Abu Hafs Umar al-Murtada

Abū Ḥafṣ ‘Umar al-Murtaḍā (Arabic: أبو حفص عمر المرتضى بن أبي إبراهيم اسحاق بن يوسف بن عبد المؤمن; died 1266) was an Almohad caliph who reigned over part of present-day Morocco from 1248 until his death.

A letter from Abu Hafs Umar al-Murtada to Pope Innocent IV.

Abū Ḥafṣ ‘Umar al-Murtaḍā
Caliph of the Almohad Caliphate
Castillian ambassadors meeting al-Murtaḍā, from the Cantigas de Santa Maria.[1]
Ruler of the Almohad Caliphate
Reign	1248–1266
Predecessor	Abu al-Hasan as-Said al-Mutadid
Successor	Idris al-Wathiq
Born	unknown date
Died	1266
Names Abu Hafs Umar al-Murtada ibn Ishaq
Dynasty	Almohad
Father	Abu Ibrahim Ishaq ibn Yusuf
Religion	Islam

Life

During his time as caliph, the area of Morocco under Almohad control was reduced to the region around and including Marrakesh. He was forced to pay tribute to the Marinids. He was ousted by his cousin Abu al-Ula al-Wathiq Idris with the help of Marinid ruler Abu Yusuf Yaqub ibn Abd Al-Haqq, with Idris II then proclaiming himself as caliph.

He was interested in Maghrebi script and established the first public manuscript transcription center at the madrasa of his mosque in Marrakesh.^[2][3]