Islamic landmark in Luxor under restoration

The minaret of Abul Hagag Al Uqsori mosque in Luxor is a rare Islamic landmark in Upper Egypt.

Abdallah el-Attar, head of the Islamic and Coptic Antiquities Sector says that the structure is in the Fatimid style, even though the mosque was built in the time of the Ayyubid Dynasty (1171-1250 AD).

Constructed in sun-dried bricks, the minaret is in three sections: the lowest consists of three cuboid shapes, whereas the upper two are cylindrical and taper.

The third level has two rows of interstices and is crowned with a hemispherical dome.

Periodic examinations of the monument enable archaeologists to spot any weak points, El-Attar said, adding that the mosque is especially important since it is situated directly opposite the Amon Temple.

As part of restorations which are presently under way, the mosque's palm-leaf ceiling was replaced with a wooden one to prevent rain water leakage, he said.

Built by Wali Aybeg Ibn Abdallah Al Turkumani, the minaret has been exposed to erosion, since the materials were not as resilient as the stones used in the Amon Temple.

The mosque is an important attraction in Luxor as it makes up a poignant architectural tableau with the Pharaonic temple, el-Attar said.

Both monuments bear witness to the fact that Egypt has absorbed many different cultures throughout its history.

The mosque and its distinctive minaret are famous among foreign archaeologists.

In his book Islamic Monuments in Egypt, Crosswell says that the minaret is built with three levels, has a red-brick vault and a durable wooden spiral staircase.