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Although it looks like a cancer tumor, the Mosque of Abu l-Haggag must be seen as more than just a coincidental intruder of the Luxor Temple.
Firstly, as the mosque was built, large parts of the temple was covered with earth. Secondly, it is not unlikely to recreate a religious kinship between the ancient Egyptian cult place and the local version of popular Islam. At least, when the temple was unearthed in the late 19th century, locals resisted fiercly any attempt to tear down the mosque. For them, the geographical position was important, and a new mosque also dedicated to Abu l-Haggag has never become very popular.
Abu l-Haggag was a Sufi shaykh, born in Baghdad, but he spent the latter half of his 90 years in Luxor. He died here in 1243, but it is believed that the minaret is older than him, dating back to the 11th century. The mosque itself has been rebuilt many times, and completely in the 19th century.
Abu l-Haggag is Luxor's main saint, and his mosque is the core of local religious activities. Locals believe that his mosque is a particularly important religious spot, full of baraka, divine blessing.
