The Fatimid Caliphate or al-Fātimiyyūn (Arabic الفاطميون) is an Arab Shia Dynasty that rules most of North Africa, and at certain times, sections of the Middle East and Southern Europe. It was formed in 909 AD, from territory the Abbasid Caliphate had receded from. The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the Egyptian city of Cairo as their capital. The term Fatimite is sometimes used to refer to the citizens of this caliphate, although Christian Europe continues to refer to them as "Saracens" (a term normally applied to the Abbasids as well). The ruling elite of the state belonged to the Ismaili branch of Shiism. The leaders of the dynasty were also Shia Ismaili Imams, hence, they had a religious significance to Ismaili Muslims. They are also part of the chain of holders o