HISTORY INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT - CONNIE JONG CHE 21WVR03127 (1)

AL-AZHAR MOSQUE BVID1012 History of Architecture
Student ID: 21WVR03127
Fatimid Architecture

CONTENT

Introduction
History of Al-Azhar Mosque
Site Plan, Plan, Section, Elevation
Materials and Construction
- Building Details
Architectural Collage Timeline
Cultural, Social, Political
Other Contributing Factors
Conclusion
References.

The Resplendent Congregational Mosque is known as al-Azhar in Egypt. It INTRODUCTION
is an Egyptian mosque in Islamic Cairo.

In 970 ad, Jawhar built the al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, Egypt. The Fatimid
Dynasty's Caliph Al-Mu'izz ordered the construction of this mosque for the
newly founded capital city. Its name is supposed to be a reference to
Fatimah al-Zahraa, the prophet Muhammad's daughter. Fatimah was a
respected figure in Islam who was known as the "shining one," and the al-
Azhar Mosque was known as "The Splendid." It was the first mosque built in
Cairo, which has earned the title "City of a Thousand Minarets" since then.
Al-Azhar mosque was seen as a safe haven and a site for civil
disobedience.

In 972, it was dedicated with the hiring of 35 scholars by mosque
authorities.

By 988, the mosque industrialized into the second university in the world.

Al-Azhar mosque is located at the heart of Islamic Cairo, the EI Hussein
Square which is the most blooming location. The mosque is designed by the
Fatimid general Jawhar EL-Sequili and are built on the orders of Caliph
Muezz Li-Din Allah.

There are five minarets with balconies and intricately carved column. The
mosque has six entrance. The main entrance is the Barber’s Gate that being
in the 18th Century Bab el-Muzaiyini. Then leads into a small courtyard and
then a library at the left.

HISTORY OF AL-AZHAR MOSQUE

970 AD – 988AD Mamluke Era

In 970, the first mosque to recognized in the city of Cairo and the oldest Fatimid It was one of the brightest and best times
monument existing in Egypt. They named the mosque Al-Azhar after the name of the of Al-Azhar witnessed. The rulers
daughter of Prophet Muhammad out of respect. competed with the students in their service
By 972, it was dedicated with the hiring of 35 scholars by mosque authorities. of al-Azhar to expand it, care about it
Then 988, al-Azhar mosque developed into the second university in the world. and add the architectural structure.

The Ottoman Era French Campaign against Egypt 1805 to 1952

However, The Sultans of the Ottoman family despite the Al-Azhar has became the centre of Mohamed Ali Pasha appointed
resistance of them and supported the Mamlukes during the resistance. When the Mosque’s sanctity himself as the ruler of Egypt
war against but they still show the great respect for al- was violated, they suffered from the after the withdrawal of French.
Azhar mosque. Then, the mosque has became the favorite agonies of war against it. The last one was King Farouk on
place for the public. It also became the center of the the wake of 1952 Revolution.
scholars of Egypt.

1961 Now

Al-Azhar University was officially announced and lots Al-Azhar, with its towering minarets defying time and
of new colleges were established in accordance with academics' heads yearning for the sky, is still standing today.
the law of the same year. It never gave in to an aggressor or bowed to a pompous ruler,
always proclaiming and calling to the truth as long as its walls
and minarets stood.

PLAN, ELEVATION, SECTION

Site Plan

PLAN

SECTIONAL VIEW

ELEVATION

1.

BUILDING DETAILS

Material & Constructions 2.

1. Main entrance – Bab al-Muzayinin which is known as the
Gate of the Barbers that include a double-arched portal construct
out of the stone with recessed arches around the two doors and the
panels uses the decoration of floral and vegetal patterns.

2. A rectangle, white marble courtyard – Include three arcades
around the courtyard

3. Minarets of Qaytbay - It has a square base that leads into an
octagonal shaft,10-sided polygon shaft and a cylindrical shaft. It
also has three balconies with decoration of muqarnas.

3.

4.

4. Minaret of Al-Ghuri – A keel arch
with four sided that is octagonal at the
first shaft. Second shaft is separated
from the first by a freted balcony
supported with muqarnas which is also
octagonal and decorated with blue
faience.
The third level is separated with the
balcony.
The third level is made with two
rectangle shafts with horseshoe arches on
each side of both shafts.

5. Minaret of Aqbaghawiyya –

Constructed during the mamluk rule as a

part of stand-alone mosque. 5.

7.

6. Stucco Inscriptions – A exclusive aspect of
the mosque as it does not have mosaics and has
limited decorations.
7. Prayer hall – A hypostyle hall which has roof
that supported by columns. Include five aisles
with arcades of marble column arches.

6.

8. Mihrab - A semi-dome with marble columns on both 9.
sides.
9. Dome - Covered in an arabesque design with floral and
vegetal patterns.

8.

ARCHITECTURAL COLLAGE TIMELINE

12th Century : 1131-1149 – Calliph al-Hafiz 11-Din Allah commissions keel-shaped arches and arcades.
1171- Al-Azhar loses significance under reign of Saladin, in the under reign of Saladdin

13th Century : Al-Azhar is restored by the Mamluks.
14th Century : 1303 – Earthquake and rebuild.

1339 – Build of minaret and dome of the Madrasa al-Aqbaghawiyya.

15th Century : 1495 – Minaret of Qaytbay.
16th Century : 1509 – Add double finial minaret of Qansuh al-Ghuri.

1517 – Al-Azhar loses importance under Sultan Selim I.
1588 – Al-Azhar becomes 5th holiest Muslim site.

18th Century : Rebuilding of doubled size, added dorms, minarets, gateways, and his own tomb.
19th Century : The mosque-college is reformed into modern institution.
20th Century : Al-Azhar has recognized as a university.

CULTURAL, SOCIAL, POLITICAL

Cultural

In the early, the construction of the al-Azhar mosque was ordered by Caliph al-
Mu’izz to serve as a basis for the development of Ismaili Shi’a Islam. Therefore,
the mosque has used to establish their power and control in the Islamic world. Al-
Azhar mosque has became a centre of learning in the Islamic world and became
the leading place for Ismaili teaching. The school show how the Fatimid Dynasty
used architecture to establish their power in the Islamic world.

Social

Comparing with other mosques, Al-Azhar Mosque was situated at the center
with the most attractive Islamic monuments. The building has an ablong
courtyard surrounded by a reused ancient columns and supporting arcades in
stuccoed bricks which can attract people that likes historical buildings. The al-
Azhar university is located next to the al-Azhar mosque that was built
together by Jawhar. Therefore, the mosque can attract a lot of tourist’s to visit
the mosque and their city.

Political

Even though it was not given any role in the legislative process, al-Azhar was pleased
with important powers over the public teaching of Islam in Egypt and in the 2014
constitutional amendments that came to strengthen the combination that ousted
previous President Mohamed Morsi from office.

OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Compared to others, al-Azhar Mosque is one of the oldest and most significant
mosques in the Arab world. It is considered a source for enlightenment and the largest
religious institution in the entire Islamic world. Therefore, it will attract many tourist to
visit to the mosque. In addition, because of his impressive size, special design, and
importance for Ismaili teachings will attract those people.

CONCLUSION

The al-Azhar Mosque is an formation of power
primarily because al-Azhar was to serve for the
spreading of Ismaili Shia Islam. Even after the
collapse of the Fatimid Dynasty, al-Azhar had became
a manifestation of power because of the significant
role in the Islamic world.

REFERENCES

Anon., 2016. Al-Azhar Mosque. [Online]
Available at: https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/101111/Al-Azhar-Mosque?lang=en-us
[Accessed 04 August 2021].

Marie, M., 2021. History of Egypt’s Al-Azhar Mosque. [Online]
Available at: https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/102590/History-of-Egypt%E2%80%99s-Al-Azhar-
Mosque
[Accessed 04 August 2021].

Pappalardo, A., 2019. Al-Azhar Mosque. [Online]
Available at: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3425504a88a240a5849d83dad669a736
[Accessed 4 August 2021].

FSTC, 2004. Architecture of Al-Azhar. [Online]
Available at: https://muslimheritage.com/architecture-al-azhar/
[Accessed 4 August 2021].