The Islamic era in Egypt was generally the golden age for arts and architecture. Examples of such revival can be seen in the building of several mosques, fortresses and city walls, in addition to the flourishing of decorative arts. These were most evident in the construction of al-Fustat, the first capital of Egypt, where Amr Ibn el-Aas built the first mosque in the country. The Nile meter on the island of Rodha in modern Cairo, built by Abbasid Caliph al-Mutawakel Billah in 245 AH, is known to be the oldest Islamic monument in Egypt.
Islamic architecture also flourished mainly in al-Qatay' city and Ahmed Ibn Touloon mosque which was built in the same style of Amr Ibn el-Aas mosque, with the addition of a fountain, minaret, props and the foundation sign board. The minaret of Ahmed Ibn Touloon mosque is known for its unique shape in Egypt derived from the Persian temples known as “Zigurat”.
The Fatimid period also witnessed the development of local Islamic architecture. Al-Azhar, al-Anwar and Al-Aqmar mosques are famous examples of Fatimid architecture in Egypt.
Al-Geoshi Mausoleum is a model for dome structures and mosques built around the tombs of eminent men of religion.
During the Ayyubid period, further advances were made in the field of architecture. Salah ed-Din's (Saladin's) Citadel still stands out as a lofty, striking example of Islamic architecture. The Mamelukes were no less advanced in this field. They also left behind a great wealth of finely designed and decorated mosques, domes, mystics' houses, palaces, schools, khans (inns), fortresses and public drinking fountains.
Egyptians under Islamic rule adopted the same techniques and styles of art and ornamentation prevailing in the preceding periods. Most notable arts of this period were wood engraving and ornamentation, assembled dove tailed and lathed wood work. Islamic style textiles, porcelain and stained glass were also widely known during this period. |
Islamic Conquest of Egypt
In 640 A.D., Amr bin Al-As conquered Egypt and he besieged the Fortress of Babylon till the surrender of the Byzantine forces there in 641 A.D.
Then, he proceeded to Alexandria and by virtue of Babylon Agreement, Alexandria surrendered too and he continued his conquest of Egypt. |
Abbasid Caliphate
Faris witnessed the birth of the Abbasid Caliphate when the leader of the Abbasid armies Abu Muslim Al-Khurasani revolted against the Umayyads where the battle first took place near the Euphrates before it moved to Egypt when the armies of the Abbasids, under the leadership of Salih bin Ali, achieved victory over the Umayyads and the Umayyad Caliph Marwan II was killed in 750 A.D.
Then, after entering Egypt, the leader of the Abbasids Salih bin Ali established the capital of the Abbasids in Egypt called Al-Askar.
Despite the capture of Egypt, the Abbasid influence was not stable, a matter that encouraged one of the Turk leaders in the Abbasid army in Egypt Mohamed bin Tughj Al-Ikhshid to seize power. |
Ikhshidi Era
After the death of Mohamed bin Tughj Al-Ikhshid, his minister Abu el-Misk Kafour had the guardianship over Al-Ikhshid's two sons. Under the name of Al-Ikhshid's sons, Kafour ruled over Egypt for 23 years.
On his death, the eleven-year old boy Abu Al-Fawaris Ahmed, Al-Ikhshid's grandson, succeeded him. Therefore, chaos prevailed in Egypt, a matter that paved the way before the Fatimids to seize Egypt. |
The Fatimid Era
After the death of Abu el-Misk Kafour Al-Ikhshid, the commander of the Fatimids' armies Jawhar Al-Siqilli managed to capture Alexandria in 969 A.D. Hence, the Fatimid Caliphate began in Egypt and continued for two centuries (969: 1171).
Al-Siqilli established a new capital for Egypt, namely Cairo and built Al-Azhar Mosque to teach Islamic sciences. |
The Ayyubid Era
Salah al-Din Al-Ayyubi (Saladin) assumed control of Egypt upon the death of the last Fatimid Caliph Al-Adid in 1171. Salah al-Din played a great role in establishing a Sunni state in Egypt by building a lot of Sunni schools (madrasas). Before his death, Salah al-Din divided his kingdom among his sons and brothers where Egypt was the share of his son Al-Aziz Othman. |
The Mamluke Era
At the last days of the Ayyubid State, the Mamlukes controlled most of the important posts in Egypt. After the murdering of Turan Shah, the last of the Ayyubid Sultans, Shajarat El-Dur, wife of King Al-Salih Ayyoub, married Aybak one of the Bahari Mamlukes chiefs.
After the death of Aybak, a number of Bahari Mamlukes ruled over Egypt the most famous of them was Sultan Qutuz who defeated the Tartars in `Ein Jalut. Sultan Baybars succeeded Qutuz and managed to achieve a religious sovereignty over the Muslim world.
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Ottoman Era
In 1517, Sultan Selim I entered Egypt and he regulated rule in Egypt via dividing power among three bodies. The Wali, the governor, is the deputy of the Sultan in Egypt and he was appointed for 3 years only. His mission was to carry out the orders of the sultan, send Jezia and lead the armies.
The Divan consisted of the major officers in the Ottoman army, major employees, scholars (Ulama) and landowners. The Divan's mission was to help the Wali in ruling the country and it had the veto right to the Wali's decisions besides calling for dismissing him.
The Mamlukes led the local departments, as the Ottomans wanted to make use of their experience in running the affairs of the country.
When Ali Bey Al-Kabir assumed the office of Skeikh Al-Balad, ruler of the country, he allied with Sheikh Daher Al-Omar in Palestine against the Ottoman sultan and expelled the Ottoman Wali and announced Egypt's independence.
Ali Bey Al-Kabir managed to extend his influence to Al-Hejaz and Yemen and sent an army under the leadership of Muhammad Bey Abuda Dahab. Yet, the Ottomans managed to convince Abuda Dahab of allying with them against Ali Bey Al-Kabir, hence Egypt returned an Ottoman state. |
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