Mamluk Architecture & Egyptian Museum

Today I got to see the most beautiful building I've seen in Egypt so far. In fact, I'd say it's the most beautiful interior of a building I've ever seen.

Here's a little bit of history about the Mamluk dynasty, which is quite interesting:

The Egyptian army had become very weak because of the many wars with the Crusaders. So they had to reinforce the army. Either they had to buy soldiers, or they had to pay mercenaries. In general, the Muslim army didn't like to pay mercenaries because the enemy could pay him more and he would switch sides. So they bought soldiers. They started asking slave merchants to bring young men so that they could be soldiers. So the merchants started bringing young men from Southern Russia/Northern Turkey. This area had been ravaged by the Mongols, so the people were starving here--this is how they recruited the men.

The ones chosen for the army were put in military school for 7-8 years. They had to learn Arabic, become Muslims, and learn military drill. Once they finished, these slaves became "Mamluks"--educated, military slaves. The Egyptians were mostly illiterate, so the Mamluks became the educated class, and in 1250 they took over power in Egypt. They were tremendous builders, bringing craftsmen from all over the world to build during this period.

This building is called the Complex of Sultan Qalawun. It is amazing.

Stucco window carving in the courtyard.

What do you think this mosaic says?

(Answer at the bottom of this post.)

This is inside the mausoleum, which was the best part of the complex. The whole thing was brilliantly decorated. Unlike the Fatimids before them, the Mamluk dynasty used color!

Artsy shot of the entrance to the complex.

After the trip this morning, I met Rachel and Henry at the Egyptian museum, since Henry and I hadn't been there yet. It's huge and packed with everything Egyptian.

Tomorrow is a walk/run around the pyramids for breast cancer...and then homework! I should have an update from that sometime tomorrow, إن شاء الل (insha' Allah, meaning "God willing"). Happy Friday!

The answer is "Muhammad".