Mosque of Al-Hakim

Constructed over 1,000 years ago, the Mosque of Al-Hakim, also known as, “the illuminated” was created during the Fatimid dynasty. Situated in Islamic Cairo, on the east side of Muizz Street, it is the fourth oldest mosque in Cairo but contains the oldest surviving minaret in Cairo. It was built by the ruler Al-Hakim bi_Amr Allah, “the ruler appointed by God,” who was notorious for his eccentric rule where he’d make up laws to benefit his political agenda and food cravings, using God’s decision as his reasoning. His personality can be seen in the architecture of the mosque with its distinct features and its grandiosity in size, making it the second largest mosque in Cairo. The mosque has a long and intriguing history, including its role as a barracks during the French campaign, when its minarets were utilized as watchtowers.