WALID, AL-

born 668? died 715, Damascus [now in Syria] also called Al-walid I, in full Abu Al-'abbas Al-walid Ibn 'abd Al-malik Ibn Marwan sixth caliph (reigned 705-715) of the Umayyad Arab dynasty, who is best known for the mosques constructed during his reign. Al-Walid, the eldest son of the caliph 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, was fervently orthodox in his religious views, and he had a great interest in architecture. As caliph, he confiscated the Christian Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Damascus and had the Great Mosque (Umayyad Mosque) erected on the site. He also had mosques built at Medina and Jerusalem. During al-Walid's reign, areas in Central Asia, in coastal northern Africa, and in Spain were conquered and brought under the influence of Islam. Although al-Walid did not actively direct this expansion, he did give support to capable subordinate officers and officials, allowing them great autonomy in the conduct of their affairs.