitesi
Language: Turkish
Topic: Islamic Studies and History
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204639655