Ben Ezra synagogue Cairo, Egypt | El Geniza Synagogue Ben Ezra Synagogue is one of the largest and most important Jews Synagogues in Cairo, Egypt. The Synagogue is famous for its Geniza found in the 19th century and contained a treasure of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Judeo-Arabic manuscripts. What is the function of the synagogue? The synagogue for the Jews similar to the mosques for the Muslims and Churches for Christians, a place space for worship and prayer. in Judaism, a community house of worship that serves as a place not only for liturgical services but also for assembly and study. Where is Ben Ezra Synagogue? Ben Ezra Synagogue, referred to as El Geniza Synagogue is located in Old Cairo on Mar Girgis Street behind the Coptic Museum and near the Church of Saint Sergius and Bacchus. The Synagogue has an interesting mix of history, as the site was originally a church and then converted into a synagogue a century ago. What was the Ben Ezra synagogue? Once the Synagogue was a Coptic Church belonging to the Hanging Church but Ahmed Ibn Tulun forced the Christians to pay 20000 gold dinars in annual taxes. Patriarch Mikhail III the 56 Pope sold it to the Jews to be able to pay the taxes. As a consequence, Abraham Ben Ezra, who came from Jerusalem during Ahmed Ibn Tulun's reign, bought the church for 20,000 dinars. Jews believe that the prophet Moses lived in the area or in other words it is the place where baby Moses was found. When Ben Ezra Synagogue was built? The construction date of the Ben Ezra Synagogue is not known, but there is evidence from some documents found in Geniza that it dates back to 882 C.E and most probably pre-Islam. Ben Ezra Synagogue Cairo Egypt layout First
Ben Ezra synagogue Cairo, Egypt | El Geniza Synagogue Ben Ezra Synagogue is one of the largest and most important Jews Synagogues in Cairo, Egypt. The Synagogue is famous for its Geniza found in the 19th century and contained a treasure of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Judeo-Arabic manuscripts. What is the function of the synagogue? The
The temple of Ramesses III at Karnak Luxor | Barque Chapel of Ramesses III The location of the temple of Ramesses III The temple of Ramesses III is located inside Karnak temple on Luxor east bank of the Nile River. Barque Chapel of Ramesses III was built in the large open court lying between the first unfinished Pylon of Nectanebo I (380-362 BC) and the second pylon of Horemheb (1323- 1295 BC). Who is Ramesses III? Ramesses III was the second Pharoah of the 20th dynasty of the new Kingdom of ancient Egyptian history. His father Pharoah Seth Nakht founded the dynasty and Ramesses III followed him. King Ramesses III is considered the last great Egyptian Pharoah king after Ramesses II and Thutmose III. Meanwhile, three of his sons will rule Egypt later under the names Ramses IV, Ramses VI, and Ramses VIII. He led numerous military campaigns to defend Egypt’s borders against the Sea People, the Syrians, and the Euphrates people. Pharoah Ramesses III built Habu temple, KV 11 in the Valley of the Kings, besides his addition to Karnak temple and Luxor temple. Why the temple of Ramesses III was built? Ramesses III built this small temple following the pattern of the Egyptian temples and at his temple, the second Pylon was the end of the temple. King Seti II built his triple Barque Shrines to the north of the second Pylon. So, Ramesses III built his shrines to the south of the second Pylon as a resting place for the holy barques of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Probably, he wanted to store the Barques in a place carrying his name as Taharqa will do the same after that when he built the Taharqa kiosk in the open court. Who was the triad of Luxor? The triad of
The temple of Ramesses III at Karnak Luxor | Barque Chapel of Ramesses III The location of the temple of Ramesses III The temple of Ramesses III is located inside Karnak temple on Luxor east bank of the Nile River. Barque Chapel of Ramesses III was built in the large open court lying between the
Al-Rifa'i Mosque in Cairo, Egypt | Plan, History, Facts About Al-Rifa'i Mosque The Mosque of Al-Rifa'i Location Al-Rifa'i Mosque is located in Salah al-Din Square in the historic district of Cairo, Egypt. The mosque faces Sultan Hasan Mosque and Madrasa. Actually, it is separated from the mosque of Sultan Hassan by a pedestrian street and it is very close to the Citadel. Who built Al-Rifa'i Mosque? Khoshyar Hanem, the mother of Khedive Ismail ordered the mosque to be built in 1869 to contain the tombs of the royal families of Egypt. When Al-Rifa'i Mosque was built? The construction of the Al-Rifai Mosque began in 1869, almost 500 years after the Sultan Hassan Mosque, which was established in 1359. Why Al Rifai mosque was built? Khoshyar Hanim made a vow because of her son Ismail’s illness and the debt crisis that Egypt was going through at the time, to build a mosque. It happened that the financial crisis passed in peace and her son Ismail recovered. The mosque was established in 1869 AD, but she died before it was completed in 1905 AD, then Khedive Abbas completed the construction in 1912 AD Why did the mosque call Al Rifai mosque? On the site of the Al-Rifa’i Mosque, there was a mosque called Zakhira Al-Mulk built in the Fatimid Era. Then turned into a (Zawia) for Sheikh Ali Abu Shabak, who is the grandson of Imam Al-Rifa’i. His grave is located in the mosque now, and from it, the mosque took its name. After the establishment of the mosque, the name was attributed to Sheikh Al-Sayyid Ahmed Al-Rifa’i, who is buried in Iraq. until the mother of Khedive Ismail Khoshyar Hanim ordered the mosque to be built. Meanwhile, we still do not know why she chooses that place for building the mosque.
Al-Rifa’i Mosque in Cairo, Egypt | Plan, History, Facts About Al-Rifa’i Mosque The Mosque of Al-Rifa’i Location Al-Rifa’i Mosque is located in Salah al-Din Square in the historic district of Cairo, Egypt. The mosque faces Sultan Hasan Mosque and Madrasa. Actually, it is separated from the mosque of Sultan Hassan by a pedestrian street and
Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque |History, Facts of the Tulunid Mosque I want to build a building where if Egypt burns, it will remain, and if it sinks, it will remain. So, it was said to him, must be built with lime, ash, and red bricks that are strong in the fire to the ceiling, and marble pillars are not made in it; It has no patience for fire. These were the words of Ahmed Ibn Tulun when he wanted to build his mosque and that was the advice he received from his assistants. Now we will give an idea about the builder Ahmed Ibn Tulun and we will explain the location of the Tulunid mosque and its layout and some facts about the mosque. Ahmed Ibn Tulun (868 to 883 A.D) Abbasid caliphates starting from Al Mutasim introduced non-Muslim Berber, Slav, and especially Turkish mercenary forces into his personal army. some of the new army officers quickly learned to control the caliphate. Ahmed Ibn Tulun was one of those Turkish slave soldiers. Later on, Ibn Tulun was sent to Egypt as a governor by the Abbasid Caliph al-Muatazz bi-ʾllāh (866 to 869 AD). Ahmed Ibn Tulun established the first independent state in Egypt during the Abbasid period (876-879 AD). Ibn Tulun started many economic and cultural reforms. He started by establishing a new administrative center, called al-Qata’i, where he built his mosque, currently known as the Ibn Tulun Mosque. al-Qata’i was to the northeast of the previous capital, al-Askar, and adjacent to the settlement of Fustat. The city of al-Qata’i’ flourished for over four decades, until it was seized and destroyed by the Abbasids in 905 A.D Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque location Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque is located in the Saliba area between Al-Rumaila Square in the north and Al-Sayeda
Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque |History, Facts of the Tulunid Mosque I want to build a building where if Egypt burns, it will remain, and if it sinks, it will remain. So, it was said to him, must be built with lime, ash, and red bricks that are strong in the fire to the ceiling, and
Al Azhar Mosque Cairo, Egypt | location, facts, history, establishment, restorations Al Azhar Mosque Cairo Egypt is the first mosque established in Cairo and the finest building of Cairo's Fatimid era, completed in AD 972. The mosque is a mix of the Fatimid, Mameluke, and Ottoman architectural features blended together in the majestic building. As the mosque-madrasa of Sultan Hassan, Ak Azhar is a mosque-madrasa complex and is one of the oldest universities in the world. Meanwhile, Al Azhar Mosque now is a unique mixture of styles and periods. For example, the qibla wall dates from the 14th century, Sultan Qaitbay added one of the minarets in 1475 and the main façade is from 1the 9th century, while the double-arched gate of the main façade belongs to the mid-18th century. Where is Al Azhar Mosque? Al Azhar Mosque is located in El Hussein Square, El Darb El Ahmar, Cairo Governorate, Egypt. When Al Azhar was built? Al Azhar Mosque dates back to the beginning of the Fatimid Dynasty in Egypt. As soon as they first established their state in Tunisia, North Africa, and in order to expand their state, they were in need of a new capital more central than Tunisia. Thus, the Fatimids conquered Egypt and built the city of al-Qahirah (Cairo) to be their new capital. Jawhar al-Siqilli was the most important and famous leader in Fatimid history, as he was the founder of the city of Cairo. He finished the palace for his Fatimid Caliph al-Muizz Li Din Allah then he started Al Azhar Mosque. Building the mosque started in April 970 AD and it ended in the month of Ramadan in the year 972 AD. Who built Al Azhar Mosque? Jawhar El-Siqilli, the army leader of al-Muizz Li Din Allah, the first Fatimid Caliph in Egypt
Al Azhar Mosque Cairo, Egypt | location, facts, history, establishment, restorations Al Azhar Mosque Cairo Egypt is the first mosque established in Cairo and the finest building of Cairo‘s Fatimid era, completed in AD 972. The mosque is a mix of the Fatimid, Mameluke, and Ottoman architectural features blended together in the majestic building. As
