This is the spectacular Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, the founder of modern Egypt. The mosque sits inside the Citadel and at one time was the highest structure in the city. Before loud speakers were installed, blind people were employed to climb the minaret and call for prayer. Why do you think they preferred blind callers?
This is the fountain outside the mosque and used for a ritual called ablution. To enter, you must be clean and every Muslim will stop to wash their head, arms, face and feet. The mosque is no longer in use so we were able to enter. Although it is not in use, they asked women to be respectful and cover their legs and arms in a holy site. If women wanted to enter and were dressed inappropriately, robes were available for rent.
Behind Denali is an alcove where the Imam, the Muslim holy person, leads prayers. In a mosque all of the floors are carpeted and everyone is bare footed. When praying, Muslims kneel on the floor and touch their foreheads and noses to the ground. It is necessary to face Mecca, the birth place of Mohammed. In every mosque, the niche faces Mecca. In front of the alcove is a raised podium where the Imam will speak and give instructions about leading a virtuous life every Friday. Muslims pray 5 times every day and usually carry their own carpet for kneeling. The first call to prayer is at dawn. How do you think they determine dawn?
The ceiling of the dome is an intricate mosaic. These are very small tiles placed side by side and are very beautiful.
Dawn is defined by 2 strings, a black and a white. When it is possible to tell the difference, it is dawn and when it is no longer possible, it is dusk. When we were in Egypt, dawn was about 4:30 in the morning and the call to prayer was very loud.
Why?
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