Cairo to start renovation, maintenance work at historical Al Sayeda Zainab Mosque

CAIRO – 12 April 2022:  Egypt’s authorities to start maintenance and renovation work at the historical and sacred Al Sayeda Zainab Mosque per President Abdel Fattah al Sisi directions to renovate the historical mosques’ shrines, including the interior halls of mosques, and their architectural decorations.

The renovation works, which expected to start within days will also include the buildings around it and the whole neighborhood, not just the mosque itself.

All shop signs surrounding the Mosque in Al Sayeda Zainab neighborhood are expected to be unified, as the street will be developed to be similar to the touristic-Khan Al-Khalil Street.

Al-Sayeda Zainab Mosque is one of the most important and historic mosques in Cairo. It was named in an honor to Al Sayeda Zaynab bint Ali, one of the daughters of Imam Ali, fourth Caliph, and husband of Fatimah, daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

There is no accurate record of when the mosque was built over the grave of Al Sayeda Zaynab.

Earlier in March, The Ministry of Endowments decided to close Imam Hussein Mosque in Old Cairo Governorate for restoration and maintenance work ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar during which the Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to the sunset.

The Ministry announced in a statement that an operation room was formed to follow up the ministry’s preparations to receive the holy month by maintaining mosques and renewing their furniture, with conducting hygiene and sterilization campaigns.

The ministry added that some religious activities and ritual events are being prepared to be presented during the holy month.

The famous mosque was originally constructed in 1154 and was reconstructed in 1874. Some Shia Muslims believe Al-Hussein, grandson of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace and Blessing be Upon Him), is buried in the mosque.

On Monday, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi directed the Armed Forces Engineering Authority to completely develop all shrines of Ahl al-Bayt [the family members of the Prophet Muhammad] with its internal halls and their architectural decorations as well as revamping their leading roads, squares and entrances.

Sisi's directives came during his meeting with Presidential Advisor for Urban Planning Major General Amir Sayed Ahmed, Head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Major General Ihab Al-Far, Director of Armed Forces Engineering Authority Advisory Office Major General Ashraf El-Araby, Assistant Director for road designs in the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Brigadier General Abdel Aziz El-Feki, Director of Ibdaa Marble and Granite Factory Tariq Al-Khudairi, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said.

The meeting reviewed efforts to restore and renovate the shrines of Ahl al-Bayt, especially those of Imam Hussein Mosque, Sayeda Nafisa and Sayeda Zeinab.