Gamal Eddin Youssef Istadar Mosque, Mosque and madrasa in Islamic Cairo, Egypt.
The Gamal Eddin Youssef Istadar Mosque is a mosque and school combined in Islamic Cairo, featuring a central courtyard surrounded by four connected rooms. One of these rooms functions as the main prayer hall, equipped with a pulpit and prayer niche for worshippers.
This mosque was founded in 1407 under the rule of Sultan El-Nasser Farag Ben Barkook, named after a man who functioned as Egypt's de facto ruler at that time. The building represents a period when religious and political power were closely linked in Cairo.
This place served as a center for religious learning and Quranic instruction for children alongside its role as a house of worship. The combination of prayer and education shaped how the community gathered and spent time together in this space.
The mosque sits on Tombakshiyah Street in the Gamalia district and has been thoroughly restored in recent years. Visitors will find the entire structure in good working condition with all its spaces accessible.
The name Istadar comes from Persian origins, reflecting cultural influences visible in the building's design. This connection to Persian traditions marks the structure as a reminder of how different cultures shaped Islamic Cairo.
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