Editing Gabès (section)

=== Islamic Caliphate and the Middle Ages ===
In the 7th century, the [[Umayyad Caliphate]] conquered the region, bringing [[Islam]] to Gabès. One of Prophet [[Companions of the Prophet|Muhammad's companions]], [[Abu Lubaba ibn Abd al-Mundhir|Abu Lubaba Al'Ansari]], settled in the city, contributing to its development as an Islamic center. The following centuries saw a succession of different rulers and dynasties. In 1148, the [[Zirid dynasty|Zirids]] sacked Gabès, causing devastation to the city. During the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] period, in 1574, Gabès became part of the [[Ottoman Tunisia|Eyalet of Tunis]], further cementing its role as a strategic trading hub in the Mediterranean region.

Gabès has been described by notable historians and travelers throughout history. In the 12th century, [[Muhammad al-Idrisi|al-Idrisi]] praised its thriving economy, dense orchards, and bustling markets. He highlighted the city's production of dates, olives, and leather goods, as well as its strong fortifications.<ref>[https://ar.wikisource.org/wiki/نزهة_المشتاق_في_اختراق_الآفاق/الإقليم_الثالث/الجزء_الثاني نزهة المشتاق في اختراق الآفاق - الإقليم الثالث، الجزء الثاني] [[Muhammad al-Idrisi]]</ref> In the 14th century, al-Tijani depicted Gabès as a city of beauty and abundance, calling it the "paradise of the world" and "Little [[Damascus]]" due to its lush greenery and architectural charm. However, he also noted the city's health challenges, attributing frequent epidemics to the [[Nerium|oleander]] trees that affected the water supply.<ref>رحلة التجاني، ص 86-89، أبو محمد عبد الله بن محمد بن أحمد التجاني، الدار العربية للكتاب: ليبيا-تونس 1981</ref> In 1862, [[Victor Guérin]] described Gabès not as a singular city but as a collection of towns and villages forming a vast oasis, supported by the waters of the [[Wadi]] of Gabès.<ref>Victor Guérin, Voyage archéologique dans la régence de Tunis, éd. Plon, Paris, 1862, p. 190.</ref>