Al-Husayn's shrine
Among Egypt's holiest mosques.
Mohammed Ali Moussa — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bermawy777 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ashashyou — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ahmeed Tiger — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bermawy777 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China — CC0
One of the holiest and best-loved mosques in Egypt, on al-Hussein Square at the heart of Fatimid Cairo, beside Khan el-Khalili and opposite al-Azhar Mosque. It holds a shrine where many believe the head of Imam al-Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet, peace be upon him, was brought in the Fatimid era in the twelfth century. The mosque was rebuilt under Khedive Ismail in 1874 in a Gothic-Ottoman style, with a red stone facade, slender minarets and ornate gates, and inside are marble columns, carved ceilings and the shrine's dome adorned with brass and silver. Huge umbrellas that open by day shade its forecourt. The mosque is thronged with worshippers and visitors, especially on Fridays and on Ramadan nights, when the square around it becomes a lit-up festive space until the pre-dawn meal, and on the anniversary of al-Husayn's birth. Entry is free outside prayer times, in modest dress with a head covering for women, and women have their own entrance to the shrine. It is a few steps from Khan el-Khalili, al-Azhar and al-Muizz Street.
Among Egypt's holiest mosques.
A lit square until dawn.
Al-Azhar, the Khan, al-Muizz.
Al-Hussein Square, beside Khan el-Khalili and opposite al-Azhar
Khan el-KhaliliCairo's great bazaar since the fourteenth century, and still a working market ra1 minute walk4.3
Al-Azhar MosqueThe oldest working university in the world and one of the oldest mosques in Egyp2 minutes walk4.7
Wikala of al-GhuriA Mamluk merchants' inn built by Sultan Qansuh al-Ghuri in 1504 and 1505, counte4 minutes walk
Al-Muizz StreetA single street said to hold the greatest concentration of Islamic architecture 5 minutes walk4.5
Bayt al-SuhaymiA complete Ottoman house in an alley off Al-Muizz Street, and the best place in 6 minutes walk4.7On Ramadan nights, when the square fills with people, lights and festive spirit, crowds included, or on an ordinary weekday morning for calm.