Al-Hussein Mosque

　　As one of Egypt's most sacred temples, the Al-Hussein Mosque is located adjacent to the famous Khan El Khalili bazaar in Cairo, and during the foundation excavation in 1900, the site of a Fatimid Caliph tomb was discovered underground. It serves as a revered sanctuary where dignitaries and even the President of Egypt come to pray on special occasions.

　　In 680 AD, during the war against the Umayyad Dynasty, Hussein was killed in Karbala, Iraq. He was the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the second son of Ali, the leader of the Shiites. In 1153, his skull was brought to the capital of the Fatimid Dynasty, Cairo (the rest of his body remained in Iraq), and it is enshrined in this ancient mosque.

　　In addition to housing sacred relics, the Al-Hussein Mosque also contains renowned handwritten copies of the Quran by Ottoman and Ali. In fact, the Al-Hussein Mosque was an ancient center for Islamic jurisprudence research and is famed for its Islamic legal lecture halls.

　　The current Al-Hussein Mosque was rebuilt in the 19th century, and its ceremonies are among the grandest in Egypt. Every Friday prayer, the mosque is invariably packed with Muslims coming to worship, creating a majestic and awe-inspiring scene. On this day, the nearby famous Khan El Khalili market and even the entire city of Cairo temporarily quiet down—the usual hustle and bustle disappear, many shops close, and devout Muslims flock to the mosque to recite the beautiful Quran and listen to impassioned sermons by the imam.

　　Al-Hussein Mosque Reason to visit: One of Egypt's most sacred temples Continent: Africa Country/Region: Egypt Province/State: Cairo Governorate City: Cairo