The Al Hussein mosque is one of Egypt’s most beautiful sacred Islamic structures, dedicated to Al-Hussein, the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson. It is well-known for having the earliest complete manuscript of the Holy Quran.
Because Al-Hussain mosque is located in a very prominent location near Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, it attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world. It is a work of art that protects the head of Hussien, who was assassinated by the Umayyads in Iraq in 680. Despite the claims of Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law, “The Father of Hussein,” the Umayyads were acknowledged to be Muhammad’s successors.
The fight for the caliphate between those generations generated several schisms within Islam. The majority of Sunni Muslims in the world did not acknowledge the Umayyad Caliphate, and they prevented anybody from approaching Ali’s dynasty. The “Shia” Partisans of Ali refused to recognize any leader unless he was a descendent of Ali, and they finally saw Al Hussein as a martyr. The majority of Muslims in Egypt now are Sunni, and Al Hussein is revered alongside Prophet Muhammad’s granddaughter, Saiyda Zeinab, as a beloved saint.
Apart from the design and scale of Al Hussein mosque, the two massive umbrellas that are put there to shield Muslims who are worshipping outside the mosque during the hot summer and also to protect Muslims during the winter from heavy rainfall are among the most intriguing things to see. They are controlled electronically and feature a design similar to those seen in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
There are a plethora of other mosques and Islamic sites to visit while in Egypt’s capital, Cairo, and you’ll need at least a full day to cover the majority of the amazing historical, cultural, and religious sites that were left there to hear the tale of Egypt’s culture and ancient history, so make sure not to miss any of them on your Cairo day trips.
