The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

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As Ramadan fills Egypt with a sense of devotion, the call to prayer rises from minarets old and new, echoing through Cairo, the City of a Thousand Minarets. These mosques are more than places of worship; they are timeless symbols of faith, history, and architectural mastery. From the first simple prayer halls of early Islam to the grand structures of today, each mosque tells a story of Egypt’s evolving spiritual and artistic identity, standing as a testament to centuries of devotion and craftsmanship.

The Mosque of a Conqueror

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The story of Egypt’s mosques begins in the very heart of Cairo, though at the time, it was not yet a city. It was 642 AD when Amr ibn al-As, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, led the Muslim conquest of Egypt. Here, in a settlement called Fustat, he built a simple place of worship, the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As. It was modest, made of palm trunks and mud bricks, but it was more than just a building. It was a symbol, a foundation for something far more significant. As Egypt embraced Islam, its mosques began to grow, change, and tell new stories.

The Tulunids’ Minaret That Rises from the Sand

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By the 9th century, the city had transformed. Under the rule of the Tulunids, mosque architecture became grander. One of the most striking examples of this era is the Mosque of Ibn Tulun. Built entirely of brick, its design was unlike anything seen before. Its vast courtyard, geometric patterns, and spiral minaret reminiscent of ancient Mesopotamian structures gave it an air of mystery. Even today, as you walk through its silent arches, it feels as though time itself has stopped, whispering secrets of centuries past.

The City of the Fatimids and the Birth of Beauty

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However, it was during the Fatimid era that Cairo truly began to shine. In 969 AD, the Fatimids founded the city as their capital, bringing with them a love for intricate ornamentation and refined artistry. The Al-Azhar Mosque, built soon after, became more than just a place of worship; it became a beacon of knowledge and home to one of the world’s oldest universities. Its delicate calligraphy and floral patterns spoke of a civilisation that valued both faith and intellect. Not far from it stood the Al-Hakim Mosque, its towering walls and majestic domes reflecting the ambition of its rulers.

The Mamluks and The Sultan’s Grand Vision

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Then came the Mamluks, and an era of unparalleled architectural splendour came with them. If the Fatimids had shaped Cairo, the Mamluks carved its soul. Theirs was a time of sultans and scholars, of warriors and artisans, each leaving their mark on the city’s skyline. The Sultan Hassan Mosque, built in the 14th century, was a marvel of engineering, its sheer scale enough to humble even the most powerful of rulers. Nearby, the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Barquq stood with its intricate stone carvings and glowing stained-glass windows, a testament to the artistic mastery of the time.

The Ottomans’ Echoes From Istanbul

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As centuries passed, new rulers came, and with them, new influences. The Ottomans brought their own style, evident in the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, perched high on the Citadel. Its soaring domes and slender minarets, inspired by the mosques of Istanbul, added yet another chapter to Egypt’s architectural story.

A New Capital, A New Minaret

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But the tale does not end in the past. Today, Egypt continues to build, creating new mosques that stand proudly alongside their ancient predecessors. In the New Administrative Capital, a city rising from the desert, two great mosques now dominate the landscape. The Al-Fattah Al-Aleem Mosque, completed in 2019, is a breathtaking structure, its vast prayer hall capable of holding thousands of worshippers. Its domes gleam under the Egyptian sun, and its minarets, standing tall at 95 metres, seem to touch the sky.

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Even larger is the Misr Mosque, completed in 2023, a true giant among mosques. With its towering 140-metre minarets and an interior so vast it can accommodate over 100,000 people, it is a symbol of Egypt’s vision for the future. Yet, despite its modernity, it carries echoes of the past, blending traditional Islamic artistry with contemporary engineering.

Cairo remains the City of a Thousand Minarets, though, in truth, there are far more than that now. From the simple mud-brick structure of Amr ibn al-As to the grandeur of Misr Mosque, Egypt’s mosques tell a story of faith, resilience, and artistry.