Shahd Alhamdan

Saudi Gazette



Located on the streets of Al-Moez Leden Alah in the Fatimid Cairo are Islamic Archaeological museums in the form of ancient castles, old schools and mosques. A unique school turned mosque among a plethora of unpreserved architecture is Al-Ashraf Sayf Aldin Bersabia School.



This ancient school, now mosque, was named after Al-Ashraf Saif Aldin – an eighteenth century Burji Mamluk Sultan of Egypt. Scholars would gather to discuss and deliver Islamic lessons there.



The interiors of the mosque has marble tiles on its floors and walls;beautiful, colored, old lamps covered with dust are suspended from the roof; and black broad strips with dull golden calligraphy adorn the sides of the walls.



Aldin was not a sultan or prince by birth, he was a slave of Duqmaq Mohammadi; and therefore he was also known as Bersabia Duqmaq. Aldin’s master gave him to Sultan Al-Zaher as a gift, who later freed him. After the death of Al-Zaher, Aldin succeeded him as a Sultan and reigned the region for 17 years.



Under Aldin’s sultanate, the region flourished as he built schools, encouraged art and architecture, trade, captured Cyprus, among others.



Today, a lot of people visit the historical Bersabia School and enjoy praying there, all the while savoring its diminishing beauty. “No one is taking care of the mosque. It is filled with dust and the beauty of it has disappeared,” said Mohammed Awad, a visitor.