City of a Thousand Minarets
Hello everyone.. hope you are all well and are having a nice summer or winter depending on the hemisphere.
Time for a catch up.. it has been a minute.
Our trip this summer was very different from our usual adventures. We started our trip with a week in Egypt. While most people hear Egypt and think pyramids, the city of Cairo has a very different significance for us. As Shia Muslims, Cairo is home to many important religious sites, shires and mosques.
The Fatimid dynasty, a Shia Muslim dynasty, ruled over North Africa and parts of the Eastern Mediterranean from 909 to 1171 AD, with Cairo as their capital. The Fatimids transformed Cairo into a thriving city, constructing grand palaces, mosques, and other public buildings as well as saw significant advancements in various fields, including architecture, art, and education. Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest universities in the world founded in 970 by the Fatimids, became a leading center of learning.
Time for a catch up.. it has been a minute.
Our trip this summer was very different from our usual adventures. We started our trip with a week in Egypt. While most people hear Egypt and think pyramids, the city of Cairo has a very different significance for us. As Shia Muslims, Cairo is home to many important religious sites, shires and mosques.
The Fatimid dynasty, a Shia Muslim dynasty, ruled over North Africa and parts of the Eastern Mediterranean from 909 to 1171 AD, with Cairo as their capital. The Fatimids transformed Cairo into a thriving city, constructing grand palaces, mosques, and other public buildings as well as saw significant advancements in various fields, including architecture, art, and education. Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest universities in the world founded in 970 by the Fatimids, became a leading center of learning.
The first and most important stop is Al Hussein Mosque - grandson of the Prophet.
Next is Sayeda Zainab Mosque - grand daughter of the Prophet.
Third is Sayeda Nafisa Mosque
And lastly is Mosque of Sayeda Ruqayya which was closed to renovations.
All four of these mosques have inside them shrines with the tomb of their namesakes.
Cairo is known as the city of 1000 minarets though it is reported that there are over 2000 mosques in the city, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun being one of the largest and oldest, constructed in 884AD.
Other mosques we visited were Al Azhar Mosque
Al Aqmar Mosque
Amr bin Al Aas Mosque - The oldest mosque in Africa built in 642AD. (Although the building has been rebuilt and modified many times after its foundation)
Juyushi Mosque - the mosque is situated inside a military zone and is open to visitors with special permission. We were able to visit it but no photographs were allowed. Below is the mosque from a distance.
and Al Hakim Mosque
When not visiting mosques we visited the famous Khan El Khalili market.
Beautiful ❤️ photos and I love the architecture and design of the mosques.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe mosque is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
https://curatedbyjennifer.com
Wow; all those mosques are so beautiful and detailed. It sounds like you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I'm sure you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful architecture and light fixtures! I'd love to browse around that market!
ReplyDeleteOH MY! those mosques are beautiful! I bet it is even better in person.
ReplyDeleteSo much beautiful architecture! I did not know that name for Cairo. Thanks for all the wonderful photos AND the history lesson!
ReplyDeleteWhat a different side of Cairo! I only visited a mosque when I was there many years ago, I have many good memories,
ReplyDeleteHave a great week,
S
The photos are fantastic. The mosques are amazing, so much detail to see.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the sights of Cairo with us. Its architecture looks absolutely stunning! xxx
ReplyDeleteWow the mosques are stunning
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful buildings! And looks like a fun market experience. Thanks for sharing all of this, can't wait to see more!
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Very beautiful--all. You get around!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sights.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience. It's really interesting to learn about the significance of Cairo beyond the pyramids, and to see the mosques and religious sites that are so important to Shia Muslims. Your photos are beautiful, and it's fascinating to see the different architectural styles and history. I especially loved the photos of the Khan El Khalili market; it looks so vibrant and full of life.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I just put up a new post. Feel free to check it out at www.melodyjacob.com.
Beautiful! Thank you for this glimpse into the mosques!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed looking at those beautiful photos of the mosques.
ReplyDeleteThose are some really beautiful mosques and markets, and you have quite a talent for photographing them!
ReplyDeleteYou all travel so much, what a blessing! It sounds like you are having/had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful.
ReplyDeletersrue.blogspot.com
Wow, the architecture of the mosques is so gorgeous. Thank you for pointing out that Cairo isn't just pyramids!
ReplyDeleteThe visit was very meaningful - beautiful mosque.
ReplyDeleteOh my those mosques are just amazing, it is so awesome that these old buildings are still around and able to visit. Looks like the market had some great things too!
ReplyDeleteThey look amazingly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip! The mosques are beautiful and the market looks like a fun place to explore.
Take care, have a great day!
These mosques are incredible! The architecture is stunning. Would love to visit the market too.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kathrineeldridge.com
What super photographs of the mosques. Beautiful buildings, so peaceful and cam. I spent a couple of weeks on a vacation in Egypt about 20 years ago. I loved every moment. Of course it was focused on the pyramids and the temples, but so much more. There was a 4 day Nile cruise, and lots of time to wander around Cairo.... which I loved! Many good memories of the Egypt Museum.... I think there is a bigger better museum now. And some very hot days in the Valley of the Kings. Wonderful trip. I am looking forward to your next post!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! The architecture is amazing!
ReplyDeleteWell I don't regret the pyramids! These mosques are superb!
ReplyDeleteAl Hussein Mosque is so majestic!
ReplyDeleteWhat a profoundly meaningful experience that must have been. It's beautiful to travel not just as a tourist, but as a pilgrim connecting with your faith and heritage. Thank you for sharing this different perspective on such a historic city. 🙏🕌
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an incredibly spiritual and powerful journey. How amazing to experience a place not just for its history, but for its deep personal and religious significance. A truly blessed adventure! 🌙🤲
ReplyDeleteIslamic architecture is utterly beautiful, those patterns and details are beautiful.xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you for such beautiful photos. Cairo is one of my dream cities to visit with Eleanor. Absolutely stunning architecture.
ReplyDeleteLovely -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOh wow how exciting to travel here. And the shots you got just stunning love all the just stunning architecture and love the alley of lights. Living your best life for sure!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
The mosques are inspiring and so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSuch an exciting trip.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness what a lovely posting, thank you for such an exciting trip replayed for us!
ReplyDeleteThe mosques are gorgeous! I love the architecture! Thanks for the brief history. I didn't realize that Egypt had such an important history for Muslims. I hope you enjoy the pyramids!
ReplyDeleteThis is incredible. The mosques look stunning and the market looked fantastic!
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