Ok children, what can you tell me about Khalifah Ibrahim II? This query sounded in a classroom full of attentive children at Ismael al-Mu'tamid Junior High School. Silence prevailed. Did anyone read the chapter you were assigned? More silence. The ever learned Salim abu Omar was not to be be deterred, however. Why don't you read for us, Abdur

Haltingly, the child began reciting the chapter. Khalifah Ibrahim II came to power during a time of great turmoil. The recent defeat at Lesser Armenia had left its stamp on the morale of the army and corruption was rampant among the ranks of his amirs. Salim abu Omar interrupted the child at this point.

Children, I can save you the trouble. Ibrahim was not a terribly interesting monarch and neither was he a good one. He reigned but 3 years, lost Moldavia and Carpathia to the Golden Horde in a series of horribly botched battles, and proved that he himself was no great general. Although he lifted the siege at Lesser Armenia, he subsequently developed an obsession with a Jihad that had been launched to take Anatolia. Despite twice meeting the enemy with superior numbers, he lost both encounters and died on the field the second time. The only thing that is to his credit is that he slew the enemy general in single combat. In times of peace, he would have made a good leader. He did initiate an extensive building program during his reign. In the times of war he ascended the throne in, however, he was a dismal failure. abu Omar said the last with a note of disappointment.

Abdur, would you please begin to read the chapter on Ibrahim's successor. It promises to be much more interesting.