Shajar al-Durr: From Slave to Sultana of Egypt

About this event

Adults. In the modern media we often hear remarks about the unprecedented nature of many things: political disputes, government actions, violence, social changes, and more. Yet how far are these really new? Join Langara faculty as we explore some fascinating events, personalities, and writings from the past, which also allow us to reflect on how far what we see in the world today is truly without precedent. Topic: Shajar al-Durr: From Slave to Sultana of Egypt Speaker: Dr. Niall Christie, Instructor of History In May 1250, a former slave woman named Shajar al-Durr (“spray of pearls”) was elevated to the position of sultana (ruler) of Egypt. Even before then she had already become an influential figure in the country, having married a previous sultan, helped him to run the state, and swiftly taken over its defence against crusaders when her husband died in 1249. Shajar al-Durr’s reign was brief, lasting less than three months, but she continued to be a pivotal figure in the sometimes literally cut-throat politics of Egypt until her death in 1257. Although not the first woman to rule a Muslim state during the middle ages, she was the first of slave origins to do so, and thus her rise was unprecedented. In this presentation we will explore the origins, rise, demise, and later memory of this remarkable woman. Presented in partnership with the Langara College. Accessibility Information VPL is committed to making our programs accessible for all. If you have an access need that we have not addressed here, please email us at [email protected]. The programming room is located in the basement of the branch and can be accessed by stairs or elevator. Noise level is expected to be low/moderate For more information on physical access, view the Accessibility information on the Kitsilano Branch page.