Yaqub ibn Killis

Yaqub ibn Killis (Arabic يعقوب بن كلس, DMG Ya ʿ ibn qūb Killis ) (* 930 in Baghdad, † 991 ) was an Egyptian vizier under the Fatimids ( 979-991 ).

Yaqub ibn Yusuf ibn Killis was born in 930 in Baghdad and was of Jewish descent. After moving his family to Syria, he came to Egypt and 943 entered the service of the Ichschididen regent Kafur. Soon he controlled as house managers, asset managers, the Egyptian state finances. 967 Although he converted to Islam, he fell under Kafurs successors of favor and was arrested. Yaqub ibn Killis but could freely buy and went to Ifriqiya, where he placed himself in the service of the Fatimid caliph Abu Tamim al - Muizz. With this he returned to Egypt 973.

First, he was appointed head of financial management. He succeeded to restructure through the leasing of tax revenue the government finances. After the overthrow of Jawhar as- Siqilli was appointed vizier Yaqub ibn Killis 979 of Al- Aziz. As such, he headed until 991 the management of the Fatimid Empire. He was a great patron of culture and science. Thus, the Al -Azhar University was founded in Cairo ( 988 ) under it.