Sadat Quraish Mosque, Historic mosque in Bilbeis, Egypt
The Sadat Quraish Mosque features three rows of marble columns arranged in four corridors that run parallel to the prayer wall. These columns display different capital designs that represent distinct periods in the building's history.
The mosque was built around 639 CE during the Islamic conquest of Egypt and may be the country's first mosque. It predates the well-known Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque in Fustat.
The mosque's name honors 120 Muslim martyrs from the Quraish tribe who fell during battles against the Romans and were buried here. This link between the site and those early fighters gives it deep religious meaning for visitors today.
The site is easiest to visit during daylight hours when architectural details are clearly visible. Visitors should plan to dress modestly, as this is an active place of worship.
Two columns near the prayer niche date from the Pharaonic era, and one bears the inscription 'Allah Bas' in ancient Egyptian script. This blend of ancient writing with Islamic meaning reveals the layered history visible in the building itself.
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