The Mosque of al-Husayn is one of the holiest sites in Islam — believed to contain the head of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad whose martyrdom at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD is the foundational event of Shia Islam. The mosque, rebuilt in its current form in 1154, sits on Midan al-Husayn, a large square adjacent to Khan el-Khalili that is one of the most spiritually charged public spaces in Cairo.
The square and surrounding streets are the centre of Cairo's religious and festive life. During Ramadan, the area transforms into an enormous open-air iftar (breaking-of-fast) celebration, with restaurants and food stalls serving thousands of people every evening. The Mawlid al-Husayn (the annual celebration of Husayn's birthday) draws hundreds of thousands of Sufi devotees to the square for nights of dhikr (devotional chanting), music, and spiritual ecstasy that provide one of the most intense religious experiences available in any Muslim city.
The restaurants surrounding the square — particularly the late-night establishments serving kushari (Egypt's national dish of lentils, rice, pasta, and tomato sauce), ful medames (stewed fava beans), and the grilled meats that Egyptian street food does superbly — provide some of the best cheap eating in Cairo. The area is busiest after the evening prayer, when families gather on the square and the commercial energy of Khan el-Khalili extends into the surrounding streets.
Verified Facts
The mosque is believed to contain the head of Husayn ibn Ali
Husayn was martyred at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD
The current mosque was rebuilt in 1154
Kushari is considered Egypt's national dish
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Midan al-Husayn, Islamic Cairo
