Talking about pirates, of course, cannot be separated from the shadow of a large, majestic ship and a leader with a messy and ruthless appearance. But have you ever imagined the figure of a female pirate leader? Yup, she is Sayyida Al Hurra, a formidable and legendary pirate queen in Islamic history.
Sayyida Al Hurra is the leader of the first Muslim pirates who managed to control the western Mediterranean sea and the most feared leader in the 16th century. Sayyida was born into a prominent Muslim family in Andalusia around 1485. At the age of 7 she and her family moved from Andalusia to Morocco because the Islamic kingdom of Granada was conquered by Ferdinand and Isabella.
Reporting from HaiBunda, at the age of 16 Sayyida married a governor of the Tetouan region, Abu Hassan al-Mandari. She was very loyal to accompany her husband until in 1515 the husband died, then he took over the leadership of the husband. During her reign, she became an admirable female leader to the praise of the Queen of Spain.
When he was governor of Tetouan, more and more Andalusian Muslims fled to Morocco. For that reason Sayyida finally decided to fight Ferdinand and Isabella who controlled the Islamic kingdom of Granada. He became a pirate who fought with his people.
Sayyida made Tetouan his main naval base to fight the Spanish and Portuguese in order to reclaim his homeland. During his resistance he also allied with Barbarossa al Algeirs Chancellor of Turkey to control the seas of Europe and the Middle East. She then managed to control the western Mediterranean sea and became the most feared pirate queen in the 16th century.
Prove Gender Is Not a Barrier to Success
Unfortunately Sayyida's leadership had to fall in 1542 in the hands of her son-in-law, Moulay Ahmed Al Hassa Al Mandari, who staged a coup against her. The fall of Sayyida's leadership made him return to his hometown of Chefchaouen until he died in 1561.
Sayyida became the last Muslim woman to get the title of Al Hurra in Islamic civilization, which Al Hurra itself means the highest female leader in Islam.
That is the story of Sayyida Al Hurra, a formidable pirate queen. Sayyida Al Hurra's life story can be used as an example for women to be tough and brave.