project Rise

Faith-based Heritage Preservation

Al-Jami al-Anwar, the Masjid of the Fatimid caliph al-Imam al-Hakim bi Amr Allah, in its restored splendour. The restoration of the masjid in 1980 ushered in a period of unparalleled prosperity for the Dawoodi Bohra community.
Al-Jami al-Anwar’s restoration brought about manifold blessings, serving as a powerful testament to the importance of preserving sacred heritage. Egypt’s holy shrines embody centuries of devotion and wisdom. By preserving them, we pay tribute to the Fatimid imams and express solidarity with Egypt’s people.
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin was instrumental in carrying out his predecessor Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s desire to preserve and protect Fatimid heritage in Islamic Cairo. At his father’s instructions, he personally oversaw the restoration of Fatimid places of worship and architectural monuments in Cairo dating back to the 10th through 12th centuries. These heritage preservation efforts began in the late 1970s with the restoration of the thousand years-old, al-Jami al-Anwar, which had suffered abject neglect for centuries. The restoration was distinctive in that it sought to restore the masjid not simply as a historic monument, a common practice in Cairo during the time, but as a living place of worship. In the 1990s, the restoration of other Fatimid-era masjids followed suit, including Masjid al-Lulua, al-Jami al-Juyushi, and al-Jami al-Aqmar.
A French artist depicts the ruined condition of al-Jami al-Anwar in 1843. The masjid remained in this state, its courtyard serving as a museum, then later a school, until the restoration in 1980.
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin is accompanied by his son Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin during the final days of the restoration of al-Jami al-Anwar.
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin’s commitment to these sacred spaces is illustrated in his continued collaboration with Egyptian authorities in ensuring their maintenance and upkeep. In 2017, Syedna initiated a second major restoration of these historic monuments, overseen by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The project addressed decades of damage caused by rising groundwater and pollution, and was successfully completed in 2023. His Holiness also funded the restoration of the sacred shrines of the Prophet’s ﷺ family in Cairo, complementing the government’s renovation of the historic structures that house them. These sites of devotion hold profound importance for Egyptians and Muslims across the world. His Holiness’ preservation efforts have created jobs, boosted tourism, and provided substantial support to the Egyptian government’s Urban Revitalisation Project for Historic Cairo. In August 2023, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi awarded Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin the Nile Sash, one of Egypt’s highest civilian honours, in recognition of his efforts and contributions to the nation.
In the 1990s, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin directly supervised the restoration of the masjids of al-Juyushi and al-Aqmar (right) under the guidance of his father Syedna Burhanuddin. Al-Aqmar was restored once again in 2023 in collaboration with the Egyptian government.
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin restored the sacred shrine of Imam Husain in Cairo, a popular pilgrimage and commemoration site for Egyptians. The sanctuary dates back to the Fatimid times and has seen contributions and patronage from various dynasties over the centuries.

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