Also known as al-Husayn Mosque and al-Husayn Mosque. The mosque is located in Cairo, Egypt, near the Khan El-Khalili bazaar, near-by the famous Al Azhar Mosque, in an area known as Al-Hussein. It is considered to be one of the holiest Islamic sites in Egypt.

The mosque’s first foundation dated back to 1154, when the mausoleum’s of Al-Hussien was constructed at the site of the mosque. Only the lowest portion of the Bab Al-Akhdar, or south side gate, known as the original Fatimid building, is still present in the mosque today. Ayyubid Salih Nagm al-Din erected a minaret to the old Fatimid doorway a few years later, in 1237. Arabesque motifs, which are common in Islamic architecture, are carved into the panels of the minaret.

The multiple minarets in this mosque represent the various rulers of Cairo and the ways in which they cemented their control through construction. Al-Hussein Mosque was finally rebuilt in 1874 by Isma’il Pasha (Khedive Isma’il) using Gothic Revival architecture as inspiration. Isma’il Pasha built a mosque with Ottoman-style minarets and Italian Gothic-style spires in an effort to modernize Cairo. Islamic eclecticism refers to the blending of many architectural styles that made Islamic architecture during the khedival era famous.

Today, three sizable canopy canopies have been added to Al-Hussein Mosque. It was included to shield those who offered their prayers outside from the summer sun and the winter rain. They are mechanically operated and are built in the same style as many steel and teflon-covered mosques in Saudi Arabia. When opened, a row of three mechanically powered square umbrellas in front of Al-Hussein Mosque covers a space of 750 square meters. The umbrellas, which are 12 meters tall, offer shade to those who assemble to pray outside in front of the mosque on the square. The membrane is constructed of Teflon, and the steel framework has been coated and galvanized. The membrane has coloured textile bands sewed on that are embellished in portions.