Ibn Tulun Mosque

The Ibn Tulun mosque, completed in 879 AD and the oldest still functioning mosque around. It was "closed" while we were there, so there was no one else around. It was very peaceful.

The outside wall on the right, with the original mosque on the left.

We were joined by our family friends, the Griffiths who are visiting Cairo from Bangkok. Inside the mosque, women cover their hair. I made sure that my scarf matched my shirt. Egyptian women wear such beautiful and colorful hijabs.

In most mosques you remove your shoes. For some reason they had us wear booties instead.

Ike's booties made him trip a lot.

This is the ablution fountain, no water in it though.

The inside of the dome.

This spiral minaret is unusual here in Egypt. It resembles the minaret of the Samarra mosque in Iraq. Legend has it that Ibn Tulun wound up a piece of paper in order to demonstrate what type of minaret he wanted.

Ike will find rocks to throw wherever he goes.