Harun al-Rashid (786-809 AD) was the Caliph on whose court the tales of "One Thousand and One Nights" took place. His palace in Baghdad was the epitome of oriental splendor and lavish sumptuousness. Emperor Charlemagne, al-Rashid's counterpart in faraway Europe, could only dream of such luxury. Charles maintained diplomatic relations with al-Rashid and was duly impressed by the presents the Caliph sent him – among them an Indian elephant named Abul Abbas. This dirhem was issued under the reign of Harun al-Rashid. It shows on both faces the Kalima, the declaration of Faith, and was minted in Sistan in southwest Afghanistan.