By Manal Abdel Fattah
In an vibes full of notes of faith, the historical mosques in Egypt shine throughout the days of the blessed month of Ramadan, especially in the city of Cairo, which is famous as the city of a thousand minarets, and which has remained filled with the scent of ancient history since the entry of Islam into the land of Canaan.
The official Qatar News Agency (QNA) highlighted the spiritual vibes that prevails over Egypt’s historic mosques during the blessed month of Ramadan, saying that throughout the ages, historical mosques in Egypt have remained a witness to the Egyptians’ attachment to them, especially in the blessed month of Ramadan, in which hearts yearn for… These mosques are fragrant, whether in the Qur’an recitation sessions during the day or in Tarawih and Tahajjud prayers at night.
Among these historical mosques, the Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque stands out, which was founded by the great companion Amr Ibn Al-Aas in the year 20 AH – 641 AD after the conquest of Egypt. Since that date, it has remained among the most welcoming mosques for worshipers throughout the blessed month of Ramadan, in light of its important historical symbolism. ; Being the first mosque established in Egypt and Africa, it is located in the heart of the city of Fustat, the first Islamic capital of Egypt. It was also known as the Al-Fatah Mosque, the Old Mosque, and the Crown of Mosques. It was also a center of government and a nucleus for preaching the Islamic religion, along with other mosques that enjoyed prestige and attention. Among the Egyptians, such as the Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque, and the Al-Azhar Mosque, which was built by the leader Jawhar al-Siqilli in the era of the Fatimid state by order of al-Mu’izz Lidin Allah the Fatimid, as well as the mosques of Sayyida Zainab, Sayyida Nafisa, al-Rifai, Sultan Hassan, and al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun.
In this regard, Dr. Muhammad al-Kahlawi, head of the Arab Council of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists, told the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the Egyptians’ attachment to the universal mosques in the blessed month of Ramadan and their keenness to commemorate its blessed nights therein is due to their great appreciation for the role of these universal mosques or the mosques of the provinces. Such as the Amr bin Al-Aas Mosque, which has a special status because it was founded by the Companions or the Successors. These mosques were also known as the “Umariyya” mosques, named after Omar bin Al-Khattab, the author of Al-Fath, or the mosques of the people of the banner who were the companions of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace.
Al-Kahlawi points out that the Egyptians’ attachment to these ancient historical mosques is greatly embodied in the Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, which occupies a special place in the hearts of Egyptians in the blessed month of Ramadan, and witnesses a great turnout of worshipers throughout the ages, in keeping with what the Companions used to do, pointing out that the Egyptians They inherited this good habit from the Islamic conquest and the era of Islamic conquests.
In the same context, Dr. Ayman Fouad Sayed, professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the ancient historical mosques in Egypt, especially in the city of Cairo, have gained special importance among Egyptians, especially in the blessed month of Ramadan, and among the most prominent and oldest of them are Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, as this mosque played a prominent role in the cradle of Islamic history in Egypt, along with the Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque in the city of Al-Qata`i, the capital built by Ibn Tulun, which still retains its complete layout and buildings, in addition to the Al-Azhar Mosque, which was founded by the Fatimids under the name Cairo Mosque, before its name was later changed in the fifth century AH to Al-Azhar Mosque.
Dr. Ayman Fouad Sayed adds that the Egyptians’ attachment to these mosques began from the first eras of the Islamic conquest, where the Amr ibn al-Aas Mosque was the center of learning, before schools such as the Sultan Hassan School, the Al-Zahir Barquq School, and the Dome of Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn School were established in the Ayyubid and Mamluk eras. Qalawun, noting that these schools are located on Al-Mu’izz Lidin Allah Al-Fatimi Street in particular, where the role of providing knowledge was later transferred from the historical mosques to them.
For his part, Dr. Gomaa Abdel Maqsoud, professor of restoration of Islamic antiquities at the Faculty of Archeology, Cairo University, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the secret behind the Egyptians’ attachment to these mosques in the holy month of Ramadan is due to their historical value, in addition to their embrace during the holy month of preachers and imams carrying Distinctive sounds in the readings of the Holy Qur’an, which increases Egyptians’ eagerness to perform their prayers with it, especially Tarawih and Tahajjud prayers, with which these mosques shine throughout the days of the blessed month of Ramadan.
Abdel Maqsoud adds that the spiritual atmosphere that worshipers feel in these historical mosques is due to their important roles in establishing the pillars of this religion, since the establishment of the Amr ibn al-Aas Mosque as the first mosque built with the Islamic conquest of Egypt, and the importance of this mosque and other historical mosques does not cease to exist. Performing prayers. Rather, their historical, architectural and artistic value represents an important attraction for visitors from all over the Islamic world throughout the year.
Similar to the Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, Dr. Gomaa Abdel Maqsoud points out that Al-Azhar Mosque enjoys a special status among Egyptians in the holy month of Ramadan, due to its ancient role and spirituality that goes deep into history. Because it is a university and a university, it had a clear impact on the lives of Egyptians and their identity, as well as in terms of education, and the science circles and scientific lessons that were and still are taught in it.
In addition to this important role of historical mosques in Egypt in spreading knowledge, Dr. Muhammad Wardani, professor of media at Al-Azhar University, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the role of mosques in Egypt in the holy month of Ramadan extends to rituals and spiritual atmospheres characterized by familiarity and affection, among which are – For example – Al-Azhar Mosque hosts iftar for thousands of fasting people every day, especially international students, in addition to their enjoyment of listening to the Holy Qur’an and the smells of knowledge lessons that waft through its corridors throughout the day.
Dr. Muhammad Wardani adds that the corridors of mosques in Egypt inspired a similar spiritual atmosphere in the holy month of Ramadan from the Al-Azhar Mosque and the ancient historical mosques, and also included Holy Qur’an competitions, especially among children. With the aim of promoting the idea of setting a good example, following the paths of the righteous, and learning about the sciences of the Qur’an and its interpretation, so that this holy month will be an opportunity for the fragrant spirit of faith to be renewed every year.
In light of these renewed spirits of faith in the holy month of Ramadan, the role of historical mosques in Egypt lies as a shining beacon throughout the ages to spread religion and preserve identity, since the founding of the Amr ibn al-Aas Mosque in the heart of Fustat, the first Islamic capital of Egypt, all the way to Cairo, “the city of a thousand.” Minaret”, from the heart of whose mosques the jurisprudence of this religion with its various sects spread throughout the Islamic world, where the walls of these mosques still bear witness to the biography of their venerable scholars who filled the earth with knowledge in various places.
