After the Glory of Independent Egypt of the ancient Egyptian Era and a glorious period of the Greek period, Egypt became a part of the conquest of the Roman Empire in 30 BC. It entered an unstable period known for political and religious disturbances. From 30 BC until 641 AD, Egypt remained a Roman province and later a Byzantine one. It was characterized by decline in many sectors of life. Throughout this time, the political and economic conditions were in total deterioration. In addition, Roman authorities were unceasing dogmatic persecution against Coptic Orthodox Egyptians.
In 641 AD, when ‘Amr Ibn Al-As’ the Arab Muslim commander, conquered Egypt leading a military campaign against the Byzantine Romans forces. The native Egyptians welcomed him as a true liberator. Even the Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt logistically helped the army of Muslims. Accordingly, it facilitated the Muslims to take the Roman fortress of Babylon, located in southern Cairo today, after a seven months siege.
General Amr marched to conquer Alexandria. He placed the city under a full enclosure for a few months. However, the Byzantine emperor Heracleon died. His widow Martina accepted the withdrawal of Roman troops from Alexandria. She summoned Ciros (Muqauquis), then exiled the Byzantine former governor of Egypt to negotiate with the Arab Muslims. Mainly, the basis of the withdrawal of Roman troops was for safety and soundness from the city of Alexandria. Thus the two sides signed the withdrawal Covenant. Finally, the Romans withdrew in 642 AD. from Alexandria.
In 654 AD, the Byzantine Romans tried to regain Alexandria with huge phalanxes relocated aboard a large navy. Nevertheless, this military campaign faced a complete failure for the Byzantines. Manuel, the commander of the Roman troops, was captivated. They signed another withdrawal pact. Since then, Egypt has become a Muslim country. Tolerance is essential to the rules of Islam. The new invaders took the hearts of the Egyptians with generous treatment. Gradually, people began to convert to Islam without force. The process of full Arabization of the country took until the tenth century.
As the events of the conquest, the Arab army encamped in the empty area and wide behind the fortress of Babylon. Nowadays, it is known as the district of Misr Al Qadima ‘Old Cairo’ or the Coptic District. As expected, the commander Amr reassembled the foundation of the new capital, called ‘Al Fustat‘ in southern Cairo. The city of Al-Fustat was the first Islamic Capital established in Egypt and the whole of Africa.
The name ‘Al-Fustat’ in Arabic means tent. Some historians reported a legend about a dove putting and incubating eggs on the tent of the high Muslim commander Amr Ibn Al Aas. He ordered the camp dismantled before the advance against the Romans in Alexandria. Therefore, when he saw the dove sitting on her eggs on top of his tent, he refused to dismantle the tent. Then, he left it like that and went to battles against the Byzantine Troops in Alexandria.
The word Fustat came from the Greek term Fustatum, which means strong or fortress. It was a clever choice of his to select Alfustat as the new city. The reason is that, it is a strategic site protected by the Nile in the west, and by the mountains of Al-Moqatam in the east.
The first mosque built that bears the name of Amr Ibn Al Aas; is located in the new city center. It surrounds by palaces and seats of government and administration of the country. The city grew up more and more. It was indeed one of the most beautiful cities in the Islamic world. Al-Fustat was famous for its civilian and religious buildings like mosques, palaces, Mansions, factories and crafts, public baths, and markets.
After the founding of the Fatimid, Cairo, 969 AD, Al Fustat remained in economic and cultural splendor until 1169 (565 AH). Unfortunately, Shauar, the vizier of the last Caliph Al-Fatimid Al-Azid Li-Dinillahhad, set fire to the whole city on the pretext of preventing the advance of the crusaders in the country. Consequently, such devastating fire and damages resulted in the disappearance of the old town Al-Fustat.
The Fatimids Shiites have established a strong state in North Africa. However, their dream was to take over Egypt and become the seat of its growing power. Therefore, they tried to achieve this unacheived dream twice until 969 AD (258 H). The third attempt was a successful one. Following this, the Fatimid commander ‘Gawhar Al Siquili’ conquered Egypt. Consequencely, the Fatimid caliph Al-Muiz Lidin-Ellah had ordered his commander Gawhar to establish a new capital for the Fatimid Caliphate. Therefore, Gawhar chose a privileged site and a vast area of land. This land was part of the extension of the three former capitals; Al Fustat, Al Asskar, and Al Qatai.
According to Al Maqrizi, one of the great historians of the time, Gawhar built a surrounding adobe wall for the new city. Before the beginning of construction, the astronomers convened to launch a good omen for the new town. The Astronomers placed bells with twine stretched across wooden poles around the site. In addition, they requested the workers to begin constructing upon hearing the ringing of bells.
Coincidentally, a crow landed on one of the cords. The fallen caw led to ringing the bells. Immediately, the workers started working in the construction. They thought that the astronomers touched the camping. Then, the astronomers shouted: No, Al Qahir, lord of the orbit is in sky. Literally, ward Alqahir means the victorious. It was the title of the planet Mars. Thus, Al-Qahira, in Arabic, means the Victorious. It is the name given to the new capital of Egypt.
Another version mentioned that Caliph Al Muiz named the new city –Al Mansouriah. Later, he changed his opinion. He called it Al Qahira which means the Victorious or the Victories City.
Originally, Cairo was a royal city during the Fatimid Dynasty. It was dedicated only to the very high class of the aristocracy and the royal family. The Caliph Al Muiz entered Cairo in 973 AD, accompanied by all the members of his family and the whole court. He settled in the palace built by Gawhar. Since then, Cairo became not only the capital of Egypt but also the capital of the entire Fatimid Caliphate.
After the decline of the Ayyubid dynasty and during the first era of the Mamluk Dynasty, during the XIII and XIV centuries, Egypt became a strong power and an unrivaled political, economic, and cultural Centre. Cairo was the most powerful and prosperous city in the Middle East. Egypt flourished in the reigns of great Sultans like Qutuz, Qalawan, and Al Nasser Mohamed. The Mamluks’ wealth of the east-west trade developed Egypt economically and politically. There were tremendous artistic and architectural activities in all the cities of the Mamluk kingdom in Egypt, Syria, and Palestine, especially in Cairo. Mamluks constructed mosques, schools, mansions, palaces, factories, and markets in Cairo. Indeed, it was the capital to be the heart of the Muslim world.
Panorama Pyramids Tower. Entrance 1. Apt. 202 – 2nd floor. Al Haram St. Mashaal. Al Haram. Giza. Egypt.
