Minister: Restoration of al-Maridany Mosque costs LE 30M

CAIRO - 28 October 2018: Minister of Antiquities, Khaled al-Anany, stated that the restoration of Amir al-Maridany Mosque in El-Darb el-Ahmar district in Cairo faced several problems due to groundwater and sewage, which negatively affected it.

During the inspection of the renovation process, Anany revealed that the initial cost of the restoration works amounts to LE 30 million, financed by the European Union. The restoration of the eastern court, which includes the mihrab, the mimbar (the sheikh's platform) and the inner hall, is expected to be completed within 26 months. The courtyard area and the outer corridor will be then renovated.

The minister pointed out that the drainage network of the mosque is not up to standards anymore, and it is being restored, as those entities should always be looked after. Anany also pointed out that the deterioration of infrastructure negatively impacted the historical mosque. According to Anany, renovation works of some parts will be completed in two weeks, pointing out that the pulpit was stolen in the 19th century, and was later regained.

"The renovation of al-Zaher Baybars Mosque will cost an extra LE 150 million," concluded the minister.The Mosque of Amir al-Maridani dates back to the era of the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt. Located just outside Bab Zuweila, it was built on the outskirts of medieval Cairo by Amir Altinbugha al-Maridani, with significant help from Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad.

The mosque has a hypostyle plan similar to the Mosque of al-Nasir, and its exterior walls feature typical Mamluk architecture. At the time of its building, it was one of the most extravagantly decorated mosques in Cairo, marked by the first fully octagonal minaret and large dome. Its history and luxuriousness are directly correlated to the life and prominence of Maridani, as it was built under the patronage of his father-in-law, Sultan Muhammad and with significant donations from Maridani's own expense.