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Dec 3 • 22 tweets • 10 min read
Cats in Egypt have had a longer history than they have had in almost any other part of the world. Egypt was likely the first place where cats were domesticated 10,000 years ago & are still much loved today

It’s Caturday & to celebrate the weekend, a thread on the cats of Cairo…
1/ Cairo has a long history of caring for cats, which goes all the way back to the origins of the city and is firmly rooted in Egyptian culture, Islamic beliefs and sense of practicality #Caturday
2/ In Islam, cats are considered clean animals & the only animal to allowed to enter the Great Mosque of Mecca. There are many stories in the history books referencing Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) love of cats

A cat sleeping on Aq Sunqur Shrine in the Blue mosque, Cairo
#Caturday
3/ Cats have earned their keep as useful members of society in Cairo. In the days of old cats kept vermin away, which meant less food lost & fewer instances of disease

Cats in Cairo #Caturday
4/ A cat sleeping on the streets of Cairo #Caturday
5/ Based on their practical uses, cats have an important place in Egyptian culture. The citizens of Cairo have created practices that allow cats to flourish. And some breeds of cats have even become synonymous with the country

Cat in Cairo #Caturday
6/ In Islamic tradition, cats are admired for their cleanliness. They are thought to be ritually clean, and are allowed to enter homes and even mosques. Many cats will be found in mosques in Cairo #Caturday
7/ Cats are no strangers to mosques in Cairo #Caturday
8/ Cats are loved and cared for by the people of Cairo #Caturday
9/ Cat in Cairo #Caturday
10/ Cat in Cairo #Caturday
11/ Cat on the streets of Cairo #Caturday
12/ Cat in Cairo #Caturday
13/ Cat in the Khan El Khalili District of Cairo #Caturday
14/ Cat in Cairo #Caturday
15/ Cats in Cairo #Caturday
16/ Cat in Cairo #Caturday
17/ Cats in Cairo #Caturday
18/ Cat in Cairo #Caturday
19/ Cats in Cairo #Caturday
20/ Cat in Cairo #Caturday
21/ Cats in Cairo #Caturday

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More from @BaytAlFann

Bayt Al Fann Profile picture
Dec 4
Calligraffiti is an artform that combines calligraphy & graffiti. It is an aesthetic experience & provocation—mixing tradition with self-expression. Calligraffiti is an urban art as much as it is a gallery art & is used to reclaim space

A thread on Arabic Calligraffiti Artists…
1/ Egyptian Artist Negmedine creates bold installations for both public and gallery spaces, challenging our perceptions of the possibilities of Arabic calligraphy. He has taken his own unique vision to calligraffiti, adding a new twist to this artform…
2/ Mohammad Alshafie Aka. Chaf is a Jordanian calligraffiti artist, digital painter and graphic designer.

Here is a calligraffiti work in progress…
Read 19 tweets
Bayt Al Fann Profile picture
Dec 2
“Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers”
- Kahlil Gibran

As winter is upon us, a thread on beautiful mosques from around the world, in the snow…
1/ Mosque in the snow, Turkey
2/ Mosque in the snow, Palestine
Read 22 tweets
Bayt Al Fann Profile picture
Dec 1
Rooted in the ancient traditions of Roman & Byzantine bath houses, the Hammam was introduced to Islamic culture as a means for people to cleanse before prayer. As they grew in popularity, these beautiful bathhouses were found next to mosques & medinas

A thread on the Hammam…
1/ Cleanliness is an imperative part of life in Islamic societies, & washing rituals are performed before prayers. In the past, the lack of indoor plumbing & reliable hot water made hammams a necessity and a welcome treat. These public spaces were decorated beautifully too
2/ Hammams played a central role in promoting hygiene and public health, but they also served as meeting places where people could relax and socialise
Read 24 tweets
Bayt Al Fann Profile picture
Nov 30
Jali is a beautiful characteristic of architectural decoration in Indo-Islamic & Mughal architecture

Meaning ‘gauze’ or ‘net’ in Urdu, Jali is a perforated stone or latticed screen with an ornamental pattern, featuring geometry or floral motifs

A thread on the art of jail…
1/ A jali, is an open frame structure of interlaced patterns created by generations of skilled workers & artisans, with materials like stone, wood and metal strips or any other building material

Jali at Amber Fort Palace
2/ The Jali lets us see out but not be seen - this was especially useful for the Islamic values of modesty & privacy
Read 19 tweets
Bayt Al Fann Profile picture
Nov 27
Artists have been using paper as a form of expression for thousands of years, through paper folding and intricate cutting techniques. Today, artists are redefining the art of paper.

Here are 24 contemporary paper artists inspired by Islamic geometry & pattern

A thread…
1/ Zubin Jhaveri is a Mumbai based paper sculptor and designer. After graduating from art college, he set out on a journey of self discovery and expression, experimenting with geometric paper sculptures

NEBULA artwork
Layered paper cut art with 25 layers of 300gsm paper.
2/ Rania Mousa creates paper artwork by repeating patterns. Inspired by Islamic geometry, origami and parametric design, she transforms sheets of paper into neat three-dimensional framed installations. Each piece is handmade with precision, patience and care.
Read 26 tweets
Bayt Al Fann Profile picture
Nov 26
The art of Henna has been practiced in South Asia, Africa & the Middle East for over 5000 years. The botanical name of the henna plant is Lawsonia inermis. A member of the Loosestrife family, henna originally comes from Egypt.
 
A thread on the art of henna in Muslim cultures...
1/ The English name henna comes from the Arabic term الحناء (al-ḥinnā). The name henna also refers to the dye prepared from the henna plant and the art of temporary tattooing from those dyes. Henna has been used for centuries to dye skin, hair & fingernails as well as fabrics
2/ Modern scientists discovered that henna is antibacterial, antifungal, & anti-hemorrhagic & it has historically been used for medicinal purposes. However, although the use of henna has branched out since its discovery in North Africa its most popular use is still beautification
Read 26 tweets

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