Khalid ibn al-Walid

Abū Sulaymān Khālid ibn al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah al-Makhzūmī (Arabic: أبو سليمان خالد بن الوليد بن المغيرة المخزومي‎‎; 585 –642) also known as Sayf Allāh al-Maslūl (Arabic: سيف الله المسلول‎; Drawn Sword of God), was a companion of the prophet Muhammad. He is noted for his military tactics and prowess, commanding the forces of Medina under Muhammad and the forces of his immediate successors of the Rashidun Caliphate, Abu Bakr and Umar ibn Khattab. It was under his military leadership that Arabia, for the first time in history, was united under a single political entity, the Caliphate. Commanding the forces of the nascent Islamic State, Khalid was victorious in over a hundred battles, against the forces of the Byzantine-Roman Empire, Sassanid-Persian Empire, and their allies, in addition to other Arab tribes. His strategic achievements include the conquest of Arabia during the Ridda Wars, Persian Mesopotamia and Roman Syria within several years from 632 to 636. He is also remembered for his decisive victories at Yamamah, Ullais, and Firaz, and his tactical successes at Walaja and Yarmouk.

Khalid ibn al-Walid Stadium

Khalid ibn al-Walid Stadium (Arabic: ملعب خالد بن الوليد‎) is a multi-use stadium located in the Syrian city of Homs. It is the 3rd-largest football stadium in Syria and is mostly used for football matches. It serves as a home ground of Al-Karamah SC and Al-Wathba SC and holds around 32,000 spectators.

History

Through the efforts of Homs city council, the ground was opened in 1960 as a simple football field to be known as Homs Municipal Stadium. In 1967, a small tribune of 2,000 spectators was built to host a small number of supporters. In 1980, the capacity of the stadium was expanded to hold up to 12,000 fans, with the installation of new lighting towers. In 2004, the stadium was completely renovated and expanded to its current capacity of 32,000 spectators. In the same year, the venue was renamed after the sahabi Khalid ibn al-Walid who died and was buried in 642 in Emesa.

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References

Coordinates: 34°43′47.50″N 36°41′52.50″E / 34.7298611°N 36.6979167°E / 34.7298611; 36.6979167