PM Modi Arrives in Egypt For Two-Day State Visit

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

• Al-Hakim mosque, a significant Islamic religious site of 11th Century.
• It is situated in Cairo, Egypt near Khan El Khalili bazaar.
• It is also known as Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah Mosque.

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.