Gowhar As-Siqqili Founder of Al-Mo'ez' Cairo
Egypt, History, 6/10/2000

For a long time, to rule Egypt has been a dream of Fatimid Caliphs who founded their State in Arab Magrib. One of their goals was to establish a strong state to stand against the Abbasid Caliphate in Iraq.

So, the Fatimid Caliph Al-Mo'ez Lidin Ellah sent an army of 100,000 soldiers under the leadership of Gowhar El-Siqqili (Abu Al-Hassan Gowhar Ibn Abdullah) who marched from Al-Mahdia City the capital of Fatimid State towards Egypt in February 969 AD. It took the Fatimid Caliph years to prepare that army and 24 million dinars were spent on preparations including pavement of roads and digging wells.

Gowhar El-Siqqili arrived in Alexandria in July 969 AD without any resistance following the death of Kafour Al-Ikhshedi (Egypt's Ruler) and Egypt was in a state of chaos. He declared that he came to Egypt only for reform. Thus, the Egyptians sent a delegation to Troga city near Alexandria to negotiate with him. As a result of negotiations, an unprecedented agreement was concluded, as it was considered to be a detailed constitution for rule and judgment between the ruler and the people. The agreement was called " The Book of Trust" including Gowhar's pledge to unleash freedom of creed, to administer justice and peace, and to reform and protect the country. The Egyptians accepted the agreement, while the Ikhshed supporters refused it and decided to fight him.

A battle took place in Giza and Siqqili defeated them. He reached Fustat, Egypt's capital, on July 7, 969 AD and settled in an area called "Al Monakh" which is Cairo's site today.

He laid the foundations of Fatimid State in Egypt. He established their capital on the site of their camp north of Fustat. The city was planned so as to comprise a palace for the Fatimid Caliph and districts for the army leaders nearby.

He built the Grand Eastern Palace and surrounded the city by a great wall and called it "Mansouria City" after Caliph Al-Mansour, the father of Caliph AI-Mo'ez Lidin Ellah. The city maintained the said name till 972 AD. When Al-Mo'ez arrived to Egypt, he called it Cairo "Kahirat Al Mo'ez". The name was selected probably because Al-Mo'ez said to Gowhar "Build a city that defeats the world." So, Cairo became the fourth capital of Muslim Egypt after Fustat, 641 AD, Al Askar, 751 AD and Al-Qataa'i, 870 AD. The area of Cairo was 340 feddans including 70 feddans for the palace.

Gowhar built Al-Azhar Mosque over two years in 970, and inaugurated it on Friday prayer on June, 21, 972 to be a centre of Shiitism, the creed of Fatimid State.

Gowhar gained the Egyptians' confidence and love by alleviating the economic crisis. In addition, he achieved prosperity by good administration. He began to send money and gifts to neighbouring countries such as Mecca, Madina and Aleppo. The rulers of those cities came to recognize the lawfulness of the Fatimid Caliph.

After the conquest of Egypt, Gowhar conquered Damascus and Al-Sham (Syria in 975 AD and founded a powerful State, and based in Cairo. In May 973 AD, Al-Mo'ez Lidin Ellah arrived to Alexandria then to Cairo with all his armies, relatives, the remains of his ancestor and all his property, and treasures.

Gowhar was a ruler of Egypt for 4 years and 20 days till he was deposed by Al-Mo'ez. He died in January 991 AD after he founded the powerful Faimid State which survived several centuries till 1171 AD.

Previous Stories:
  Cairo's gates are reflection of the Fatimid era   (12/31/1999)
  A composite of Fine Islamic Architecture   (12/21/1999)
  Baghdad asks UNESCO to preserve Abbasid palace damaged by strikes   (12/24/1998)
  Arab contributions to music science   (11/16/1998)
  The beautiful Damascus rose   (9/2/1998)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search