History
Kahndaq is an Arab country on the continent of Africa located between Egypt and Jordan. It is ruled by the antihero Black Adam, and was one of the countries that spearheaded the Freedom of Power Treaty.[1] Its capital city is named Shiruta. At least one of its official languages is Arabic.[2]
Culturally, the country is similar to Egypt. As such, the majority of the Kahndaqi population are relatively liberal Sunni Muslims who are willing to view Black Adam as a prophet along the lines of Mohammed. Due to the relatively liberal culture, the social barriers to women in Kahndaq are by no means as stringent as they are in Muslim countries that impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Over 3,600 years ago, Kahndaq was the birth place of Black Adam. In 1600 B.C. Kahndaq was attacked and burned to the ground by the super-villain Ahk-Ton, in which Black Adam's first wife and children were among those killed.[3] The deaths of his wife and children drove Black Adam to take extreme measures to protect Kahndaq. This in turn forces the wizard Shazam to remove Adam's powers and entomb him for centuries.
By modern times, Kahndaq fell under the rule of dictator Asim Muhunnad, who was eventually overthrown by Black Adam and a group of former Justice Society of America members, and executed by Atom Smasher.[4] Black Adam soon declared himself ruler of Kahndaq. Kahndaq was heavily damaged shortly thereafter by the Spectre, during the Day of Vengeance.[5]
Kahndaq became a major setting for the events that surround the Black Marvel Family, consisting Black Adam's bride Isis and his brother-in-law Osiris. After the Infinite Crisis, Black Adam became the "guardian" of Kahndaq, though he is treated like a god amongst the nation's citizens. He issued several draconian laws, including public executions every Wednesday (which Black Adam carried out himself).[2] However, these harsh policies are tempered by Isis, who along with Osiris encouraged Black Adam to turn Kahndaq into a paradise. Unfortunately, the Black Marvel Family's plans were short-lived, as Kahndaq is attacked by the Four Horsemen of Apokolips, a quartet of artificially enhanced beings based in the nearby country of Bialya. Isis and Osiris were killed, which prompted a deeply vengeful Black Adam to kill the Horsemen and attacking Bialya, killing nearly every inhabitant.[6]
Points of Interest
- Shiruta: Capital city of Kahndaq.
Residents
- Black Adam
- Isis
- Osiris
- Tamir: Tamir was a very loyal follower of Teth-Adam. Following Teth-Adam's slaughter of the Bialyans and the events of World War III, Tamir mercilessly battered the now-depowered Teth across the face to make him unrecognizable and able to walk the streets of Kahndaq with discretion. He accompanies Teth past the Kahndaq border checkpoint, and, a few days later, into the tomb of Isis and Osiris. They kill the guards and exhume Isis' remains. An alarm sounds and the men engage in combat with armed soldiers. During the carnage, Black Adam and Tamir escape. Weeks later, Black Adam and Tamir scale the windswept mountains of the Himalayas. When food becomes scarce, Tamir offers himself up to Black Adam so as to give him strength to continue his journey. Black Adam accepts Tamir's brave offer and eats him vowing to pray for his soul every day thereafter.[7]
Notes
The JSA observe a map of Kahndaq.
- A map seen in JSA #56 shows that Kahndaq appears to be a landlocked country on the Sinai Peninsula