PM Modi Arrives in Egypt For Two-Day State Visit

Subject : International Relations

Section: International events

Concept :

PM Modi began his maiden state visit to Egypt by holding discussions with the “India Unit” in the Egyptian Cabinet.
This India Unit was set up earlier this year following the State Visit of President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to India as Chief Guest for Republic Day 2023.
The India Unit is headed by the Prime Minister of Egypt Mustafa Madbouly, and comprises a number of Ministers and senior officials.
This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 26 years.

Key highlights

The Prime Minister began his visit with discussions with Egyptian Prime Minister Madbouly and top Cabinet ministers to deepen trade relations and further strengthen the strategic partnership.
He also met the members of the Indian diaspora and the Bohra community.
His meeting with the Bohra community members comes ahead of his visit to Cairo’s historic Al-Hakim Mosque, restored with the help of India’s Dawoodi Bohra community.
The Bohra community in India originated from the Fatima dynasty and they have renovated the mosque from the 1970s onwards.
He will visit the Heliopolis War Cemetery to pay respects to the Indian troops who gave their lives in the ultimate act of valour for Egypt during World War-1.

About Heliopolis Memorial:

Here the names of nearly 4,000 Indian soldiers who fought in Word War 1 in Egypt and Palestine are commemorated.
The Heliopolis Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery also commemorates 1,700 Commonwealth soldiers who died in World War 2.
Role of Indian Army in West Asia in First World War
The Indian troops played a key role in securing the Suez Canal in Egypt and in Palestine.
Here Indian cavalry participated in the Battle of Haifa, commemorated in New Delhi in a war memorial.
Indian soldiers also played a key role in Mesopotamia in the First World War.

Al-Hakim mosque Egypt

History and Architecture

During the rule of Al-Hakim it was constructed from 990 CE to 1013 CE.
Hence it is a 11th Century structure.
The architecture of mosque has taken inspiration from various styles for instance Fatimud, Mamluk and Ottoman.
It was decorated with elegant calligraphy, geometric patterns on the walls of mosques.
It has large courtyard and the indoor areas.
It also has attractive marble flooring on the surface and adorns decorative tiles of wood near ceilings.