Arwa al-Sulayhi, Last Queen of the Sulayhids (Yemen) (ep. 12.7)
Yes! There have been Muslim queens who ruled their own countries! One of them was Arwa al-Sulayhi who ruled Yemen for 60 years in the 11th and 12th century. She outlasted her husband, her other husband, her son, and her other son, continuing to rule on her own authority through it all. Though the memory of her has faded, her mosque is still there, and so is her palace.
Visit the website (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.
This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my Patreon…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.