Mosque of Qijmas Ishaqi a.k.a Abu Hariba Mosque

The building complex was established by Prince Qajmas al-Ishaqi, one of the Mamluks during the rule of Sultan Qaitbay. Its alternative name, Abu Hariba, is inspired from Sheikh Abu Heriba who was known as a wali and was buried under the dome of the mosque in 1852. This mosque is distinguishable from other mosques in Al-Darb al-Ahmar because of the large number of shops for rent in the basement to fund the maintenance cost of the building. Also notable is that the mosque is featured on the 50 Egyptian pounds banknotes.

The pointed arch and the stained-glass windows

Architecture

The facade overlooking the Al-Darb al-Ahmar Street contains a mausoleum, an iwan, a sabil and a dome. It was designed in a way to adapt to the urban shape and the road. The sabil is connected to the mosque by a raised passage over the street. This passage considers one of the unique examples of Mamluk architecture in Cairo. The interior architectural design presents a hall in the middle with four iwans surrounding it, with a mihrab adorned with marbles southeast of the qibla. On the mihrab is inscribed the name of Abdul Kadir Al Naqash( the man who manufactured it). There is also a wooden mimbar decorated with star plates and ivory.

The ceiling of the hall of the mosque

1050
people are checking in Mosque of Qijmas Ishaqi a.k.a Abu Hariba Mosque

The mosque was restored by the “Comité de Conservation de l’Art Arabe” in 1312 AH / 1894 AD and restored again in 1982. Since this time, the mosque is exposed to severe deterioration due to neglect and lack of maintenance and requires urgent restoration.

Marble niche

Restoration

Qibla's Iwan

Location:Cairo, Egypt
Coordinates:30.0414302°N 31.257432°E
Built:Est. 884 AH / 1479 AD.
Governing body:Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Architectural Type:mosque.
Architectural style:Mamluk

an inscribtion band on the top of the mosque's hall

Gilded foundation texts

The ceiling of one of the mosque’s iwans

Aslam al-Silahdar Mosque

Aslam al-Silahdar Mosque is not only important for its central location in a historic neighborhood but is also known for its significant legacy of Cairo’s medieval past. It was built in 1344 AD by Baha’ al-Din Aslam - a Mamluk prince with an important political and social standing in the Mamluk royal court who took the rank of a Silahdar (the one responsible for the arms and weapons). The mosque was part of a complex that included horse stables, tenement housing and a private home. The mosque is the only part of the complex, which is still standing now.