Mosque of Sayyidna al-Hussein Facts:
Al-Hussein Mosque is the most important mosque in all Egypt, so sacred that only Muslims are allowed to enter. Hundreds come here to pray each day, and as many as 10,000 on Fridays.
Replacing an earlier 12th-century mosque, it was built in 1870 and is reputed to shelter one of the holiest relics of Islam – the head of Al-Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.
After the Prophet’s death in AD 632, control of the caliphate was assumed by the Umayyad clan. The Prophet’s son-in-law Ali, claiming to be the natural successor, took up arms and was killed.
His son, Al-Hussein, led a revolt but died in AD 680 at the battle of Kerbala, Iraq, where the rest of his body is said to lie.
Islam is still divided into followers of Al-Hussein (Shiites) and Sunnis, who hold the Umayyads to be the true successors to Mohammed.
During the annual ten-day Moulid of Al-Hussein and other feast days, thousands throng Midan al-Hussein to enjoy the fair and join in the festivities.
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