Poppy dreams : Egypt

While walking in this magical place, I felt the hot atmosphere, but as if the time stood still…and I was suddenly in another world. It was amazing view, so tall walls with color of clay and sand, a huge historical monument. So impressive minarets, and art on the arcs and walls. It was obviously reconstructed, but seems the work still continued. Moving between all place, the courtyard, the walls, the passages under arcs with nice lanterns — فانوس. The feeling is amazing, that you are separated from the outside world, and captivated in another reality, without limits. No people were there and little sounds came from outside…There was a view to “Al A`la” the great mosque.

Before I reached to this amazing place, followed by group of children I made a photo of them…They look so funny, as they were excited to see foreigner in this place.

{Egypt} 3

Ramadan approaches, full of sun and noises
Of the street, crowds in white long garments
Going to the mosque for early morning prayer
All around is silent before the first fajr call,
Colorful flags are waving on the wind, from both
Sides of narrow streets. I feel as if my soul
Is flying with their moves, I feel the peace
And happiness, excitement of the noon…
I see in nights the first slice of growing moon.

My favorite is melody of adhan, which brings
me back in times, so long ago, when I was child,
the voices of the prayers come along – and gather
high in the sky together in one gorgeous tone
with holly sound : Allaaahu Akbar, Allaaahu Akbar,
ashhadu ana la illaha il allah …

Ibn Tulun mosque is believed to be the oldest mosque in Cairo. It was completely build in 879. The person, who commissioned by the governor of Egypt in this time – Ahmad ibn Tulun. The masjid was constructed on a small hill, called “Gebel Yashkur” (The Hill of thanksgiving). One legend say that here is the original place, where Noah`s arc came to rest, instead of Mount Ararat.

Style: The mosque was constructed in Samarran style, common with Abbasid constructions. It is build around a courtyard, with one covered hall in each of the four sides. The original mosque had its ablution fountain (sabil) between the inner and outer walls. The mosque was restored several times, most recently in 2004 by the Egyptian Supreme Council of antiquities.

History :Ahmad Ibn Tulun built this mosque from 870 to 879 AD in order to accommodate all of his troops. It was the third congregational mosque to be built in the Cairo area and the oldest mosque in Egypt that has survived mostly in its original form.

Ibn Tulun was the son of a Turkish slave of Mongol origins owned by the Abbasid Caliph al-Ma’mun. From these humble origins he rose to great power, founding the Tulunid Dynasty (868-905 AD) of Egypt.

After becoming the ruler of Egypt, Ibn Tulun founded a new city called al-Qata’i on a rocky outcrop, clearing a Christian and Jewish cemetery in order to do so. Many biblical legends were attached to this hill: it was said to be the landing site of Noah’s Ark, the place where Moses had confronted Pharaoh’s magicians, and near the place where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac.

When the Abbasids regained power in 905, Ibn Tulun’s city was razed, but the great mosque at its center was spared. But as the city center shifted away from the rock, the mosque fell into neglect. In the 12th century it was used as a shelter by pilgrims, which caused some damaged.

Ibn Tulun Mosque

Bastet statues