Al-Hakim Mosque

Religion and Propaganda in Fatimid Egypt

Housni Alkhateeb Shehada

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Hardback

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English

Edinburgh University Press
07 October 2025

Religious buildings; Middle Eastern history; Early history: c 500 to c 1450&1500; History of religion; Islam

Series: Edinburgh Studies in Classical Islamic History and Culture

This study explores the distinctive features of Fatimid ideology and propaganda, as demonstrated in the largest and most notable mosque of this era, built in Cairo during the Fatimid period (909-1171 AD). It specifically examines the numerous Quranic inscriptions decorating various parts of the mosque. These inscriptions are scrutinized in light of Arabic theosophic writings from the same period. This study also highlights the mosque's significance as a primary medium for Fatimid propaganda (da'wa), aimed at disseminating Fatimid religious ideology throughout the Islamic world. A substantial part of this work is dedicated to the figure of Imam al-kim, who played a key role in the completion of the mosque bearing his name and was revered as a divine representative on Earth.

By: Housni Alkhateeb Shehada
Imprint: Edinburgh University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781399538732
ISBN 10: 139953873X
Series: Edinburgh Studies in Classical Islamic History and Culture
Pages: 312
Publication Date: 07 October 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Housni Alkhateeb Shehada, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer at The Academic College Levinsky-Wingate, Tel Aviv, and Bezalel, Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem. His academic activities and interests concern classical Arabic and modern literature; Islamic history with particular attention to the treatment of animals; history of art, particularly Islamic art and architecture, and contemporary Palestinian art (including curations of exhibitions and their catalogues). He has also published two books of Arabic poetry.

Reviews for Al-Hakim Mosque: Religion and Propaganda in Fatimid Egypt

Housni Alkhateeb Shehada's coverage of the subject is comprehensive both in terms of material and references. His approach to the inscriptions found inside and outside the mosque is innovative. No similar monograph has been devoted to this topic.--Frédéric Bauden, University of Liège This book deals with a fascinating topic, namely the messages conveyed by the structure of the mosque associated with the sixth Fāṭimid Imam-Caliph, al-Ḥākim bi-Amr Allāh and in particular by the Qurʾānic verses adorning both the exterior and the interior. Richly illustrated, it has the potential of making a significant and original contribution to Islamic history and thought, Islamic art and architecture and Qurʾānic studies.--Camilla Adang, Tel Aviv University