AL-HAKIM MOSQUE - IAS GYAN

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Context

At Al-Hakim mosque there will be a meeting between Indian PM modi and Egypt’s President El-Sisi.
Various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements between both the countries will be signed.

Other Details

After 1997 it will be the first time any Indian prime minister is coming to Egypt to discuss bilateral issues between the two countries.
Deliberations will also be hold by Indian PM with India It will be an intense level of ministerial engagement.
There would be meeting with Indian community residing in Egypt.
PM modi will also visit Heliopolis War Cemetery to pay tributes to the WW 1 Indian soldiers.
During World War 1 these Indian soldiers sacrificed their life for Egypt.

Recent visits of officials

Various ministers from India like from Ministry of External Affairs (S Jaishankar), Ministry of Defence (Rajnath Singh) and from Ministry of Environment, forest and climate change (Bhupendra Yadav) recently visited Egypt.
Similarly Egyptian government ministers also visited india, including the Suez Canal Authority chairperson.
Last month Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, visited India.
Egypt was also invited as a special guest by India during its G20 presidency.

Significance of Visits

Overall improvement in India – Egypt relations.
More high-level exchanges and focus on various strategic issue will lead to strengthening of existing relations.
Memoranda of Understanding and agreements on various subject will be signed for instance economy and trade, security, agriculture etc.
Hence this visit is expected to help in expansion of relations and engagement to new areas of trade and economy.

Al-Hakim mosque Egypt

Al-Hakim mosque, a significant Islamic religious site, is a 11th Century Al-Hakim mosque.
It is situated in Cairo, Egypt near Khan El Khalili bazaar.
It is also known as Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah Mosque.

History and Architecture

During the rule of Al-Hakim it was constructed from 990 CE to 1013 CE.
Hence it is a 11th Century structure.
The architecture of mosque has taken inspiration from various styles for instance Fatimud, Mamluk and Ottoman.
It was decorated with elegant calligraphy, geometric patterns on the walls of mosques.
It has large courtyard and the indoor areas.
It also has attractive marble flooring on the surface and adorns decorative tiles of wood near ceilings.

Renovation

Many renovations are undertaken to restore this mosque to its former glory.
In the restoration of this heritage structure Dawoodi Bohra community of India contributed a lot.
Some of them are
- Repairing water damage and
- Repairing cracks in the wall,
- Fixing of the wooden fixtures like doors, decorative tiles
- Restoration of ornate chandeliers
This renovation work was done in association with Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
It is expected to boost tourism at this Islamic site of Cairo.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Engagement of India with Egypt is on its historic peak in the recent times, Examine in the context of PM Modi visit to Egypt. Also highlight how Bohra community is contributing in strengthening the Indian relations with Egypt. (150 words)

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-visit-11th-century-al-hakim-mosque-in-egypt-4134030