Zirid dynasty
At the end of the reign of the Zirid dynasty, between 1148 and 1156, the Normans of Sicily occupied the city, representing Sfax's first non-Islamic occupation since its foundation. This conflict ended with the execution of Sheikh Abu El Hassan El Feriani by the Normans, but on the other hand, Sfax got its independence with Omar Feriani, son of the Sheikh until the arrival of the Almohads from Morocco.