Al-Hakim Mosque is in the spotlight as the Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to visit it during his inaugural trip to Egypt. The mosque, dating back to the 11th Century, has been meticulously restored with the assistance of the Dawoodi Bohra community.
Key Points:
- This historical mosque is situated in Cairo, Egypt, and is named after the sixth Fatimid caliph, Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (985–1021 AD).
- Originally constructed by the Fatimid vizier Gawhar Al-Siqilli, it became part of the extended fortifications built by Badr al-Jamali in the late 11th century AD.
- The mosque holds the distinction of being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
Architecture:
- Al-Hakim Mosque is primarily made of brick with stone facades and minarets.
- Its design features a triangular plan, centered around a courtyard with four arcades. Two minarets flank either side of the façade.
- Initially located outside Cairo’s northern wall, the mosque was later integrated into the city in 1087, with its northern wall and minarets becoming integral parts of the fortifications.
- The main entrance, found on the western facade, is grand and monumental in size and design, serving as one of the earliest examples of projecting entrances.
About Dawoodi Bohra community:
- The Dawoodi Bohra community is a sect within Shia Islam, well-known for their expertise in trading and business.
- India is home to approximately 500,000 Bohras, and they are also dispersed across various regions worldwide.
- Significant populations of Dawoodi Bohras can be found in India, Yemen, Pakistan, and East Africa.
- The community reveres the Quran as the divine word of Allah, revealed to Prophet Mohammed al-Mustafa, and they center their lives around its teachings.
- Guided by their leader known as the al-dai al-mutlaq (unrestricted missionary), the Dawoodi Bohras have been under his guidance for the past 450 years, with the leadership initially based in Yemen and later moving to India.
