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The (Sayyidna)-Hussain Mosque (Arabic: مسجد الإمام الحسين‎; Egyptian Arabic: جامع سيدنا الحسين‎) is a mosque and mausoleum originally built in 1154, then later reconstructed in 1874.[1] The mosque is located in Cairo, Egypt, near the Khan El-Khalili bazaar in the area known as Al-Hussain.[1]

It is considered to be one of the holiest Islamic sites in Egypt and named after Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussain ibn Ali.[2] Some Shia Muslims believe that Hussain's head is buried on the grounds of the mosque where the mausoleum is located today and considered to be what is left of the Fatimid architecture in the building.[2]

Al-Hussain Mosque
Al-Hussain Mosque, Old Cairo al-Qāhirah, CG, EGY (47911531081)
Outside courtyard with with people today still praying in Al-Hussain Mosque.
Religion
AffiliationIslam
Year consecratedOriginal:1154 Reconstructed:1874
Location
LocationCairo, Egypt
Architecture
TypeMosque
StyleGothic Revival architecture, Ottoman, Islamic eclecticism
FounderIsma'il Pasha
Gothic styles windows and Ottoman minaret

Architecture[edit]

Following the beheading of Hussain ibn Ali in Iraq during the Battle of Karbala, in 1153 his head was sent to Cairo, Egypt to be protected by building a mausoleum for it completed in 1154.[2] Of this original Fatimid architectural structure, only the lower part of the south side gate called Bab Al-Akhdar remains original in the mosque today.[1] A couple years later, a minaret was added to the original Fatimid gateway by Ayyubid Salih Nagm al-Din in 1237.[1] The minaret has panel carvings of overlapping lines that create patterns called arabesque popular in Islamic Architecture.[1] The different minarets among this mosque play a role in portraying the various powers that ruled Cairo and the way they laminated their power through architecture.[3] Finally in 1874, Isma'il Pasha (Khedive Isma'il) reconstructed the mosque inspired by the Gothic Revival Architecture.[4] Wanting to modernize Cairo, Isma'il Pasha created a mosque with Italian Gothic style and Ottoman style minarets.[1] This mixture of various architectural styles famous is Islamic architecture during the khedival time period is called Islamic eclecticism.[1]

Today, the latest addition to Al-Hussain Mosque are three large canopy umbrellas.[5] It was added to protect those praying outdoors from the sun during the summer days and from the rain during the winter.[5] They are mechanically operated and follow the designs of many Saudi Arabian mosques made from steal and teflon.[5] Many people still come to this mosque to pray and visit the mausoleum on a normal basis.[1] Although non-muslims are not allowed into the building, the structure is still viewed from the outside by tourists.[1]

One of three canopy umbrellas placed in the courtyard of the mosque.


  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Williams, Caroline (2004). "Islamic Monuments in Cairo : The Practical Guide". American University in Cairo Press – via ProQuest Ebook Central.
  2. ^ a b c "Masjid al-Husayn". Archnet. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
  3. ^ Behrens-Abouseif, Doris., Warner, Nicholas., O’Kane, Bernard (2010). The Minarets of Cairo : Islamic Architecture from the Arab Conquest to the End of the Ottoman Empire.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Rabbat, Nasser (2008). "Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians". Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. 61 – via JSTOR.
  5. ^ a b c "Al-Husayn Mosque Canopies | Presentation panel with structural details of umbrellas". Archnet. Retrieved 2019-12-09.