Gökböri
Gökböri (also rendered Gokbori, Kukburi and Kukuburi), or Muzaffar ad-Din Gökböri (Arabic: مظفر الدين كوكبوري, full praise names: al-Malik al-Muazzam (the Exalted Prince) Muzaffar ad-Din (the Triumphant in the Faith)), was a leading emir and general of Sultan Saladin (Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūb), and ruler of Erbil. He served both the Zengid and Ayyubid rulers of Syria and Egypt. He played a pivotal role in Saladin's conquest of Northern Syria and the Jazira (Upper Mesopotamia) and later held major commands in a number of battles against the Crusader states and the forces of the Third Crusade. He was known as Manafaradin, a corruption of his principal praise name, to the Franks of the Crusader states.
Muzaffar ad-Din Gökböri | |
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Muzaffar al-Din Gökböri. AH 563-630 (AD 1167-1233). Arbil mint. Dated AH 587 (AD 1191-2). Bareheaded and draped bust left; name and titles of Muzaffar al-Din Gökböri in outer margin. | |
Born | 13 April 1154 Mosul, Zengid Atabegate |
Died | 28 June 1233 (aged 78) Balad, Abbasid Caliphate |
Buried | |
Allegiance | Zengids Ayyubids Abbasids |
Rank | Emir |
Commands held | General commanding armies and divisions of armies. Governor of various cities and regions. Lord of Erbil |
Battles/wars |
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Gökböri was the first Muslim ruler to publicly celebrate the birth of Islamic prophet Muhammad in an impressive ceremony during which al-Mawlid al-Nabawi (Mawlid or Mavlid, poetry celebrating the Prophet's Birthday) was recited.