Why did the Fatimids face resistance from Sunni Muslims in North Africa?

The Fatimid dynasty faced significant resistance from Sunni Muslims in North Africa primarily due to fundamental religious and political differences. As leaders of the Ismāʿīlī sect of Shīʿite Islam, the Fatimids sought to overthrow the existing Abbasid order and establish themselves as the sole legitimate caliphs of the Islamic world.12

This agenda clashed with the established Sunni population, particularly followers of the Mālikī school of law, who rejected Fatimid religious authority and their claims to the caliphate. Key drivers of this opposition included:23

• Religious Conflict: Differences in ritual and religious law created deep friction between the Ismāʿīlī rulers and the Sunni majority.23
• Economic Burden: The Fatimids imposed an exorbitant system of taxation to maintain the large military forces required to secure their rule and expand their empire, which fueled widespread resentment.2
• Political Rejection: Unlike previous regional dynasties that acknowledged the nominal suzerainty of the Abbasid caliphs, the Fatimids demanded total allegiance, leading to persistent rebellion and conflict with local leaders and scholars.12

These tensions frequently manifested in riots and support for rival movements, ultimately contributing to the instability of Fatimid control in the region.23