First of all, Happy new Hijri year 1442 to all Muslims around the globe.
I hope that year 1442 would better inshallah for the whole world.
On this occasion, I would like to share with you couple of photos I took while visiting the Prince Mohamed Ali Palace or rather an estate or El-Manial Palace as commonly known last August with a group of friends in Cairo.
Built from 1899 to 1929, El-Manial Palace was designed by Prince Mohamed Ali Tawfik “1875-1955”, King Farouk’s Uncle and it is considered one of the best-preserved remaining palaces form the Mohamed Ali Royal Family era.
The Prince Mohamed Ali Palace or rather estate is so big and a good many interesting attractions. Interestingly, this huge piece of land was originally owned by Prince Mohamed Ali Tawfik's great Uncle Prince Fadel.
Prince Fadel had a mosque named after him in El-Sayida Zeinab.
 |
| Prince Mohamed Ali Tawfik's Mosque in his Cairo estate |
This time the photos are the for the Prince Palace’s Mosque and its clock tower.
The younger brother of Khedive Abbas Helmi II built a mosque in his estate and it is a very beautiful small mosque. Prince Mohamed Ali Tawfik and his staff in his estate used to pray in that mosque
The Mosque's exterior was designed according to the Moorish-Anduslaian style. |
| The entrance of the mosque with Quran verses inscribed on the walls |
 |
| The entrance of the Mosque and the Clock Tower |
This is how it looks from inside.
 |
| A guide explaining to Egyptian visitors the history of Prince Mohamed Ali estate |
The mosque's interior is heavily influenced by the Ottoman style in Turkey.
Prince Mohamed Ali Tawfik brought builders from Morocco, Syria and Turkey to construct for him the buildings in his estate aside from the Egyptian contractor, Master Mohamed Afify.
 |
| The Quranic verses from Surah Fath, the Adhan and Ottoman calligraphy paintings |
You can see inside the mosque's first hall, Quran verses from Surah El-Fath and below it the call of the Adhan as well as paintings of Islamic ottoman calligraphy praising the Almighty "SWT" in Arabic.
The walls were all covered by that ottoman style blue "ceramic" blue titles
Standing outside the Mosque and snapping photos in the sun while it was dark was not the best experience.
 |
| From inside the mosque |
I could not get in because I was wearing a T-shirt with no veil plus it was fully packed with visitors who arrived on a tour organized by the Facebook group to encourage local tourism.
 |
| Outside the Mosque |
It was refreshing to see this huge group of Egyptians from different classes, background and ages coming together to know more about the history of their country.
A lot can be said about Prince Mohamed Ali Tawfik.
Aside from that some described him as eccentric who hoped to be the King of Egypt one day “he did”, the man was truly sophisticated and was fond of the Islamic Arabic civilization and architecture.
 |
| The inauguration plate of Prince Mohamed Ali Mosque inside his estate in Cairo |
I do not about his real character but reading the inauguration Plate of the Mosque showed a religious aspect in his character.
This Mosque was built by Prince Mohamed Ali, the Son of Khedive Mohamed Tawfik Pasha to thank Allah for “SWT” successive blessings and generosity like the great princes who mosques and temples besides their palaces as he “the Prince” had seen in his travels all over the world. The Prince himself put all the designs and drawings to reflect his faith and beliefs in his Generous God. He thanks Allah that he finished it and he hopes that Allah is satisfies for he presented him. Please , Allah accept this from your faithful slave , Amen.
Interestingly, he was also Grand Master of Egypt’s Masonic Lodge in 1924.
I know some will attack this point and attack the old man but one must hint out it was the fashion of that age in Egypt to be a member of a masonic lodge if you are from the crème de la crème of the society.
 |
| Mohamed Ali Tawfik, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Egypt |
The Clock Tower
It is not every day to find a clock tower in a palace or an estate or even in Cairo. They can be counted on hands.  |
| The clock tower |
Before arriving at the Mosque, you will pass with a Clock Tower built according to the Moorish-Andalusian too.
 |
| The clock tower from outside |
It was not working when I was there from a year ago.
 |
| The door of the Clock tower |
The door of this clock tower was closed then. There are also "Quranic inscriptions" on the building
The twin of this clock was built in Cairo Railways station by Khedive Abbas Helmi II, Mohamed Ali’s brother.
This is between the Clock Tower and the Mosque.
 |
| This was a fountain that used to use work one day |
As you can see the Moorish-Andalusian architecture style in this part of the estate and it makes you feel you are in Granada or Al-Rabat while you are in a Cairo island in the Nile.
 |
| Outside Egypt's Prince Mohamed Ali Mosque in his estate in Cairo |
It was a quick visit and honestly, this palace needs another visit.
This location can be used for shooting historical films or dramas I believe.
 |
| One more shoot |
By the way, for some unknown reason, they do not allow shooting video except after a permit of the ministry of tourism and antiquities !!
 |
| A staircase |
It is one of Egypt’s hidden gems as well as best palaces when it comes to Islamic Arabian architecture. It is a must-visit place in Cairo and you will know why in other posts.
This is just the tip of the icebergs, I have not uploaded or shared yet the marvels of this estate, which is actually a fresh breeze in the concrete jungle of Cairo.
Happy New 1442 Hijri year folks :)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank You for your comment
Please keep it civilized here, racist and hateful comments are not accepted
The Comments in this blog with exclusion of the blog's owner does not represent the views of the blog's owner.