Project 365: Day 325

Luxor Temple is amazing, not only as an ancient monument, but also as a testament to the power of a holy place. There is evidence for some kind of temple there well into ancient history. When Egypt became a Christian country, the shrine of the temple was painted over and was converted to a church. Now parts of both church and original reliefs are beautifully preserved in some places:

Once Egypt converted to Islam, and the percentage of Christians shrank, the Church fell into disrepair. The sands eventually reclaimed the lower levels of the temple and the church, and a mosque was built on top, into the highest levels of the temple's columned hall. 

Now, after a restoration of the mosque after a fire a few years ago, the mosque is open to (the respectful) public, where you can see the amazing co-existence of ancient and modern religion. In so many ways, very little at all has changed. For example, in the niche above, which points toward Mecca, the niche is framed by Re (the sun god) on the left side of the photo and Amun on the right. Somehow, this divinity, the presence of spiritual energy in the place, managed to transcend time and a vast gulf in religious thought. 

This is an architrave showing Ramses II offering obelisks for the temple, which would have stood in front of the 1st Pylon of Luxor temple. It is absolutely incredible to be practically at eye level with these huge reliefs, meant to be seen from the floor so many meters below.

And at least here, for now, there isn't a problem. The mosque is good, a peaceful place respectful of Allah and the temple around it. Alhamdulillah.