Look beyond the pyramids and pharaohs and discover the serenity of Islamic Cairo and its detailed civilized history.
We will visit various significant mosques including Al Rafi’e Mosque which was completed in 1912. It was commissioned, in an imitation Mamluk style by the mother of Khedive Ismail to serve as a grandiose tomb for herself and her descendants. Royals buried here include Ismail, Farouk (Egypt’s last king), and the last Shah of Iran. Chased out by Ayatollah Khomeini, he sought refuge in Egypt in 1979. When he died the next year, his casket was paraded through Cairo with Egypt’s President Sadat and former President Richard Nixon leading the cortege.
Facing Refai Mosque Sultan Hassan Mosque is regarded as one of the major monuments of the Islamic world. Hassan became Sultan in 1347, the construction of the mosque started in 1353 and nearly bankrupted the state. It continued for seven years and when completed served as a mosque and madrasa (Islamic school). This building provided lodging for 500 students and professors, calligraphers, prayer-callers and Quran readers who supported the students.
We will then visit the Mosque of Ibn Tulun. It is arguably the oldest mosque in the city surviving in its original form, and is the largest mosque in Cairo in terms of land area.The mosque was constructed in the Samarran style common with Abbasid constructions. The original mosque had its ablution fountain (sabil) in the area between the inner and outer walls. A distinctive sabil with a high drum dome was added in the central courtyard at the end of the thirteenth century by Sultan Lajin.
After this significant trip, we will enjoy our lunch at a lovely typical Egyptian restaurant serving the famous Egyptian dish ‘ Koushary’ before we enjoy visiting one of the most amazing streets in Islamic Cairo.
