February 22, 2022

The Chairperson of the Senate of Kazakhstan inspects Al Zaher Baybars Mosque

On the sideline of his visit to Cairo, Dr. Ashimbayev Maulen Sagathanuly – Chairperson of the Senate of Kazakhstan inspected the restoration and reconstruction of Al Zaher Baybars Mosque. This visit is at the invitation of Counselor Abdel Wahab Abdel Razik - President of the Senate to consolidate the parliamentary relations between the two countries. Dr. Ashimbayev Maulen Sagathanuly thanked and appreciated the Egyptian government and the Arab Contractors Company for their concern with the project and their exerted efforts to resume the work at the project. He pointed out that this mosque represents a historical and religious value for the Kazakh people. There are 120 thousands tourists visiting Egypt every year and heading to visit the mosque before visiting the ancient monuments. Dr. Maulen was accompanied by a high level delegation from the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ambassador Khairat Lama Sharif - the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Cairo, Dr. Osama Talaat - Head of Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector, Dr. Khaled Salah El Din - Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf in Cairo, Eng. Emam Afify- Vice Chairman of the Arab Contractors Company, Eng. Tarek Khedr – Head of Construction Sector, Eng. Taha Diab – Manager of Palaces and Monuments Restoration Department which carrying out the works and Eng. Mohamed Hassanein - the Project Manager. It is worth noting that Al Zaher Baybars Mosque was commissioned by the Ministry of Antiquities to restore it to the Arab contractors after its condition worsened. The company removed the weeds in it, cleared the underground water passages, replaced the pink bricks in the portico columns with clay bricks, from which the mosque was built, and strengthened the foundations of the columns and the minbar. In addition to the restoration work for some areas of the mosque, to regain its original image of the mosque, and preserve its historical style. Al Zaher Baybars Mosque is consisting of a middle open courtyard surrounded by iwans on all four sides; the biggest one is the Qebla iwan at southeast side of the mosque, with an area of 3570 m2 And 60 marble columns, besides 34 columns below the dome carrying the base on which the dome was built. The area of the iwan on the northwest side is 1040 m2 and has 16 marble columns, and the entrance is on the stone facade. The area of the iwan on the northeast side is 880 m2 and has 16 marble columns, and the entrance is on the stone facade. The total area of the iwan on the southwest side is 880 m2 and has 16 marble columns, and the entrance is on the stone facade.