When the Umayyad capital Damascus fell in the 8th century , the Islamic centre of the Mediterranean shifted from Syria to Qayrawan in North Africa .
In a short while , the local Berber elite had been integrated into Muslim Arab tribes .
When the Umayyad capital Damascus fell in the 8th century , the Muslim centre of the Mediterranean shifted from Syria to Qayrawan in North Africa .
In a short while , the local Berber elite had been integrated into Muslim Arab tribes .