Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque/Old Cairo

Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque/Old Cairo. Who was Amr Ibn Al-Aas? The Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque was the Centre for Governance and the Heart of the Islamic Religion in Egypt. It was called by several names, including the Crown of Mosques, The Ancient Mosque and also the Taj of Mosques. The Mosque was the first and oldest Mosque constructed in Egypt, and originally theMosque overlookd the Nile from it’s Northwest Side. The current features of the Mosque are quite different from the original features, as there have been many restorations and reconstructions carried out since the time that the first Foundations were laid, and the most important of these was the work of the Govenor Abdulla bin Taher in the Nineth Century, under the control of Caliph Mamoun, who extended the Area of the Mosque so that the length of the Mosque reached One Hundred and Twenty Meters and the Width One Hundred and Twelve Meters. Despite the fact that most of the Original Structure has been Replaced, the Historical Importance AS THE Site of the first Mosque in Africa continues to attract Tourists Today. Amnr Ibn Al-Aas is considered as one of the most prominent Figures in The History of Egypt, reason being he introduced Islam to Egypt. He founded a New City first North of the Roman Fort of Babylon called Fustat, to the Present Day the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas still marks the the Site of this City. The Structure has been refurbished a few times and none of the Original Structures remains Today, however it still remains the Site of the Oldest Mosque in Egypt and the Whole of the Continent of Africa. Islam entered into Egypt and the Whole of the Continent of Africa in 640 AD, with General Amr Ibn Al-Aas of the Rashidun Islamic Caliphate. The Religion which was only a couple of decades old at the time and expanding quickly with the effect of the Rashidun Caliphate, which had been formed following the death of the Prophet Mohammed in 632 AD,. In this time the Coptic Christianity had recently excelled the Religion of Ancient Egypt to become the Dominant Religion. General Amr Ibn Al-Aas and his Army entered the Area of Present Day Cairo in order to attack the Fort of Babylon which lies along the Banks of the River Nile. By Camping North of the Fort and the Settlement surrounding it, the Muslim Army undertook the start of a siege. Interesting Facts about Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque. Legend depicts that whilst they were Camping outside the City a Dove nested in the Roof of the General’s Tent. Once they had defeated Babylon, the Army prepared to move on to Alexandria, which was the Capitol of Egypt during the Greco-Roman Period, however Amr Commanded that his Tent was left where it stood, taking the Dove’s Nest as an Omen Of God’s Will. The Muslim Army apprehended Alexandria establishing control over Egypt, however word came from the Caliph Umar in Medina that they should establish a New Capitol closer to Medina. Taking note of the omen of the Dove, Amr Ibn Al-Aas constructed a Mosque at the Site where his Tent had stood and it became the Heart of the New Muslim Capitol of Egypt, Fustat. Discovered in 642 AD this Mosque which was named after the General , was the first Mosque on the African Continent. The Construction of Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque. Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque was originally built using Mud Brick, Palm Trunks and Palm Leaves for the Roof, so none of the Original Structures remains and it has been rebuilt over and over again since the Seventh Century. The first arcades of Colums were constructed in 827, giving it a permanent appearance that has since been expanded, however only a small amount of these original architraves remains Today, and can be viewed along the Mosque’s Southern Wall. The Building was most recently reconstructed in 1875. Considering the fact that most of the original Structure has been replaced, the Mosque’s Historical Importance as the Site of the first Muslim Settlement in Egypt and the first Mosque in Africa still to this Day attracts Tourists. Being convienentley Located in Old Cairo, Fustat very close to the Mar Gargis Metro Station and Coptic Cairo.