The session explores the presence of certain tribes from southern Arabia—and particularly from Yemen—on the Iberian Peninsula through the case of Silves (Shilb) and the Algarve. It will examine the place of Gharb al-Andalus within early Islamic Iberia, the role of Arab elites linked to Yemen and tribal formations in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the emergence of Silves as one of the main urban centers of Islamic Portugal and al-Andalus. In this way, the session offers a historical bridge between Yemen and Iberia through the history of one of the most significant Andalusian cities on the peninsula.

Participants:
Sama’a Al-Hamdani, a political analyst and cultural professional specializing in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Yemen. She is the founder and director of Dar Samaa, a cultural association based in Portugal dedicated to promoting artistic exchange and intellectual dialogue between the Arab world and the Portuguese-speaking world; 

Raul Ramires, researcher and cultural promoter. He works on issues of politics, international relations, and historical identity, focusing on the connections between the Arab world and the Iberian Peninsula. He is the director of Casa do Alentejo, a historic cultural institution in Lisbon that represents this region.