Bab al-Futuh

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Bab al-Futuh, Cairo.

Bab al Futuh is a gate in the walls of the Old City of Cairo, Egypt, facing north. It was finished in the year 1087. It stands at the northern end of Muizz Street.

The gate was part of fortification built by Commander/Vizier Badr al-Jamali of Fatimid Imam/caliph Mustansir. Name 'Futuh' indicate it as victory gate. Its rounded towers were a stronger defense than the square towers of Bab al-Nasr (another Old City gate, just to the east). They had shafts for pouring boiling water or burning oil on attackers, and arrow slits. The gate is covered in vegetal and geometric motifs.

With and without the shield, Zulfiqar, The Fatimid depiction of Ameerul Mo'mineen Ali's sword as carved on the Gates of Bab al-Nasr.

In Bab al-Nasr kalema-tut-Shahadat is inscribed by the customary Shia formula of shahadatain/Islamic confessional double phrase, which includes a third, specifically Shia phrase, stating the right of Ali to succeed Prophet Muhammad. This is a reflection of Fatimid dyansaty's (Ismaili) Shia identity, and the fact that they were the ones who built the city of Cairo.[1]

  • Bab al-Futuh, Cairo

  • Name plate

  • Kalema at Bab al-Nasr, Cairo

References

  1. ↑ The Cult of 'Alid Saints in the Fatimid Monuments of Cairo. Part I: The Mosque of al-Aqmar ,By Williams, Caroline ,Muqarnas p.39-41

See also

External links

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Coordinates: 30°3′19.90″N 31°15′48.32″E / 30.0555278°N 31.2634222°E / 30.0555278; 31.2634222

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