Al-Jazeera in the Umayyad period

The Jazira region, bordered by two natural rivers, the Euphrates and Tigris, encompasses parts of Anatolia, Iraq, and Syria, forming a distinct border region and crossroads. Existing since ancient times, these lands have been ruled by many different states and have always retained their strategic importance. Thanks to its geographical location, natural passages, and proximity to the border, the Jazira lands were discovered early by the Islamic state and came under Muslim control as a result of the conquests of the Islamic armies. Its strategic importance, fertile lands, and buffer zone role ensured its continued importance in later periods. The region became a military and administrative center, particularly during the Umayyad period. The administrative approach institutionalized by the Umayyad state reinforced central authority. The governorship system was shaped accordingly. In important and sensitive regions like Jazira, this approach became more visible; governors were generally chosen from among those with high military and political experience. Some governors strictly enforced the central authority, while others preferred to establish relations with regional powers. This emerging different administrative approach directly impacted the administrative stability of the region. During the political instability experienced in the final years of the Umayyad state, Marwan ibn Muhammad moved the center of the state from Damascus to Harran. Thus, the Jazira region transitioned from a provincial to a centralized state. This study aims to examine the transition of the Jazira region to Islamic rule and the administrative structure during the Umayyad period. In this context, it examines the process of the region's transformation from a provincial status to one that fostered closer ties with the central government, the appointed governors, and the administrative policies implemented. The study was conducted through an analysis of classical sources and modern research. Consequently, this study contributes to the study of provincial-central relations by analyzing the administrative transformation of the Jazira region during the Umayyad period based on the policies of the caliphs and the practices of the governorship. Keywords: Islamic History, Umar, Umayyads, al-Jazira, Marwan ibn Muhammad