Old Cairo’s central mosque. A historic square may be near Saladin Citadel, identical to those in the neighboring Sultan Hassan Mosque.
Directions:
Al Rifai and Sultan Hassan can be found in Old Cairo, just outside the Citadel, and are about a half-walk hour away from the city’s heart.
History:
Both mosques are huge. Although enormous, it is not frightening. The Rifai Mosque is an excellent example of the architecture that can be seen here—built for Princess Khushyar, who was Khedive Ismail’s mother, between 1869 and 1912.
As entry for the royal family is limited, people are only allowed to enter from Sultan Hassan’s side. During the month of Gumad el-Tani, Shiekh Ali al-tomb Rifai will celebrate his moulid in a room made of sandalwood. Shiekh Ali al-Rifai first established Rifai tariqa dervishes. You are standing in front of his grave.
To the left of the tomb is where the bodies of King Fouad, his mother, the previous Shah of Iran, and King Farouk of Egypt may be found. The mosques Ibn Tulun and Sultan Hassan built are more potent than other mosques because of their straightforward design.
