page_title: Amir Qijmas al-Ishaqi Mosque
section_title: Historical background
hierarchical_section_title: Amir Qijmas al-Ishaqi Mosque / Historical background
caption_attribution_description: English: 50 pound Egypt
context_page_description: The Mosque of Amir Qijmas al-Ishaqi or Abu Hurayba Mosque is a late Mamluk-era mosque in Cairo, Egypt. It dates from 1480-81 CE and is located in the historic al-Darb al-Ahmar district, near Bab Zuweila. It is considered by many to be one of the finest examples of late Mamluk architecture.
context_section_description: The mosque was likely begun in the late 1470s and completed in 1480-1481. It was commissioned by a Burji Mamluk amir (commander) called Sayf al-Din Qijmas al-Ishaqi who served during the rule of Sultan Qaitbay. He served in several highly important positions such as amir akhur (officer in charge of the royal stables) and amir al-hajj (officer in charge of the pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj). He was also appointed governor of Alexandria in 1470 and then governor of Syria in 1480, a position he retained until his peaceful death in 1487. During his tenure in Syria he built a new tomb for himself in Damascus and he was buried there instead of in the mausoleum of the mosque he had built in Cairo.
  His mosque in Cairo was built on what was then the main road between the southern city gate, Bab Zuweila, and the Citadel of Cairo, passing through what is now known as the Al-Darb al-Ahmar district. The mosque's popular name, the Mosque of Abu Hurayba (or Abu Heriba, among other spellings), is derived from the Sheikh Abu Hurayba, who was known as a wali and was buried in the domed mausoleum in 1852. The mosque is also known today for being featured on the 50 Egyptian pound bill.
caption: A 50 Egyptian Pound bill in 2001 featuring the Qijmas al-Ishaqi Mosque.
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