page_title: Olivia of Palermo
section_title: Saint Olivia and Islam in Tunisia
hierarchical_section_title: Olivia of Palermo / Veneration / Saint Olivia and Islam in Tunisia
caption_attribution_description: This is a photo of the protected monument identified by the ID 11-90 in Tunisia. Français&#160;: Le minaret melikite de la mosquée Zitouna à Tunis
context_page_description: Saint Olivia of Palermo, Palermo, 448 – Tunis, 10 June 463, is a Christian virgin-martyr who was venerated as a local patron saint of Palermo, Sicily in the Middle Ages, as well as in the Sicilian towns of Monte San Giuliano, Termini Imerese, Alcamo, Pettineo and Cefalù.
  Her feast day is on June 10, and she is represented as a young woman with olive branches surrounding her, holding a cross in her right hand.
context_section_description: The Great Mosque of Al-Zaytuna ("Mosque of Olive") is the oldest in the Capital of Tunisia and covers an area of 5,000 square metres (1.2 acres) with nine entrances. Its exact building date varies according to the sources. Ibn Khaldun and Al-Bakri wrote that it was built in 116 Hijri (731 AD) by Obeid-Allah Ibn Al-Habhab. However, Ahmed in Abu Diyaf and Ibn Abi Dinar attributed its foundation to Hasan ibn al-Nu'man, who led the conquest of Tunis and Carthage. Most scholars agree that the closest date is 84 Hijri (703 AD), and what Al-Habhab did was in fact enlarge the mosque and improve its architecture.
  One legend states that it was called "Mosque of Olive" because it was built on an ancient place of worship where there was an olive. However the most accepted explanation is that transmitted by the 17th century Tunisian historian Ibn Abi Dinar, who spoke about the presence of the tomb of Santa Olivia at that location. Recent research has shown that indeed this mosque was built on a Christian basilica. With the advent of Islam, the church was converted into a mosque, retaining the dedication, but translating the name into Arabic.
  The saint is particularly venerated in Tunisia because it is superstitiously thought that if the site and its memory are profaned then a misfortune will happen; this includes a belief that when her relics are recovered Islam will end. This ancillary legend related to the discovery of the saint's relics is widespread in Sicily, however it is connected to other Saints as well.
  In 1402 king Martin I of Sicily requested the return of Saint Olivia's relics from the Berber Caliph of Ifriqiya Abu Faris Abd al-Aziz II, who refused him. Even today the Tunisians, who still venerate her, believe that the dominion of their religion will fade when the body of the Virgin Olivia will disappear.
caption: Al-Zaytuna Mosque (Mosque of Olive), in Tunis, Tunisia. Interior Courtyard and main minaret.
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