Memorable Experience @ the Salah el-Din Citadel

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The pleasant spring weather of Cairo supported our plan to pay a visit to the 833 years old fortress, the Salah el-Din Citadel that situated on a spur of the Muqattam Hills. It was the nerve center of the city and of Egypt.
Salah el-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, founder of the Ayyubid dynasty in Egypt, came to power when a Crusader force threatened to attach the Fatimids, whose strength was ebbing in 1168. They appealed for help to Nur al-Din, the powerful Seljuk overlord of Damascus, who dispatched a military aid mission, of which Salah el-Din was the second in command.
The Citadel was built on an artificially detached spur of the Muqattam range, with limestone quarried from it and large blocks supplied by the small pyramids at Giza. The first major construction work of the fortress begun by Salah el-Din in 1176 and completed in 1182. It consisted of two enclosures, the northern, and the southern. The northern half was the military area.
The southern half was developed by Salah el-Din’s nephew al-Kamil (1218-38) as a royal residence. However, the buildings – a mosque, an audience hall, private palaces, a library, and a mansion for the wazir – were torn down by Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad. His buildings in turn were pillaged and allowed to fall to ruin by the Ottomans, and finally demolished by Muhammad ‘Ali. There have thus been three major building periods in the Citadel’s history: twelfth-century Ayyubid, fourteenth-century Mamluk, and nineteenth-century under Muhammad ‘Ali. The two enclosures are connected by Bab al-Qulla, which stands just to the northeast of al-Nasir Muhammad’s mosque.
For many recent years, the Citadel was used as a military installation and much of it was not open to visitors. In 1983, however, the Egyptian Antiquities Organization initiated a widespread restoration and refurbishing program, which continues today, to make the area a major tourist center. And, now, for foreign adult visitor, you have to fork out EGP 50 and EGP 25 for children or students to enter the Citadel.
One of the prominent structures inside the fortress is the Muhammad ‘Ali’s mosque. The domes (the main one now is still under refurbishment process) and the eighty-two meters minarets of the mosque could be easily captured within 10 kilometers radius of the Citadel, are made up of the Egyptian alabaster. Muhammad ‘Ali’s chief engineer and architect, Pascal Coste, a Frenchmen, was tasked to design the original plan of the mosque in Mamluk style in 1818 until 1827. However, it was abandoned when Coste left Egypt.
In 1832, the construction was resumed on Coste’s foundation, but this time in an Ottoman style. Built in the Ottoman Turkish imperial style as a statement of sovereignty, its size, and dominating location make it a Cairo landmark.
The impressive interior, which could accommodate 6,500 congregates at one time, shows the amazing arrangement of mass and space that is characteristic of the Istanbul Mosques. There are two mimbars or pulpits in the mosque. The larger one of wood decorated with gilt ornament is the original one, whereas the smaller, alabaster one was a gift from King Farouk in 1939.
photo: one of the main white marble made pillars.
photo: the original pulprit made of wood with gilt ornament.
Adjacent to the Muhammad Ali’s mosque or on the southern edge of the Citadel, one could fine the Gawhara (literally menas ‘jewel’) Palace. Unfortunately, taking photos are not allowed inside the palace area. This palace, whose style is a combination of European and Turkish baroque, was where Muhammad ‘Ali waited while the Mamluks were being massacred below. It was burned in 1974, reopened in 1983 as a museum where paintings, furniture, curios, porcelain, and glass belonging to the descendants of Muhammad ‘Ali were displayed.
photo: entrance to Gawhara Palace.
On the opposite site of the Gawhara Palace and the Muhammad ‘Ali mosque, through the Bab al- ‘Alam or the gate of the flag, one can find the remnants of Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil Palace built 1292 and a Police museum. You could also quench your thirst here at the small decent cafeteria.
photo: the Bab al-'Alam or the gate of the Flag.
photo: the remnants of Sultan el-Ashraf Kamil Palace
After about spending forty-five minutes in the southern section, we went to the southern sector through the Bab al-Qullah, built by Sultan al-Baybars I. This section stores the Military museum, the open display area, and the mosque of Sulaiman Pasha, which is unfortunately not open to public.
photo: on the left is the Bab al-Qullah
photo: view from the Military Muzeum - the Domes of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad and Muhammad 'Ali mosques
On the way out, we passed the Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad built in 1318. The architect of this mosque was al-Mu’allim Ibn al-Suyufi. He was the court architect and is known to have been responsible for the other buildings in Cairo: the mosque of al-Maridani and the Madrasah of Agbugha, both built in 1340. Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad was the greatest builder of the Bahri Mamluk period. Except this great mosque, everything else was demolished by Muhammad ‘Ali, just as al-Nasir Muhammad himself had destroyed earlier Ayyubids’ structures.
The two hours experience inside the astonishing Citadel had enhanced our knowledge about the past Egypt.
And, it was indeed a life time experience. Thanks to Nana, Afi, Afiq, Asri, Aiman and Afiqah, ultimately to the Allah Rabbul Jalil.

Indira Restaurant Spoilt us

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Located at the concourse of the Holiday Inn City Star, Nasr City, Cairo, the Indira Restaurant one of the best India restaurants spoilt us with the Indian cuisine, which we missed since two years ago. It was Zaidi’s idea to have our dinner here; however, it was mooted by Adnan to go for Indian cuisine after the long hectic day deliberating our business strategy in the Papyrus Room, Maadi.
The team behind the scene – the so-called housewives, the noble profession that to me is the backbone of our achievement and performance, subsequently PETRONAS achievement in general. Thus, they deserved the 5-Star treatment by the Indira crew.
The kids, our greatest assets, enjoying the curry lamb’s shank; chicken tandoori; prata bread; chicken curry, fruits lassi; lemon shobet and some other Indian dishes, which is beyond my little brain.
The seven (7) hungry men – the flags bearer of PETRONAS and Malaysia at large. Failure is not an option and wish you all the best, men!

917 Intercontinental Cairo's View@23:46 hrs

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This was quite unusual habit of Cairo! The scene that you see in the picture captured from one of the InterContinental Hotel’s elegant room did not reflex the cosmopolitan densely populated Cairo, which accommodates 20 millions Egyptians. It was Friday night though; end of the month, but the scene instigated my mind to wonder why? It might have been adversely resulted by the worst economic turmoil ever experienced by not only Egypt, but also all countries and nations around the globe. Consequently, reduced the purchasing power and dramatically changed the people mindset. This reminded me on the news that I read early in the morning that the poverty level in Egypt has increased to around 45%. In the absolute term, it means around 36 million Egyptians survive this strenuous life earning less than two (2) USD per month or EGP 12 per month. One may wonder how to survive with only two USD per month? On the other side of the coin, amid the worst turmoil, the InterContinental’s occupancy rate is still within their target.

Captured Live: A Bus on Fire

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It was a very sunny day, somewhere near Amriya along the Alex-Cairo desert highway, 24 km from Alexandria, around 15:18 hours, we saw heavy smoke on the side of the highway. We first thought that, someone was trying to demonstrate the latest invention of fogging machine!
We moved closer to the source and we wildly thought there was some kind of movie shooting activity with stunt scene being film. I asked Sherif to stop the car and I was ready with my lethal equipment to capture the live frame.
It was shocked when the thick smoke was blown away by the desert wind, cleared our vision, it was bus on fire!
Around 10-15 minutes later, two fire engines from the nearby petrochemical or Oil & Gas Plants came to the scene. They were very efficient.
With the help of the usual helpful and friendly Egyptians, the Fire Brigades and the Polices’ burden were abridged. The traffic and crowds were well organized and controlled.
One of the locals in action. Kudos dude! Keep it up.
The aftermath. The caused of the fire still unknown to us. And, Alhamdullillah, no one injured.

BSA Sports Day

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Alhamdullillah, this year I had the chance witnessing my children’s sports day. The sports day is an annual event organized by the British School of Alexandria. Amid the hectic and tight business schedule, I slot 2 hours for this exciting looking forward event, which was held at Moharam Beik Alexandria stadium.
Nana in her Egyptian look with her friends cheering up the day.
Some of the supporters in their respective attires. The students were divided into 4 groups; the Red Lion, the Black Panther, the Yellow Tiger and the Blue Jaguar. This year the Blue Jaguar claimed the Champion position. Congratulations...
Afiqah won 6th placing in the 600 meters and 3rd placing in the 100 meters relay; Aiman has made a great effort in the 200 meters and 100 meters; Asri won 1st placing in 300 meters; Afiq started well in the 200 meters final, however, did not finish well due to muscle fatigue. He won 2 nd placing in the long jump. Afi won 2nd placing in 100 meters and relay, and won 3rd placing in the long jump. Besides that, Afi, Afiq and Asri participated in the Tug-Of-War representing their teams. Kudos to all of them for the efforts that they put and the enthusiasm they had shown throughout the day under the chilly sunny day.
See you all next year. Thanks to the organizer, the parents and to Allah swt.