Context ⬇️
The Barbary pirates operated from the ports of North Africa. Their activities grew when they came under the protection of Ottomans in 16th Century.
They terrorised Europeans for over 300 years. It is estimated that more than 1.2 million Europeans were enslaved by them.
They raided as far as Ireland and Iceland.

The most astonishing aspect was their multi ethnic composition, most of whom had converted to Islam.

-Barbarossa brothers: Greco-Albanian

-Dutch: Jan Janszoon, (later Murat Reis), Ivan de Veenboer(later Suleiman Reis)
- Jewish: Sinan Reis, Samuel Pallache

English: Jack Ward (laterYusuf Reis)

Sicilian: Giovani Dionigi Galeni (later Uluç Ali)

Some even went on to serve as heads of Ottoman Navy, including Hayreddin Barbarossa, Uluç Ali

⬇️Mosque commissioned by Uluç Ali in Istanbul
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