The Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Egypt is oldest mosque in Egypt. The Mosque has been
named after a soldier Ahmed Ibn Tulun in troops of Samara. He rose to the position
to rule Egypt from 868 AD to 883 AD.
Following the tradition of his predecessors he established a new city called
Qataia and also made it his capital. In the city he built a palace and mosque
that was named after him. The Ibn Tulun Mosque seems to have been completed
by 879 AD according to the inscriptions.
Some scholars maintain that Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Egypt has built by an architect
who was a Egyptian Chriatian. He only brought about the idea of piers instead
of large columns that was necessary to support the roof span. But others maintain
that since Ibn Tulun lived in Samara the Great Mosque of Mutawwakil influenced
him.
The importance of the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo lies in the fact that it ahs
been able to influence architecture beyond the Muslim boundaries. It went ahead
to be praised by the Europeans and later imitation. The achievements in the
mosque include the adoption of piers to support the roofs and arcades instead
of columns. Here one also finds the systematic use of pointed arches.
The visit to Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo would be enriching as it so much
to offer and helps understand the historic and architectural achievements of
Muslim civilization.
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