El Hussein Mosque

The Hussein Mosque is an old mosque in Cairo, Egypt, close to Al-Hussein district, Khan Al-Khalili. This is considered one of the most important Islamic holy places in Cairo, founded during the Fatimid Califate in 1154. There are many valuable items in the mosque, including the oldest version of the Holy Qur'an.

El Hussein Mosque in Cairo

Sayyidna al-Hussein Mosque was built in 1870 to replace a 12th-century mosque and is believed to retain one of the most sacred relics of all Islam: the head of Al-Hussein, nephew of the prophet Muhammad.

After the death of the prophet in the year 632 AD, the caliphate came under the control of the Umayyad clan.

The son-in-law of the prophet Ali took up arms claiming to be the natural successor and was killed. His son, Al-Hussein, organized a riot but died in 680 AD at the battle of Kerbala, Iraq, where his body is said to rest. Islam is still divided between the followers of Al-Hussein, the Shiites, and the Sunnis, who considered the Umayyads to be Muhammad's legitimate successors. In the ten-day annual Moulid of Al Hussein and other holidays, Midan al-Hussein is invaded by thousands of worshipers.