Who were Umayyads? State two acts of Abd al-Malik, which promoted Arab and Islamic identities.

The Umayyads were a prosperous clan of the Quraysh tribe. Under their dynasty the consolidation of Islam was done after destruction of caliphate based in Medina.

Two acts of Abd al-Malik, which promoted Arab and Islamic identities were:

1. He made Arabic the language of administration. He also got Arabic inscription struck on the gold dinar and silver dirham.
2. He constructed a monument called the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. This monument is associated with the Night Journey of the Prophet to Heaven (miraj).