“The Fatimids had little impact on the Muslim world.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the Fatimids had little impact on the Muslim world. Causes and results may predate or extend beyond the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to the hostility of many Muslims to the Ismaili interpretation of Islam. Failure to establish a claim to the caliphate showed weakness. The Fatimid regime was overthrown by the Sunni majority in 1171. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example, their enormous economic influence and extension of trade routes, and the expansion of Muslim presence in the Indian Ocean, Asia and Africa. Their creation of institutions of scholarship and higher learning increased Muslim intellectual development. Cultural initiatives in architecture and ceramics also had considerable influence. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.