Built in fatimid style, the mosque Al-Hakim in Cairo was named after Imam Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (985–1021), the sixth Fatimid caliph- the first one to be born in Egypt. The mosque was built outside the city's northern wall as an enclosure but became incorporated within the city in 1087 giving its own northern wall and minarets to the extended fortifications. Today, it is located the area of the city which is known as "Islamic Cairo", just south of Bab Al-Futuh, the northern gate.
 |
| Plan- Muslimheritage.com |
The mosque is composed of a rectangle with four arcades surrounding the courtyard. On the interior of the "rectangle" there is a five aisled prayer hall or sanctuary similar to the plan of Al-Hzhar. The central nave in front of the mihrab was enlarged and raised higher above the roof and was pierced with clerestory windows like Al Aqsa in Jerusalem. The mihrab was defined by a semi-circular dome raised on squinches and standing at the center of two corner domes which are similar in design. One of the unusual features is the monumental entrance with a projecting porch. one of the features which makes the mosque stand out are the minarets on either side of the facade. originally, these were independent of the walls but have since been incorporated in to the corners. the minarets at the mosque AL-Hakim are the oldest ones in Cairo and have been restored various times in their history. the massive salient were added in 1010 to strengthen their structure and the northern one was incorporated into the city wall. the structures are hollow because they have been built around the original minarets which are still connected with brackets and can be seen from above.
 |
| Image: muslimheritage.com |
 |
| Image: muslimheritage.com |
Over the years, the mosque has been used for purposes other than a place of religion and prayer. During the time of the Crusades, it was used as a prison for captured crusaders, and Napoleon used it as a fortress. Saladin used the mosque as a stable and it has also been used as a local school. Because of the various purposes the structure has been used for in its lifetime, unfortunately it fell out of use.
In 1980, the mosque went under extensive construction and restoration. It was refurbished with white marble and gold trim by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the head of an international Ismalli sect based in India. Some parts of the original decorations were restored at this time. These include stucco carvings, timber tie-beams and Quranic inscriptions. After these restorations, the mosque became a mosque again- a place of peace, quiet and a welcomed break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Today, it is used as a place of worship and a tourist attraction.
 |
shaspo.com
|
Sources:
1- muslimheritage.com
2- Creswell, K. A. C. Sir (Keppel Archibald Cameron). Early Muslim Architecture. Oxford : Clarendon P., 1969. Book
No comments:
Post a Comment