Abd al-Rahman I: Founder of the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba (756–788)
Abd al-Rahman I, the founder of the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba, established Umayyad rule in Al-Andalus after escaping the Abbasid massacre in 750 CE. His reign marked the beginning of a flourishing era in Islamic Spain, with cultural, architectural, and political advancements, including the construction of the Great Mosque of Córdoba and the consolidation of power in the Iberian Peninsula. His legacy continues to influence the history of Islamic civilization in the West.