Domingo Francisco Jorge Badía y Leblich adopted the pseudonym Ali Bey al-Abbasi to travel through North Africa and the Middle East as a secret agent. By masquerading as a descendant of the Abbasid caliphs and a devout Muslim, he successfully infiltrated locations strictly forbidden to non-Muslims, including the holy city of Mecca during the Saudi conquest of 1807.
Early Education and Linguistic Preparation
Born in Barcelona in 1767, Badía received a liberal education during his youth. His preparation for his later travels involved intense study of the Arabic language, which he pursued in London and in the town of Vera, Almería, where his father served as a military accountant. He supplemented his linguistic training with a specialized investigation into the customs and manners of Arabian societies.
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From 1803 to 1805, Badía maintained his disguise as Ali Bey al-Abbasi in Morocco, gaining the favor of the local king. His journey took him through Tripoli, Cyprus, and Egypt before he reached Mecca to perform the hajj. His ruse allowed him entry into the Cave of Machpelah at Hebron and various sites in Jerusalem and Syria. He arrived in Constantinople in the autumn of 1807, though his identity faced scrutiny, forcing his return to French-occupied Spain.
Political Life and Literary Output
Upon his return to Spain, Badía supported King Joseph I and accepted positions as intendant of Segovia and later Cordoba. Following the French defeat at Vitoria in 1813 and the subsequent abdication of King José, Badía sought refuge in France. In 1814, he published a three-volume French account of his expeditions, with an English translation following in 1816 under the title Travels of Ali Bey.
Final Expedition and Death
In 1818, he embarked on a second journey under the alias Ali Othman, acting as a French agent. His mission ended abruptly on August 30, 1818, when he died in Aleppo. Rumors of poisoning circulated regarding his sudden passing. His burial remained a subject of contention, as he was denied an Islamic funeral after a cross was discovered within his clothing.
Fast facts
- Born: 1767, Barcelona
- Died: 1818, Aleppo
- Primary Alias: Ali Bey al-Abbasi
- Notable Works: Travels of Ali Bey
- Education: Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando (1786)
- Languages Known: French, Spanish, Catalan
- Key Event: Saudi conquest of Mecca (1807)
Questions readers ask
Was Ali Bey al-Abbasi a practicing Muslim?
He maintained a public persona as a Muslim to access forbidden religious sites, but evidence, such as the discovery of a cross on his person upon his death, suggests this was a disguise for his activities as a spy and explorer.
What was his connection to the French administration?
He supported the Bonapartist administration in Spain, served as an intendant for King Joseph I, and later acted as a French agent during his final journey in 1818.
Achievements
- Recorded as explorer, arabist and writer
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