Shrine of al-Sayyida Ruqayya

Shrine of al-Sayyida Ruqayya

The shrine is named after Sayyida Ruqayya, the daughter of Ibn Abi Talib, a Caliph. Today, the shrine is still being used to make vows and pray to Sayyida for divine intercession, and Sayyida is seen as a patron saint of the city. The building was also used to pinpoint the phase of the moon, wherein people could decipher the beginning months of the Arabic calendar. An important architectural feature is the muqarnas, which look like stalactites hanging from the dome. There is also a band in kufic script that wraps around the dome.

Julia Cristales

Tarek Torky "Shrine (Mausoleum) of Sayyida Ruqayya" in Discover Islamic Art, Museum With No Frontiers, 2019. 2019. http://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;isl;eg;mon01;5;en

“Mashhad Al-Sayyida Ruqayya.” Archnet. Accessed October 1, 2019. https://archnet.org/sites/1541.

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