Egypt's Islamic Cultural Center in the New Administrative Capital embraces Masjid Misr, also known as the Grand Mosque, a testament to modern Islamic architecture and Egyptian ambition. The unveiling of the new center and mosque was met with criticism on social media, given Egypt's economic challenges.
The Muhammad Ali Mosque in Cairo.
Location and Design
Situated near the Presidential Axis, Route 11, and People's Square to the north, the center is located in the Governmental District. The mosque is built on a plateau, covering an area of 476-thousand square meters. Egypt's Grand Mosque draws influence from the scenery of the Nile Delta to combine modern design features with traditional Islamic architectural aspects.
The outside design of the mosque is modeled after a lotus blossom in bloom, signifying purity and the advancement of spirituality. The mosque has two levels, with three main entrances and a fourth for services. The first level is 20 meters high, while the second level reaches the pinnacle of the dome at 57 meters. There are separate domes for the east and west halls as well. The mosque's secondary and upper courtyards are connected by service buildings and a commercial culture center. The mosque is surrounded by 30-thousand square meters of white marble.
Architectural Highlights
The Grand Mosque is an architectural masterpiece boasting several impressive features:
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- Minarets: Two minarets, each with a height of 148 meters.
- Dome: A dome with a height of 30 meters and a weight of 500 tons.
- Entrances: The mosque has 3 entrances, each with 3 doors that are 6 meters high.
- Walls: All the walls are made of natural marble with Islamic ornaments.
- Inscriptions: The names of Allah the Almighty are inscribed on the domes of the mosque, using the finest types of gold-inlaid ornaments.
- Ceilings: The wooden ceilings are made of Aru wood, rising to a height of 19 meters.
The mosque covers more than 19,000 sq m and is capable of hosting 107,000 worshippers. It is bordered by Road No. The area of the mosque is 19,100 square meters and contains 3 main entrances topped by Islamic domes, in addition to a fourth service entrance. The mosque consists of a prayer hall with an area of 9,600 square meters and a capacity of 12,000 worshipers, topped by a main Islamic dome with an internal diameter of 29.5 meters, and 6 halls with an area of 350 square meters, each of which is topped by an Islamic dome. The mosque has various service spaces. The two minarets rise about 140 meters from the surface of the upper courtyard, and the total area of each one is 1600 m2. The total area of the eastern hall is about 3055 m2, with an Islamic dome in the middle. The total area of the western hall is about 2,800 m2, with a dome in the middle.
Старый Каир(МЕЧЕТИ СУЛТАНА ХАСАНА И РЕФАИИ)
The East service building has 4 gates that serve as main entrances linking the secondary courtyard and the upper courtyard of the mosque. The West service building has 4 gates that serve as main entrances linking the secondary courtyard and the upper courtyard of the mosque. The Cultural Centre building has two gates that serve as main entrances and two sub-entries, linking the secondary courtyard and the upper courtyard of the mosque.
Record-Breaking Features
State media celebrated the mosque for breaking three world records:
- Highest Pulpit: Standing at 16.6m (54.5ft) and handcrafted from the finest types of wood.
- Heaviest Chandelier: Weighing 24,300kg (53,572lb).
- Largest Chandelier: With a diameter of 22m (72.2ft) and comprising four levels.
In ... Egypt grand mosque is the largest mosque in Africa and the third largest in the Middle East. It also holds the heaviest chandelier on record.
## Quran HouseCovering an area of 6,500 square meters, it consists of 30 rooms, each dedicated to one of the Holy Quran’s 30 parts. Each room has an entire part of the Quran carved on it by Egyptian hands with clear calligraphy and diacritics for reading and memorizing the Quran from the walls. It also houses the "Noble Ottoman Quran," the most precious gift to the Quran House.
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## CriticismsThe opening event was attended by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, with state media describing it as showing Egypt's "grandiosity". But on social media there was severe criticism. Some Egyptians have expressed concerns about overspending on mega projects, especially amid economic challenges. Its currency has lost half of its value against the dollar over the past year, causing inflation to reach its highest level in five years. The country has also been selling state assets to Gulf investors to help plug a widening budget deficit.
One user said that the mosque remains closed all year, opening every three months so a hundred people can use it, then it is closed again. A third raised concerns about overspending on mega projects, writing: "Well, what should we do with people who can't find what to eat or young men who can't get married? It does not matter. We have the largest mosque, heaviest chandelier, and the biggest foreign debt that we will continue to pay till Doomsday."
Despite the criticisms, the Grand Mosque remains a significant landmark, reflecting Egypt's rich cultural and religious heritage.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | New Administrative Capital, Egypt |
| Area | 476,000 square meters |
| Minaret Height | 148 meters |
| Dome Height | 30 meters |
| Capacity | 107,000 worshippers |
| World Records | Highest Pulpit, Heaviest Chandelier, Largest Chandelier |
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