Al-Hakim Mosque
| Al-Hakim Mosque | |
|---|---|
 Interior courtyard of the mosque | |
  Shown within Egypt | |
| Basic information | |
| Location | Cairo, Egypt |
| Geographic coordinates | 30°03′16″N 31°15′49″E / 30.054571°N 31.263742°ECoordinates: 30°03′16″N 31°15′49″E / 30.054571°N 31.263742°E |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Year consecrated | 928 |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Leadership | Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Mosque |
| Architectural style | Fatimid |
| Completed | 992 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Minaret(s) | 2 |
The Mosque of al-Hakim (Arabic: مسجد الحاكم بأمر الله, translit. Masjid al-Ḥākim bi Amr Allāh), nicknamed al-Anwar (Arabic: الانور, lit. 'the Illuminated'),[1] is a major Islamic religious site in Cairo, Egypt. It is named after Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (985–1021), the sixth Fatimid caliph and 16th Ismaili Imam.
The mosque was originally built as an enclosure by the Fatimid vizier Gawhar Al-Siqilli (c. 928–992), but was incorporated into the extended fortifications built by Badr al-Jamali. It consists of an irregular rectangle with four arcades surrounding the courtyard. An unusual feature is the monumental entrance with its projecting stone porch. It is located in Islamic Cairo, on the east side of Muizz Street, just south of Bab Al-Futuh (the northern gate).
The minarets
The most spectacular feature of the mosque are the minarets on either side of the facade, reminiscent of the propylon to a pharaonic temple.
Originally the two minarets stood independent of the brick walls at the corners. These are the earliest surviving minarets in the city and they have been restored at various times during their history. The massive salients were added in 1010 to strengthen their structure, and the northern minaret was incorporated into the city wall. Inside, these strange structures are hollow, for they have been built around the original minarets, which are connected with brackets and can still be seen from the minaret above.
Post-Fatimid era
At various times, the mosque was used as a prison for captured Franks (i.e. Latin crusaders) during the Crusades, as a stable by Saladin, as a fortress by Napoleon, and as a local school. As a result of this the mosque had fallen out of use.
In 1980 ACE/1401 AH, the mosque was extensively refurbished in white marble and gold trim by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin the head of the Dawoodi Bohra, an international Ismaili sect based in India. Remnants of the original decorations, including stucco carvings, timber tie-beams, and Quranic inscriptions were restored as part of the renovations.
Today
Today the mosque is a place of worship. Its unique minarets attracts local and foreign tourists. Al-Hakim Mosque is now a place for Egyptians to pray and enjoy the calm and peacefulness of the mosque.
Gallery
Courtyard fountain
Main mihrab
Entrance gate
encryption over entrance
courtyard an overall view
qibla
chandelier near qibla
Stucco carved mihrab niche of Al-Hakim Mosque
Minaret de la Mosquée El-Hakem_-_TIMEA.jpg)
Mosque of Al-Hakim in 1878
See also
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Al-Hakim Mosque. |
References
- ↑ Behrens-Abouseif, Doris (1989). "The mosque of Caliph al-Ḥākim bi Amr Allāh (990–1003)". Islamic Architecture in Cairo: An Introduction. BRILL. pp. 63–65. ISBN 90-04-09626-4.
