The Description

This is the first mosque built in Egypt in the classical Ottoman style in 1528 CE (935 AH). It was originally built to serve the Janissaries (the Ottoman army corps)

The mosque was built on the ruins of an older Fatimid Mosque

Initially, it was a Fatimid Mosque known as the Qusta Mosque, named after Abu Mansur Qusta, the governor of Alexandria during the Fatimid era. He was an Armenian slave of al-Muzaffar, son of the commander of the armies, and died of poisoning, as mentioned by al-Maqrizi. He was considered one of the wisest of the princes and established his mosque in 535 AH/1141 CE.

The current mosque was built by Suleiman Pasha in the Citadel (Saladin's Citadel) in its northeastern section. He dedicated it to the Janissaries (a corps of the Ottoman army) who had settled within the northern walls of the citadel after Sultan Selim I entered Egypt in 1517 CE. The mosque served as their spiritual and military center.

The Location

The mosque is located within the Citadel of Saladin in Cairo, specifically in the northeastern section of the Citadel, atop the Muqattam Hills.

The Founder

It was established by Suleiman Pasha al-Khadim, one of the Ottoman governors of Egypt during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

The origin of the Name

It was named "Sariyat al-Jabal" (Polar of the Mountain) after the revered companion of the Prophet, Sariya ibn Zunaim, as Ottoman soldiers were stationed at the Citadel along the line of the column.

The reasons for Building the Mosque

The Ottoman governor, Suleiman Pasha al-Khadim, decided to demolish the old Fatimid Mosque due to its small size and built the mosque in its current form. This was done to keep the Janissary soldiers separate from the Western soldiers who were stationed on the other side of the Citadel. Another reason for its construction was that the Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun had fallen into disrepair and was rarely visited, making it necessary to build a new mosque.

The architectural Features of the Mosque

It is considered an artistic masterpiece distinguished by several prominent features and important archaeological components.

The Mosque's Sanctuary: The Prayer Hall (Covered Section)

A square space topped by a large central stone dome, surrounded by three iwans covered with semi-domes. The interior walls are clad in colored marble.

The Open Courtyard

A courtyard located to the west of the prayer hall, paved with white marble and surrounded by four arcades covered with small domes.

The Pencil Minaret

A minaret with a pointed, conical top resembling a pencil, the most famous symbol of Ottoman architecture.

The Pencil Minaret at the Mosque of Suleiman al-Khadim in the Citadel is considered the first minaret built in Egypt in the Ottoman style, in 1528 CE.

It is named for its pencil-like shape and is distinguished by its slender, elegant, cylindrical body, devoid of ornamentation, and features two wooden balconies.

The Unique Pulpit

It contains a white marble pulpit, considered one of the most magnificent marble pulpits.

It is located inside the prayer hall, which features a central dome surrounded by semi-domes, and its walls are adorned with colorful marble and tiled surfaces.

The pulpit is crafted entirely from marble inlaid with intricately gilded geometric and floral designs.

It is distinguished by its unique Ottoman design and decorations, reflecting the mastery of marble carving during that era.

It is considered the first of its kind in Ottoman mosques in Egypt.

The Kuttab (Quranic School)

The kuttab is located in the northwestern corner of the mosque's courtyard.

Its ornate wooden ceiling underwent meticulous restoration, including the decorations of the portico and the "muballaght" (caller's platform) above it, along with insulation work on the wooden slab for its protection.

The Mausoleum of Sariya al-Jabal

Abu Mansur Qusta

He is buried in a domed mausoleum located in the northwestern portico of the mosque.

He was the governor of Alexandria during the Fatimid era and the founder of the old Fatimid Mosque, upon whose ruins the Mosque of Suleiman Pasha was built.

His tomb is known locally as the Tomb of "Sariya al-Jabal" (the Mountain Pillar).

In addition, there are several marble structures and tombstones of prominent figures from the Ottoman era.

The Sundial (Sun Clock)

A sundial is an ancient instrument for measuring time and determining prayer times. The sundial in Islamic Egypt, located in the courtyard of the Mosque of Suleiman al-Khadim (Sariyat al-Jabal) in the Citadel of Saladin, is distinguished by its historical design.

How it Works

It relies on a marble or stone plate with a central point (stick) cast by the sun's rays to determine the time. As the sun moves across the sky, the length and direction of the shadow cast on the plate change to indicate the hour. It is based primarily on the regular change in the angle of the sun's rays throughout the day. Arab Muslims used it to determine prayer times, as it depends on the sun and its angle of inclination from the horizon; that is, its principle is based on angles rather than a clock.

The Mosque's Development History

- The mosque underwent several additions during the reign of Muhammad Ali Pasha, including the portico that precedes the western entrance.

- The Committee for the Preservation of Arab Monuments restored the mosque in 1891 without altering its original features.

- King Farouk I (1939-1952) also carried out restoration work inside the mosque.

- The mosque recently underwent a comprehensive restoration project that lasted approximately five years, and it was officially reopened to visitors in September 2023, becoming one of the most prominent historical sites in the Citadel.

To watch a short documentary about the mosque, follow this YouTube link