Ahmad al-Badawi Mosque | |
---|---|
مسجد أحمد البدوي | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Islam |
Patron | Ahmad al-Badawi |
Location | |
Location | Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt |
Geographic coordinates | 30°59′56″N 30°47′01″E / 30.998889°N 30.783611°E |
Architecture | |
Type | Mosque |
Completed | At least 1276 AD |
Specifications | |
Dome(s) | 3 |
Minaret(s) | 3 |
Shrine(s) | 1 |
The Ahmad al-Badawi Mosque, (Arabic: مسجد أحمد البدوي) is a mosque and shrine complex in Tanta, Egypt. The name of this mosque is derived from the Sufi mystic Ahmad al-Badawi, the founder of the Badawiyya Sufi order, who is buried in the shrine of the building. The mosque is also the largest and most-visited mosque in Tanta.
After the death of Ahmad al-Badawi in the 13th century, his trusted student Abd al-Mu'tal succeeded him and built a khanqah next to his grave. [1] This khanqah was eventually demolished and the site was incorporated into a mosque by the Mamluk Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad. [2] It was further expanded by Sultan Qaytbay. [3] Years later, on the orders of Ali Bey al-Kabir, the Mamluk governor of the Ottoman Empire, a metal zarih was built around the grave of Ahmad al-Badawi. [4] In the 1960s, the mosque received a new pair of minarets and an iwan. In 1975, during the presidency of Anwar Sadat, the mosque was further expanded. [5]
The mosque is built in the style of Mamluk architecture. Muqarnas were used in both exterior and interior designs. The mihrab of the mosque incorporates pieces of rare mosaic material. [6]
The mosque also includes a collection of his possessions, including his rosary, which is ten meters long and contains a thousand beads. His turban, garb, and wooden staff are also preserved in the private collection there. [7]
The birthday celebration of Ahmad al-Badawi, known as the Mawlid (Milad) is celebrated every year. [8] During this time and on Ramadan, special candies are sold at the entrance of the mosque which are sweet and named after the saint himself. [9]