The Al-Rifai Mosque in Cairo: A Masterpiece of Architecture and History
The Al-Rifai Mosque, named after Imam Ahmed Al-Rifai, is one of the most famous and largest mosques of the 20th century. It is located at Salah al-Din Citadel Square in Cairo, directly opposite the Sultan Hassan Mosque.
Construction of the mosque began in 1869 AD under the supervision of engineer Hussein Pasha Fahmy and was completed in 1911 AD. Due to periods of inactivity, the construction took over 40 years.
Unique Architectural Design
The mosque was built on the site of a former Fatimid mosque known as the “King’s Treasury.” Later, it was converted into a shrine for Sheikh Ali Abu Shabak. Khushiar Hanim, mother of Khedive Ismail, purchased the surrounding plots to build the new mosque. Materials for construction, including Italian marble, were imported from Europe. The Al-Rifai Mosque stands out with its distinctive architectural design and exquisite details.
Interior Architecture and Decoration
The mosque is rectangular, covering an area of 6,500 square meters, with 1,767 square meters reserved for prayer. The remaining space is dedicated to the royal tombs of Muhammad Ali’s family. The mosque’s main entrance is on the western side, welcoming visitors, while the Qibla mihrab is located in the center of the east wall. This mihrab is clad in colored marble and supported by four marble columns. Next to the mihrab is a magnificent wooden pulpit inlaid with ivory and ebony. On the other side of the mihrab stands the muezzin’s platform, made from luxurious white marble resting on elegant columns. A richly decorated chair for the Holy Quran, dating back to 1911, completes the impressive interior. The walls are adorned with gilded incense holders, hanging lanterns, and Islamic glass lamps.
The Royal Tombs of the Alawite Dynasty
In the northern part of the mosque, there are six doors, four of which lead to the burial chambers of the Alawite dynasty. The first chamber on the east side contains the tombs of the sons of Khedive Ismail: Wahida Hanem (died 1858), Zainab Hanem (died 1875), Ali Jamal al-Din (died 1893), and Ibrahim Hilmi (died 1926). Above this chamber is a dome decorated with Quranic verses. A second dome houses the tombs of Khushiar Hanim and Khedive Ismail. The third dome contains the tombs of Ismail’s wives: Shahrat Faza Hanim (died 1895), Jananyar Hanim (died 1912), and Jashem Afat Hanim (died 1907). Connected to this dome is a room containing the tomb of Sultan Hussein Kamel, who ruled Egypt from 1914 until his death in 1917.
Other Notable Tombs
A separate marble hall to the right of the royal entrance houses the tomb of the Shah of Iran, Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, as well as the tomb of King Fouad I, who lived from 1868 to 1936. The walls of this hall are intricately decorated, adding to the mosque’s majestic atmosphere.