Karmathians

So called from Abu Said Al-Jenabia, surnamed Al-Karmata, a Mohammedan sect which sprang up in the 9th century, and was originally a branch of the Is mail is. The sect was very powerful for a time. They conquered Arabia, Persia, and Syria, which they ruled with a despotic power, and their armies gained great victories of those of the caliphs. In 928 they threatened Bagdad, and in 930, under their leader, Abu Takir, entered Mecca, which was full of pilgrims, when a ma acre of the most fearful description ensued, desecrated the holy places, and carried away the supreme palladium, the black stone, which was only restored to Mecca at an immense ransom after twenty years. From that time their power declined, and after the 11th century they are not mentioned in history, although some traces of them still exist at Hasa, their former stronghold.