Ibrahim El Desouki Mosque

31°07′43″N 30°38′47″E / 31.12849°N 30.64630°E / 31.12849; 30.64630ArchitectureTypeMosque

The Sidi Ibrahim El Desouki Mosque, (Arabic: مسجد سيدي إبراهيم الدسوقي) is a mosque and shrine complex in Desouk, Egypt. The name of this mosque is derived from the Sufi mystic and Ash'ari scholar Ibrahim al-Dasuqi, who is buried in the shrine of the building alongside his brother, Sharaf al-Din Musa. The mosque is also one of the oldest mosques in Egypt, being built during the Mamluk era.^[1]

History

The original structure dates back to the Mamluk era, and it was originally a small mosque that included a khanqah for Ibrahim al-Dasuqi, which was built next to it on the orders of Sultan Qalawun. When Al-Dasuqi died, he was buried in the khanqah,^[2] and later on, his brother Sharaf al-Din was buried next to him. During the reign of Sultan Qaytbay, the mosque was expanded while the khanqah was demolished and turned into a new shrine for the Sufis.^[2]

During the reign of Tewfik Pasha as Khedive, the mosque was restored and it was almost entirely rebuilt.^[2] In 2018, the mosque was renovated by the Arab Contractors, an Egyptian regional construction contract company.^[3]

Architecture

The mosque is divided into two wings, which are gender segregated; a wing for men, and a wing for women. The mosque has two buildings on an area of 600 square metres, which is separated by the shrine building containing the tomb of Ibrahim al-Dasuqi and his brother Sharaf al-Din Musa.^[3] The mosque has four minarets and one large dome. There are eleven main doors on all sides, and there is also a lounge for special visitors. A large Islamic library is present as well.^[3]

See also

AlexandriaCairo and
Greater CairoOther places