The Luminous Facade

Size: 14" x 20" // Watercolours on Arches Watercolour Paper

Al-Jāmiʿ al-Anwar is the second largest masjid in the city of Cairo. Construction started in the reign of al-Imam al-Aziz bi Allah ^AS in 380 AH/990 CE and was completed at the hands of al-Imam al-Hakim bi Amr Allah ^AS in 393/1003. Centuries later in 1401H/1980, it was restored by Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin ^RA and his successor Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin ^TUS.

Recognizing the importance of the masjid as a landmark for the Muslim community, the Fatimi Imams introduced the monumental portal to the facade architecture of the masjid. They deemed that such architecture, which was inherently linked to Islamic identity, should have a striking presence, and identity of its own, which they consolidated with the use of elaborate projecting portals, dressed stone construction and intricate carvings as is the case at Al-Jāmiʿ al-Anwar. Maulana al-Imam al-Hakim ^AS chose to emphasize the main entrance to the masjid through the use of a projecting portal and also highlighted its significance through detailed ornamentation. Whilst the general construction of the walls was of brick or coarse stone finished with a layer of plaster, the portal was built of fine dressed stone and was intricately carved. Al-Anwar's portal is the only surviving Fatimi monumental portal in al-Qahira. (Al-Jāmiʿ al-Anwar: The Luminous Masjid, Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah 2016.)

In my ten day stay in Cairo, going to al-Jāmiʿ al-Anwar for salaat, prayer, felt like serendipity. As though by a stroke of good luck, I was meant to bask in its huge sehen, common area, and gather all of the references that I could absorb -- especially the flying pigeons over the Jami’, the facade, the Mehrab, the Kufic inscriptions, the stucco grilles, the corridors filled with repetitive arches, the mishkaats, the minaret and the Bir, the well. I marvelled at its grandeur and through this art piece, I hoped to render the emotions that I felt during my visit onto paper, using the colours of my beating heart.