THE MOSQUES OF EGYPT \ 5.THE MAMLUK PERIOD, 648 - 923H. (1250- 1517 A.D.) .   41- THE MOSQUE OF QIJMAS AL- ISHAQI (ABU HARIBA) 884- 886H.(1479- 81) . THIS MOSQUE is situated in the Darb al- Ahmar district. It was founded between 884 and 886H. (1479- 1481) by the Amir Qijmas al- Ishaqi, one of the Cirassian Mamluks, who occupied several posts in the second half of the ninth century H. (15 th A.D.) , until he became Amir Akhur (Master of the Horse) , during the reign of al- Ashraf Qayt- Bay. It may be regarded as one of the most important mosques built during the reign of Qayt- Bay, on account of the high standard of skill shown in the various crafts employed in its decoration, e.g., the colour- harmonies of the marble panelling, the fine stone- carving, and the splendid wooden ceilings beautifully decorated and gilded. All this bears witness to the skill of the architects and craftsmen of the period. The mosque is built on a higher level than that of the road, the lower part being occupied by shops. The entrance, which is reached by a flight of steps, is decorated with beautiful coloured marble, with two bands of inscription to right and left, each containing a Qur'anic verse and the date of completion, 886H. It has a brass plated door, carved with geometrical ornament. To its left stands a minaret of three storeys, the first being octagonal, the second cylindrical and the third a pavilion composed of marble columns supporting the cap. To the left when ascending to the entrance is a sabil with a kuttab above. The dome above the mausoleum, situated behind the entrance, is simple externally, contrary to most domes of the period. The most remarkable feature in the faades of this mosque is the decoration carved on the stone lintels of the doors and windows, the engaged corner- pillars and their stalactite capitals. The entrance leads to a square vestibule covered by a beautifully decorated wooden ceiling, surrounded by a band of inscription, comprising some Qur'anic verses ending with the date, "the month of Sha'ban, 884H." To the left of the vestibule is a sliding door with two halves, similar to modern ones. This door opens into an arched corridor leading to the sahn. The mosque, which is built according to the cruciform madrasa plan, is composed of a covered sahn with a skylight in the centre, surrounded by four iwans, two larger ones facing each other and two smaller side ones. The walls of the qibla iwan are covered with a high marble dado, in the centre of which is a mihrab of fine coloured marble, inscribed with the name of "'Abd al- Qadir, the decorator", already referred to in our account of the Mosque of Abu Bakr Muzhir. At the side of the mihrab is a wooden minbar, decorated with geometrical panels, inlaid with ivory and zarnashan. This minbar is one of the finest examples, and displays the magnificence of Arabic woodwork. In the upper part of the mosque walls are windows of pierced stucco, decorated with coloured glass. The floor of the mosque is paved with coloured marble in geometrical patterns, similar to those of the mosques of Qayt- Bay, Abu Bakr Muzhir and Uzbak al- Yusufi. In the southern wall of the qibla iwan is a door leading to the mausoleum, which is covered by a simple dome; its floor is paved with coloured marble. The Department for the Preservation of Arab Monuments completely restored this mosque in 1894. Plates 133- 138.
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