The mosque of Imam Al Shafi'i in Cairo, Egypt. Alamy
The mosque of Imam Al Shafi'i in Cairo, Egypt. Alamy
The mosque of Imam Al Shafi'i in Cairo, Egypt. Alamy
The mosque of Imam Al Shafi'i in Cairo, Egypt. Alamy

Dome of Cairo's Imam Al Shafi'i mosque reopened after restoration


Kamal Tabikha
  • English
  • Arabic

Egypt’s tourism and antiquities minister inaugurated the newly restored dome of the Imam Al Shafi'i Mosque in Old Cairo on Sunday in celebration of World Heritage Day.

A prominent Ayyubid landmark of Islamic Cairo, the Imam Al Shafi’i mosque reopened in November after a three-year renovation.

The dome, which predates the mosque by a few centuries, required more extensive work.

The contract for the extensive restoration of the mosque and the dome, a joint effort by the ministries of tourism and awqaf, or religious endowments, was awarded to the state-owned Arab Contractors Company.

Tourism Minister Khaled El Anany said his ministry oversaw the decorative and cultural restoration while the Awqaf Ministry provided the funding.

The work on the mosque alone cost 13 million Egyptian pounds ($829,000), the Tourism Ministry said.

The dome suffered a great deal of wear and tear over the years because of its location in a densely populated and badly polluted area of Cairo.

Both the interior and exterior of the dome were restored under the supervision of tourism ministry experts in Islamic culture and architecture.

The work was carried by a large crew of technicians working with materials including wood, stucco, coloured marble and metal.

A new drainage system was installed to prevent water damage to the structure, and a new lighting system was added for decorative purposes.

The structural work included treating many cracks in the walls, floors and ceilings, and the replacement of fixtures on the dome, such as its lead cladding, because they were beyond repair.

The dome is inscribed with Quranic text including excerpts from Ayat Al Kursi (Verse of the Throne), one of the holiest verses in the Islamic faith.

Restoration of the inscriptions had to be handled with care because of the age of the structure.

The mosque is named after one of the most important imams of Sunni Islam, Muhammad ibn Idris Al Shafi'i, whose remains are housed in a mausoleum at the dome.

An Islamic scholar and theologian, Al Shafi’i was the first contributor to the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and the founder of the Shafi’i school, or madhab, one of the four most important schools of thought on Islamic law.

Al Shafi’i lived in the 8th and 9th centuries, and the dome was built in 1212 by the Ayyubid Sultan Al Kamil in his honour.

The mosque’s construction came a few centuries later during the reign of Khedive Tawfiq in 1892.

The mosque’s facelift was a cornerstone of the government's renovation for a large section of Cairo for the opening of the nearby National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation this month.

The opening was marked by the transfer of 22 royal mummies to its halls from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square in a grand parade.

The museum is on the banks of the Ain Al Sira lake, which was an entirely different space a few years ago when it was still inhabited by thousands of Cairo’s poorest.

The lake has received one of the most intensive makeovers the Egyptian capital has seen in years, turning it into a clean space with restaurants, cafes, artisanal stores and a walkway.

Mr El Anany has been one of the most outspoken voices for the renovation of Cairo’s Islamic and Coptic districts, most of which are in Old Cairo, also known as Historic Cairo.

He said one of his ministry’s main goals is to highlight Egypt’s non-pharaonic heritage sites, which are often overlooked by tourists eager to visit the pyramids and other ancient attractions for which the country is better known.

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Medinet Habu and Colossi of Memnon - Egyptian archaeology in pictures

  • A temple colonnade at Medinet Habu, on the west bank of the Nile outside Egypt's southern city of Luxor, which hit the news in recent days with the discovery of an ancient city, lost in its sands. AFP
    A temple colonnade at Medinet Habu, on the west bank of the Nile outside Egypt's southern city of Luxor, which hit the news in recent days with the discovery of an ancient city, lost in its sands. AFP
  • A sparrow perches in a recess in a temple wall at Medinet Habu, on the west bank of the Nile outside Luxor. AFP
    A sparrow perches in a recess in a temple wall at Medinet Habu, on the west bank of the Nile outside Luxor. AFP
  • A wall adorned with reliefs at the Mortuary Temple of the 20th dynasty pharaoh Ramesses III (1186-1155 BC) at Medinet Habu, near Egypt's southern city of Luxor. AFP
    A wall adorned with reliefs at the Mortuary Temple of the 20th dynasty pharaoh Ramesses III (1186-1155 BC) at Medinet Habu, near Egypt's southern city of Luxor. AFP
  • A pigeon flies by the top of the migdol tower at the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu. AFP
    A pigeon flies by the top of the migdol tower at the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu. AFP
  • The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of the 18th dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III (c1391-1351 BC), on the west bank of the Nile outside Luxor. AFP
    The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of the 18th dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III (c1391-1351 BC), on the west bank of the Nile outside Luxor. AFP
  • A man drives a horse-drawn cart loaded with alfalfa along a road past the Temple of Luxor and the 13th century Abu Haggag mosque. AFP
    A man drives a horse-drawn cart loaded with alfalfa along a road past the Temple of Luxor and the 13th century Abu Haggag mosque. AFP
  • A portico at the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, on the Nile near Luxor. AFP
    A portico at the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, on the Nile near Luxor. AFP
  • A colonade at the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, on the Nile near Luxor. AFP
    A colonade at the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, on the Nile near Luxor. AFP
  • Tourists pose for pictures before gigantic statues at the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III near Luxor. AFP
    Tourists pose for pictures before gigantic statues at the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III near Luxor. AFP
  • The Colossi of Memnon, which have sat for 33 centuries on the west bank of the Nile outside Egypt's southern city of Luxor. AFP
    The Colossi of Memnon, which have sat for 33 centuries on the west bank of the Nile outside Egypt's southern city of Luxor. AFP
HWJN
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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.

Expert advice

“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”

Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles

“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”

Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre 

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”

Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
 

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Blah

Started: 2018

Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and talent management

Initial investment: Dh20,000

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 40

Brief scores:

Southampton 2

Armstrong 13', Soares 20'

Manchester United 2

Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who's who in Yemen conflict

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Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

MATCH INFO

What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

Golden Dallah

For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.

Al Mrzab Restaurant

For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.

Al Derwaza

For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup. 

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

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Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

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THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now