Juyushi Mosque
| Juyushi Mosque | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
View from downhill
|
|
| Basic information | |
| Location |
 Cairo, Egypt
|
| Affiliation | Taiyabi Ismaili Shi'i Islam |
| Year consecrated | 478 H/1085 CE |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Leadership | Al-Mustansir Billah |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Mosque |
| Architectural style | Fatimid |
| Completed | 478 H/1085 CE |
| Specifications | |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Minaret(s) | 1 |
Juyushi Mosque (Arabic: الجامع الجيوشى "Mosque of the Armies") was built by Badr al-Jamali who was "Ameer al-Juyush" (امير الجيوش "Commander of the Armies") for the Fatimid Caliphate. The mosque was completed in 478 H/1085 CE under the patronage of Caliph-Imam al-Mustansir Billah. It was built on an end of the Mokattam to ensure a view of Cairo.
In the Ottoman period, the mosque was probably used by dervishes as a monastery.
The foundation of the mosque has an inscription which identifies the structure as a mazar (Arabic: مشهد "shrine").
The mosque has one dome and a minaret. There is a small courtyard in the center of the mosque. The entrance is a door to the minaret situated besides the prayer hall. There are 2 rooms, one on each side of the minaret. The minaret is a rectangular shaft with a second receding story. On this, there is a dome similar to the one above the mihrab. The Minaret is embellished with muqarnas cornice.
A striking feature of the interior is the mihrab, which is framed by a panel of alternating bands of Quranic inscriptions and arabesque leaf patterns, all in carved stucco. This Mosque/mashhad was also known as a victory monument commemorating Vizier Badr's restoration of order for the Imam Mustansir.
Over the entrance there is an inscription which begins with Quranic verses 72:18 & 9:108
And the places of worship are for God, so invoke not any one along with God.
Never stand thou forth therein. There is a mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety; it is more worthy of the standing forth therein. In it are men who love to be purified; and God loves those who make themselves pure.
The inscription further continues:
The construction of ...Mashad...ordered by...Imam al-Mustansir....may the blessing of God be upon him ...his Forefathers, the pure Imams.....make his word prevail and deceive his enemies....as he seeks the good pleasure of God..Moharram 478.
...
Wikipedia