Sicily and encouraged the growth of smallholdings, undermining the dominance of the latifundia. The Arabs further improved irrigation systems. The language spoken in Sicily under Arab rule was Siculo-Arabic and Arabic influence is still present in some Sicilian words today. Although the language is extinct in Sicily, it has developed into what is now the Maltese language on the islands of Malta today. A description of Palermo was given by Ibn Hawqal, an Arab merchant who visited Sicily in 950. A walled suburb, called the Al-Kasr (the palace), is the centre of Palermo to this day, with the great Friday mosque
Felicia of Sicily Felicia of Sicily Felicia of Sicily (c. 1078 – c. 1102) is a name that is used for one Queen consort of Hungary. She was the eldest daughter of Count Roger I of Sicily and his second wife, Eremburga of Mortain. She is also called Busilla, but this name is a misunderstanding of the ancient Italian word ""pucelle"" meaning "virgin". Coloman, King of Hungary sent his envoys to her father's court to propose marriage to her in 1096, but the Count of Sicily did not qualify the envoys illustrious enough and refused the offer. The second mission of the King