Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas Mosque Alexandria, tours, Booking
Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas Mosque is the most historic and most beautiful mosque in Alexandria, Egypt. In fact, Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas Mosque built primarily in 1775. Moreover, it built over the tomb of a Spanish scholar and saint. Furthermore, it stands on Mosque Square overlooking the eastern harbor. In fact, Abu Al Abbas (whose full name is much longer) born to a wealthy family. It was in the Andalusia region of Spain in 1219. Furthermore, in the wake of increasing Christian control of Spain, he and his family left for Tunisia in 1242. Moreover, he later went on to Alexandria, a popular destination of many Muslim scholars at the time.
In fact, Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas lived in Alexandria for 43 years. He lived as a scholar and teacher until his death in 1286. Moreover, he buried in a small building near the eastern harbor in Alexandria. In 1307, El Sheikh Zein El Din, one of the richest traders of Alexandria, visited the tomb. He funded a mausoleum and dome for the tomb, along with a small mosque. The tomb of Abu Al Abbas indeed became a place of pilgrimage for many Muslims from Egypt and Morocco. They are who passed through Alexandria on their way to and from Mecca.
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In fact, Abu Al Abbas Mosque periodically restored over the centuries. It was by rulers who built themselves tombs next to the saint. Moreover, most of the present structure dates back to 1775. It was when the Algerian Sheikh Abu el Hassan El Maghreby built a much larger mosque on the site. Moreover, Abu Al Abbas Mosque renovated in 1863. Furthermore, an annual festival established to celebrate the birth of Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas. The mosque again beautified in 1943. In fact, it was under King Farouq I (1937-1952). The king built the Midan el Masged, or “Mosque Square”.
In fact, the square covers some 43,200 square meters. Moreover, it includes five other mosques centered around Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas Mosque. In fact, the mosque renovated in the Arabian style. The style was popular when the saint came to Alexandria in the 13th century. In fact, the total cost of about 140,000 LE. The cream-colored of the mosque stands 23 m high. It dressed in artificial stone, with a minaret on the southern side rising to 73 m. Situated near the shore of the eastern harbor, the mosque and its neighbors. In fact, they clearly seen from the sea. The minaret has an Ayoubids design, with four sections of different shapes. The mosque has an entrance on the north and one on the east, both of which overlook the square.
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The main part of Abu Al Abbas mosque is an octagon. with internal walls. They dressed in artificial stone except for a 5.6 m-high mosaic. The high ceiling decorated with arabesque. It contains a great octagonal skylight known as a Shokhsheikha. Each side of the skylight has three windows of colored glass in arabesque designs. They set into aluminum frames. This skylight surrounded by four domes, placed over the four mausoleums within the complex.
The floors of Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas mosque paved in white marble. The doors, minbar and windows made of joined and finely carved teak, citronia and walnut. The minbar (pulpit) capped by a dome and has verses from the Qur’an written at the top in French gold. The mihrab is niche indicating the direction of Mecca. In fact, it stands at the base of the mosque’s minaret. It flanked by the creed “There is no god except Allah and Mohammad is the prophet of Allah”. Furthermore, it written in Arabic script. Also on other side of the mihrab are two columns of Egyptian granite. They are with the name of Muhammad which written in Kufic Arabic calligraphy at each end.
