In the footsteps of U.S. President Barack Obama Commander of U.S. Central Command, General David Patrios visited yesterday the Sultan Hassan mosque, which Obama visited June 4 during his visit to Cairo. Sources at the U.S. embassy in Cairo said that Patrios chose Sultan Hassan mosque, to see the place Obama visited and talked often about, pointing out that the U.S. general was 'very happy' with the architectural style of the mosque, and asked many questions about the mosque and the history of its interior. The source added that Patrios visits to the mosque, accompanied by his team, and a delegation from the embassy, and that the delegation also visited the citadel and Mohamed Ali mosque, before heading off to Washington.
Very much like Obama, Patrios and the delegation accompanying him took off their shoes when entering the mosque of Sultan Hassan in respect, although Patrios wore 'slippers' specifically designed for entry into mosques when visiting Mohamed Ali Mosque in Al-Qalá. Accompanying the U.S. General in his trip was the tour guide Iman Abdul Fattah who was also with Obama and the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton during their round of the mosque. Fattah holds a dual Egyptian-US citizenship and has a MA in Islamic antiquities. Sultan Hassan bin Mohammad bin Nasser Qalawun, started building the mosque in the year 1356 and completed it in 1363 although he died before the end of its construction. Later on one of his Princes, named Bashir Aljmadar continued its construction in 764 AH (1363). The body of Sultan Hassan has never been found, and he was not buried in the shrine which was built in the mosque. However his two sons were buried there later.
