Franciscans and Islam

Francis of Assisi traveled to Egypt in 1219, during the fifth crusade, and preached to al-Malik al-Kāmil in hopes of converting him to Christianity, or, failing that, to obtain the martyr’s palm. This article places this encounter in the context of relations between the Ayyubid Sultans and the Christian population of Egypt. Medieval Egypt was a prosperous, multireligious and multicultural society. It was also embroiled in the politics and wars of the region, including the crusades. After examining these various contexts, we will see how the earliest sources portrayed the encounter between Francis and the Sultan, often putting the accent on his desire for martyrdom. In a final section, we will see how Francis’ mission to the Sultan influenced later Franciscan practice, from the seekers of martyrdom in the 13th-century Maghreb to Franciscans and neo-Sufis of the 21st century.