The hanging Mosque of Mohamed Bey Abou El-Dahab

This mosque is situated facing Al-Azhar Mosque and it was built by Mohamed Bey Abou El-Dahab in 1187 AH (1774 AD). Mohamed Bey was one of the assistants of Ali Bey El-Kabir, Governor of Egypt.

He gained the title Abou El-Dahab (meaning the man of gold) because when he became prince, he distributed gold coins among poor in celebration of this honor.

This is a hanging mosque i.e. it is built higher than the level of the road. It is square in shape and has a big dome with stained glass windows. The dome is ornamented with Quranic verses and prayers for Abou El-Dahab. The prayer-niche is made of colored marble.

Under the dome there is a shrine, whose walls are made of copper and ornamented with colored ceramics, where Abou El-Dahab is buried. There is also a marvelous bookcase. In the south-western corner, there is a minaret comprising two floors and topped by five pot-heads which made it unique among Turkish-style minarets. Abou El-Dahab annexed a charity building and a water fountain to his mosque.