Mosque of Amr Ibn El-As

Mosque of Amr Ibn El-As

Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-As

 Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-As is the first mosque built in Egypt and Africa and It was constructed by Amr Ibn Al-As in 642 AD, the commander of the Muslim army that conquered Egypt, the mosque is also known as Taj al- Jawamie (Crown mosques , al- Jamie'al - Ateeq (the ancient mosque) and Masjid Ahl ar - Rayah (mosque carrying banner). 

In he center of Al Futat was the mosque which later on was named "The Mosque of Amr" It was surrounded by the plans and houses of Al Fustat. Originally the mosque was overlooking the Nile from the Northwest side .

The mosque was built on the site of the tent of Amr Ibn al -As in Fustat , the oldest existing mosque, not just in Cairo, but the entire African continent. Located north of the Roman fortress of Babylon , it is actually on the edge of Fustat , the temporary city founded by Amr , and was a center of Islamic teaching, long before El -Azhar mosque. It could accommodate up to 5,000 students.The mosque was built on an area of 1500 square cubits, overlooking the Nile . The original structure was quite simple, with bare walls of any plaster or decorations , but without recess (miharb), minaret or ground cover. There were two doors on the north and two facing the house Amr.

The mosque area remained unchanged until 672 AD ( 53 AH) , when Musallama al- Ansari, the ruler of Egypt on behalf of Caliph Mu'awiya Ibn Abi - Sufian undertook the expansion and renovation of the mosque. Walls and ceilings were decorated and four compartments for " muezzins " (callers to prayer ) were added in the corners , with a minaret , while the mosque floor was covered with straw mats.

The inside of the Mosque of Amr Ibn El- Aas

Although originally a small structure was destroyed and restored so often that it is impossible to know the appearance of the first building. The Umayyad ʿ Abd al-ʿ Aziz ibn Marwan demolished and rebuilt the mosque, probably closely following the original dimensions in 698. In 827 the Abbasids ofʿ rebuilt, doubling its size. The mosque was restored by Saladin in 1172 after the city of al-Fustat was burnt by the Crusaders. After periodic cycles of ruin and restoration, the mosque was left to rot with the arrival of the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte in Cairo in 1798. The mosque is a reconstruction of the 19th century and retains design elements and ornaments from different eras in the history of the building work.
 
Under the Abbasid state , successive additions and repairs were introduced. In 827 AD ( 212 AH) , Abdullah Ibn Taher , the ruler of Egypt on behalf of the caliph al- Ma'mun ordered an area equivalent to the north to be added to the mosque , bringing its total area to its current level of 13,556,25 square meters. ( 112.3 x 120.5m ) . However, the Fatimid period This was the golden era of the mosque, where golden mosaics , works in marble, a wooden cupboard and a chair in motion have been introduced and some of the niche was coated with silver .
 

Panorama of the Mosque of Amr Ibn El- Aas

Recent structural changes in the Amr Mosque were made during the reign of Murad Bey in the Ottoman era , in 1797 AD ( 1212 AD) . Due to the collapse of some columns inside the mosque was demolished and rebuilt. As a result, the arcades of the East have been repositioned so as to be perpendicular to the mihrab wall . Consequently, the arcs have been extended through the windows. Two minarets were built and still exist .

Amr Mosque was not only a place of worship but also served as a court settlement of civil and religious disputes. In addition, academic circles have been organized either for general religious preaching or teaching in Quranic sciences, jurisprudence and the Tradition of the Prophet Muhammad ( Hadith ) as well as letters lessons.

The mosque incorporates elements of Greek and Roman buildings, and has 150 white marble columns and three minarets. Simple design , its present plan consists of an open courtyard (patio ) surrounded by four riwaqs, the most important being the riwaq Qibla . There are a number of wooden plaques bearing Byzantine carvings of leaves, and partially enclosed column is believed to have been miraculously transported from Mecca on the orders of Muhammad himself . There are many other ancient legions related to the Mosque.

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Queen Hatshepsut Temple

Queen Hatshepsut Temple

Temple Hatshetsupt

The Queen Hatshepsut temple also known as Deir El- Bahari on the west bank of Luxor framed by steep cliffs and cut into the mountainside . This magnificent temple was the inspiration of the queen who would be king - Hatshepsut , daughter of Thutmose I. To know the history of the temple we need to know something of the Queen who built it .

Queen Hatshepsut

Queen Hatshepsut was prevented by sex of her accession to the throne after his father Thutmose 1. although the daughter of the Great Royal Wife Ahmose his lineage makes it the only legitimate heir to all his son were minor wives. She married her half-brother Thutmose II and retained the regency during his reign and co- regent during the reign of Thutmose III to later in his expert holding hands.There is no doubt that Queen Hatshepsut was not ready to let the fact that she was a woman standing in her way to become king. She was strong-willed and wore a shirt and royal ceremonial beard , the insignia of royalty. She ascended the throne name - Makerere and proved his right to the throne by many reliefs of her divine birth.Once Hatshepsut had obtained the throne, she embarked on the construction of temples and monuments and restoration of damaged shrines . As she could not register his name in history through military conquests , she tried to record in history by architectural achievements.

luxor-temple-complex-of-karnak

She erected obelisks in Karnak temple is such that the sparkling advice would shine on both land as it appeared in the horizon of the sky in a way . She planned Del El -Bahri be no less spectacular. She worked with her architect Senmut , drawing ideas from the adjacent temple of the 11th Dynasty pharaoh Mentuhotep II and III , but on a larger scale. Using the idea of ​​a terrace and add another level , he designed a terraced sanctuary including courts , one on the other with the center connection inclined ramps. It included shrines dedicated to Hathor and Anubis and rooms devoted to the Queen and her parents.For Senmut was a labor of love . He began his service with Hatshepsut as a tutor for his daughter Neferure . He was ambitious and had solid skills that have moved up the ladder of success. He was a supporter of Queen Hatshepsut , lover and probably his as policy advisor and acted as a member of the royal family with no less than 40 titles that enjoy privileges and benefits ever given to a man of humble birth. He was allowed to build his tomb near the temple of Hatshepsut something never allowed an official before or after.The body of Queen Hatshepsut was never found, even though she had two graves. The first tomb was in the Valley of the Kings where all members of the 18th Dynasty were laid to rest. After she became Pharaoh has built a second tomb in the Valley Taker Zeid overlooking the Valley of the Kings . The first tomb was designed so that the corridors dug 213 meters below the hill barrier would lead to the burial chamber itself directly in the mortuary temple . It appeared she wanted to be buried in the Valley of the Kings , but wishes to comply with the old practice of linking the grave with the mortuary temple . The transition was very basic and poorly among other rock prevented the passage to be completed and was abandoned.

Mummy of Hatshepsut

The sarcophagus of Hatshepsut was expanded to accommodate the body or his father Thutmose I, until the priests of the 20th dynasty, his mother moved to the tree of Deir el -Bahari in a safe place . His own tomb had already been used by Thutmose II , who died prematurely after a short co- regency with Queen Hatshepsut. When Thutmose III has become Pharaoh , he expelled the throne of Queen Hatshepsut . In his anger , he led a campaign of destruction clear his name , statues and any reference to it all the temples in the country , including Deir el -Bahari .Later , King Akhenaton more mutilated inscriptions at Deir el Bahri.They were then mutilated when Ramses II tried to restore with defects. Later , Christians install a convent adding to the desecration of all monks , leaving the temple as it is today.April Betts CHA - I am an owner of AZ Tours and Action Travel with my partner Khaled Azzam . We travel and tour specialists . I've been in the travel business for over 30 years and specializes in customized tours for any destination and Khaled is specialized in trips to Egypt Egyptologist .AZ Tours is our online agency offers one on one personalized travel services and tours worldwide . Action Travel is the agency Retail in Richmond, BC, Canada with business travel and entertainment for any destination.

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Al-hakim mosque

Al-hakim mosque

 Al -Hakim bi- Amr Allah, literally "Ruler by God's command," was known to many by his dictatorial and eccentric eccentric decrees, at some point itself a divine entity, unique among its peers in the rule medieval ages Cairo said. Al -Hakim then went on a mysterious tour through Mokattam hills and never returned .

 

The painting of the mosque El Hakim Roberts

The mosque where he finished , El -Hakim is the second largest Fatimid mosque in Cairo. The mosque began in 990 by Caliph Al Aziz Billah son of famous Khalifa Al Moez Lideen Allah Al Fatimy , and was completed by al- Hakim bi- Amr Allah and his overseer Abu Muhammad al- Hafiz 'Abd al- Ghani ibn Sa 'id al- Misri in 1013.To ensure the serenity and solemnity during the Fatimid era, loggers with their camels, mules and carts loaded with straw and wood logs were banned from walking down the street that was lit all night by lanterns hanging from the facades of buildings and shops.During his life, the building served as a prison for Crusaders in captivity ( although we also said to be used as a church by them too), the warehouse of Napoleon , Salah al- Din stable, factory lamps and boys ' primary school under Nasser , when a basketball court was marked off in the yard. Napoleon's soldiers at the end of the 18th century left a mosque in a poor condition and it fell into disrepair . It was then revived during the reign of Khedive Tawfik as the basis for the first Islamic Museum before the museum was transferred to Bab al- Khalq in 1903. Before the modern era, the last time he was mentioned as being used as a mosque was in 1452 AD.

 

ancient writing

Courtyard of the mosque El Hakim

Courtyard of the mosque El Hakim

 The wall structure of the mosque El Hakim

Originally the mosque was located outside the walls closing Fatmid Cairo to Badr al- Gamali rebuilt the north wall to include al- Hakim mosque within the walled city .This is a good example of a congregational mosque that was typical of the early Islamic architecture . The mosque is built of brick with stone facades and minarets , and covers about the same area as the Ibn Tulun mosque. It has an irregular rectangular plan with a central rectangular courtyard surrounded by open arches supported by pillars made ​​with a prayer hall whose arcades are also carried out on compounds pillars. The front of the North Central received a monumental portal project . The mosque has three domes and a central nave in the prayer hall qibla , higher and wider than the aisles , with a basilica layout . Termination of this went to the mihrab is marked by a dome made ​​of tubes and domes mark the outer corners of the prayer hall as well .

 

 The portal ( entrance) to the mosque El Hakim

Another view of the entrance to the El Hakim Mosque

Both different in shape and decoration corner minarets, were locked in the projection structures trapezoidal stone projects in the street, under the reign of al- Hakim in AD 1002-3 (although some set dates for coating structures to 1010 AD ).

The , the lower part of the oldest Minaret within the outer casing

Looking at the minaret of Al- Hakim Mosque

Minaret with its outer surface on the lower part

These minarets are the oldest surviving minarets in Cairo, state the exterior walls of the mosque. The bases are original and can be seen within the foothills , where the peaks were replaced in 1303 by Baybars II al- Gashankir during Mumluk after an earthquake destroyed the upper floors.

 

Image early El -Hakim Mosque

Baybars was also responsible for mabkhara florets and the polychrome marble facing mihrab in the qibla wall to the right of the main mihrab . An internal staircase leads to the city walls and a walkway which date from the 12th century.Given the strong affiliation of the Fatimids in North Africa and in particular in Kairouan in Tunisia, al- Hakim has built a mosque in the tradition of the Great Mosque of Kairouan. However, it can also be said that the mosque was modeled on that of Ibn Tulun if clerestoried mihrab nave follows the style of the Al -Azhar mosque.Very few of the original decorations remaining after restoration by Ismaili Shi -i sect . The mosque was locked in stone and wood tie beams , stucco carvings in the clerestory and Koranic inscriptions remain original decorations .Today, every Friday mosque hosts hordes of faithful who go to every week to perform their midday prayers, and give the Al Hakim mosque its reputation as the most popular mosque in Old Cairo .

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Egyptians Pyramids

Sphinx and Pyramids, Giza, Egypt

There are more famous ancient sites in Egypt or elsewhere in the world , the Great Pyramids of Giza. They are, without doubt, the icon most associated with Egypt. They have been both the main destination for tourists, and a source of imaginative thought to the world for over three thousand years.

 However , there are actually over 100 pyramids in Egypt , many of which are relatively unknown to anyone who is not an ancient Egypt enthusiast . All but a very few are grouped around and near the city of Cairo , just south of the Nile Delta . Otherwise, only one royal pyramid is known in southern Egypt ( at Abydos ), namely the one built by Ahmose , founder of the 18th Dynasty and New Kingdom.It of Egypt may also have been the last royal pyramid built Egypt.
 Therefore, the great pyramids were not built throughout the history of ancient Egypt. The age of the pyramid began with an explosion of construction, from the 3rd Dynasty reign of Djoser . Some of the early kings , especially Snefru , built more than a pyramid. Almost all added to their number until the end of the Middle Kingdom , with the possible exception of the First Intermediate Period between the Old and Middle East kings. After the first pharaoh of the New France from Egypt, Ahmose , royal pyramid building by Egyptians ceased entirely . Somewhat abruptly the kings of the New Kingdom chose , rather than making their tombs completely obvious , to hide in the hills of the West Bank of Thebes ( modern Luxor) .However, smaller pyramids were built , for example in the Deir el -Medina necropolis, by private individuals . The Late Period Nubians who ruled Egypt also built relatively small pyramids with much steeper sides , if they were actually built in Nubia itself. This tradition was carried on in Nubia after these leaders have lost control of southern Egypt , and finally , more pyramids were actually built in Nubia than Egypt , but on a much smaller scale.Other pyramids in the world certainly exist , but their purpose , for the most part, were different from those of ancient Egypt . The most famous outside Egypt are probably those located in Mexico and southern Mexico , but these appear to have been built more as temples . In Egypt , all but a select few of the pyramids were built as tombs , sometimes to hold the physical body of a pharaoh (as well as others) or to hold the soul of the deceased (as in the case of small cult pyramids built next to the largest ) . Otherwise, in order to only a few regional stepped pyramids remains elusive.While pyramids were, for the most part, the tombs of the Pharaohs of Egypt , we must nevertheless question the reason that Egyptian rulers chose this particular shape , and also why they built them so great. Today, we think they chose the shape in order to mimic the Benben , a pyramid shaped stone found in the earliest of temples , which itself is thought to symbolize the primeval mound from which the Egyptians believed life emerged . This also connected the pyramid to Re, the sun god , as he was , according to some of the ancient Egypt mythology , who rose from the primeval mound to create life .Regarding the large size of most of the Egyptian pyramids , we can only assume that the Pharaohs have made ​​a statement about their own power and might and glory and strength of their country. However, we must not forget that many of these pyramids were not nearly as large as the Great Pyramids of Giza ( and elsewhere).Evolved pyramids. The first of them was not a perfectly formed pyramid . In fact, we believe that the first pyramid was built in Egypt, that of Djoser, was not a true pyramid at all with smooth point atop walls . Instead, his side have been strengthened, and the top of the truncated pyramid with a flat surface ( as best we know ) . As the Egyptian pyramids evolved, there were failures as well glorious failures until finally , they were right with what was probably the first true pyramid built Meidum smooth face . In fact, pyramids continued to evolve throughout their history not always , perhaps in appearance , but in how they were built and in the theology surrounding their construction. For example, towards the end of the age pyramid of Egypt, Osirian beliefs seem to have impacted more on the layout and design of underground chambers .However, shortly after the first pyramids were built, their form became somewhat standardized. Royal pyramid complexes included the main pyramid, a courtyard surrounding the main pyramid, a much smaller pyramid worship the king's soul, a mortuary temple situated next to the main pyramid , a wall and a floor that leading to a valley temple. Some pyramid complexes included subsidiary, smaller pyramids for family members, and most were surrounded by some sort of tombs of family members.
 

Our thinking on pyramids has evolved considerably over the years. Many of us who are a little older have learned that the pyramids were built using Jewish slave labor , which is a production of immense proportions. Most of the pyramids were built long before the Jews made ​​their appearance historically and currently , many, if not most researchers believe they have not been built with slave labor at all ( or perhaps a some nominal number of slaves ) .Otherwise, we can also reject offhand alternative theories about aliens or some lost being responsible for the construction of the pyramid culture. There's just too much evidence, including tools, drawings, evolutionary changes, and even worker villages that govern these crazy ideas obsolete .However, some mysteries remain, even in some of the better known pyramids . The most famous of them, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, continues, year after year, to give up a few more secrets, and there is undoubtedly much to learn from these Egyptian treasures. There may even be one or more pyramids yet to be discovered .

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Madrasa, Mosque khanqah

Facade of the mosque and madrasa al- Ghuri

Qansuh al- Ghuri was the penultimate Mameluke sultan , and the last to enjoy a reign lasting between 1500 and 1516 . Al- Ghuri ( Ghuriya , Ghouri ) seems to have been an energetic man, who was still playing polo 70 years. He was also a somewhat arbitrary deposit which could be cruel and superstitious . Time and again we have someone here who was brutally tortured to extort money , or someone else who was hanged or halved for an offense , real or imagined . On the other hand , al- Ghuri seems to have taken its responsibilities seriously , and was a great builder . He also loved flowers and music, wrote poetry , and was attracted by the Sufis and other pious men . Had he not ruined an already weak economy by avarice , he probably would have gone down in history as one of the best sultans.
He died (some say a heart attack ) the fight against the Ottoman Turks outside Aleppo , following the defection of Amir Khayrbak the middle of the battle. His body was never found and his grave has been occupied by his successor, the unfortunate Tumanbay , which was initially buried in the courtyard behind the mausoleum.

David Roberts drawing silk market between the two buildings

 Qansuh Sultan al- Ghuri built his funerary complex between 1503 and 1504 in the district Fahhamin
 ( charcoal market ) on al- Mu'izz street in Islamic Cairo. Although there was a significant decline in the quality of craftsmanship , particularly in stone carving and marble inlay during his reign , this is an interesting architectural composition built on both sides a street. In this regard, they are one of the most impressive hyphen or double sets in Cairo. The west side includes a Friday ( congregational ) madrasa - Qa'a mosque built on the plane, while the eastern part khanqah and includes a mausoleum and a Sabil - Kuttab .

Madrasa and MosqueThe madrasa was inaugurated on the eve of the Feast of Sacrifice (' Id al- Adha) In May 1503 , with a grand banquet in the presence of the Abbasid Caliph Mustamsik , the Chief Justices of the four orthodox rites , and the main army and civil servants of the day . This was a major event, and Ibn Iyas, who wrote a contemporary account says that"The new building was richly decorated and filled with a profusion of marble. It was a splendid building of sumptuous elegance , which we could compare any contemporary monument. However, the Sultan is generally accused of having built with the help of illegal confiscations , not to mention the fact that most of the marble had been taken from other buildings and bought at ridiculous prices (forced ) ... "The madrasa and the mosque was built at the end of the Mamluk style cross and was certainly inspired by Madrasa and Mausoleum of Qaytbay , but it is bigger in size and details are less elegant. The effect is a pleasant building with strong masculine characteristics and functional design .The west facade of the complex has a stalactite portal trefoil , a band and a minaret tiraz project at its southern edge .

 

The Qibla wall, mihrab and minbar of the mosque

The minaret is atypical of the period. Normally, the Mamluk minarets consist of octagonal and round square layers , but this four-storey minaret is rectangular up and down , with arched panels on each side. The summit was originally four bulbs instead of one, and they were made of brick covered with green tiles . However, in 1505 , after it was noticed that the minaret was examined , it was rebuilt and the upper part was made with bricks covered with blue ceramic tiles . This summit with five bulbs is more modern , and a distortion of the original. There were already two minarets bulbs , such as those in the mosques of al- Rammah Qanibay and that of al- Ghuri at al-Azhar . When Muhammad Bey Abu'l- Dhahab built his mosque minaret he crowned with five bulbs. In addition, the square red and white checkerboard that adorn the minaret are actually painted on , and very roughly that.

 

Northwestern Iwan in the mosque

Inside , there are distinctive in polychrome marble dados , indicating planned and golden geometric patterns and painted woodwork. There is a sunken courtyard and open center surrounded by four iwan . The two largest of iwans have Moorish arches , while the two smaller raised arches.

The interior is richly paneled and paved with black and white marble . Stone carving covers the walls, but it is of poor quality, shallow and repetitive. Of interest are the stalactites that frame the upper walls of the covered courtyard , under the skylight .

The khanqah and Mausoleum

This part of the complex today functions as a cultural center.

The front of the mausoleum khanqah and also features a stalactite portal and cranberry tiraz band . On the northern edge of the Sabil projects - Kuttab in the street with three facades. Inside the Sabil - Kuttab is very decorative, with marble floors and ceiling supported by rounded beams painted and gilded .

The base of the dome

 
Inside, from the hallway, the burial chamber is right and left is a prayer room with three evenly distributed around the raised portion liwans and covered with a lantern.The mausoleum on the south side of the interior has only its rectangular base and the transition zone of the dome. The dome , made ​​of brick and covered with green tiles , collapsed in the early 1900s. In fact , the dome was unstable from the beginning. It was rebuilt three times during the life of al - Ghuri, and the builder obviously neverjust seen . We know that the mausoleum of Imam Shafi'i dome was also discussed in a moment of green tiles , perhaps after the restoration of al- Ghuri .

 The pendants in the mausoleum

The transition zone is made of stone pendants . Perhaps the most interesting feature here is the carved wall surface. Just above the marble paneling just below the fallout of the dome missing, the entire wall is carved in arabesque which gives him a curious look brocade stone. However, the beautiful marble tiles adorning the madrasa , having been confiscated by al- Ghuri someone else in the first place , were in turn confiscated and taken to Istanbul by Selim I in 1517.

On the left side or the north entrance vestibule is a Qa'a , here called a khanqah , although no living unit were attached to him. Khanqahs earlier did provide housing to Sufis, but it was rarely increased during the late Mamluk period. The waqf deed stipulates that the Sufis must have their meetings, but does not refer to housing provided for them. However , there are some living units attached to the madrasa in the street , which was probably that of the student housing foundation act does not mention teaching activities.

These structures are an example of a royal religious foundation with facades that are not adjusted to the street line . They form an angle instead , leaving the space between the two sides extending in a kind of square. The place is semi- closed at the north end of the projection of the Sabil - kuttab the mausoleum, and the southern end of the projection

the minaret of the madrasa . The place was rented for market stalls , whose revenues contribute to the endowment of the foundation of Sultan al- Ghuri . At one time , the site was covered over , and when David Roberts instead , in 1839 , it was a silk market . This support continues today . There are still shops here on both sides of the street , and the tear is now collected by the Ministry of Endowments and used in the maintenance of religious buildings and their staff .



 

The front of the mausoleum and Khanqah

 While Al- Ghuri himself was never buried in his mausoleum, several others were before the death of the sultan. The first was a daughter of his in 1505 , followed by his son , Nasir al- Din Muhammad , thirteen, and one of his concubines . The last two were victims of the plague. In 1510 , al- Ghuri also had a three-year old daughter of his secretary of state , Tumanbay buried here .

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