The urgent measures and movements announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to protect the ancient Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque from sewage did not prevent Egyptian archaeologists’ concerns about the continued leakage of sewage into it. Which exposes it to dangers, if decisive measures are not taken to protect the archaeological mosque.
The mosque, which was built by the governor of Egypt and the founder of the Tulunid state in 265 AH (879 AD) on the top of Mount Yashkar, was part of the city of Al-Qata’i, which he built as the capital of his nascent state, to confirm his independence from the Abbasid Caliphate. It is distinguished by its twisted or wraparound minaret that reflects the style of the Al-Abbas Mosque in Samarra (Iraq). The arches and windows overlooking the courtyard of the mosque also contain geometric and floral plaster decorations. The fountain designated for ablution is located in the middle of the courtyard of the mosque, surmounted by a dome supported by marble columns. It is considered one of the most prominent Islamic monuments in the Sayyida Zeinab neighborhood in central Cairo.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry, the problem occurred as a result of a blockage in some sewage pipes in the area. This led to water accumulating in the mosque’s “Zayda”, which is an area located behind it.
Antiquities restoration consultant Dr. Farouk Sharaf believes that “water cannot reach the Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque except through a neighboring mosque, the Sargumsh Mosque. The Ibn Tulun Mosque had undergone a restoration and protection process at the time the artist Farouk Hosni assumed responsibility for the Ministry of Culture. The supervisors of its restoration took care to create 4 inspection chambers to collect rainwater on the four sides of its courtyard.”
He added to Asharq Al-Awsat: “As for the Sarghtamsh Mosque, the Ministry at that time restored it. It is a Mamluk masterpiece, and one of the most beautiful mosques of the Mamluk Bahri era. It is located on Saliba Street, where the Ibn Tulun Mosque is located. It has been restored and its courtyard has been completely insulated, to protect it from the waters coming from the Kabsh Castle.” The idea, according to Sharaf, “was to divert the water discharged from the top of the mountain to the public sewers in the street, and thus the water that flowed continuously was disposed of after diverting it to the drainage pipes.”
He also pointed out that “the danger of water accumulation lies in not draining it, and this represents a major danger to the archaeological site. As for the issue of water accumulation behind the Ahmed Ibn Tulun Mosque, which is built on a mountainous area, its dangers come from the salts that live in the stone after drying the water, which cannot enter the mosque except through the courtyard exposed to the air. To avoid this, it was included in the restoration plan to create inspection chambers to collect water on its sides, whose mission is to withdraw water, especially during rain, and drain it outside.
The explanatory statement regarding the immediate measures taken to deal with a pool of water in the Qalaat al-Kabsh area behind the archaeological mosque of Ibn Tulun, represented by pushing water suction vehicles, and taking the necessary technical measures to clear the pipes and deal with the situation, to preserve the archaeological area and its safety.
The Mosque of Ahmed Ibn Tulun is considered the second oldest surviving mosque in Egypt, and one of the largest mosques in area. Its total area - including the increments - is more than 26 thousand square metres. It is distinguished by its perpendicular layout, which is a traditional layout for the major mosques of the Abbasid era. It consists of an open square court with a water bath in the middle, established in the Mamluk era, surrounded by 4 corridors, the largest of which is the Qibla corridor on the eastern side, and includes 5 rows. of columns, while the other three sides consist of only two porticoes each. The mosque is surrounded by an external wall on 3 sides (north, south, and west), separating it from the building by an open space known as the ziyada, which is an architectural feature known in the mosques of Samarra and Sousse as well.
