Ahmed el Inglizi facts for kids
Ahmed el Inglizi, also known as Ahmed El Alj or Ahmed Laalaj, was an English architect and engineer. He worked for the Sultan of Morocco, Mohammed ben Abdallah, in the 18th century. His name "El Alj" means "the Renegade," which meant he had changed his religion from Christianity to Islam. He might have worked with the famous Salé Rovers, who were a group of sailors based in Salé.
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Ahmed el Inglizi: The English Engineer
Ahmed el Inglizi was a skilled architect and engineer from England. He became famous for his work in Morocco during the 1700s. He served the powerful Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah. His unique background as an Englishman who adopted Islam made him a valuable and interesting figure in Moroccan history.
Building the City of Essaouira
Ahmed el Inglizi is well-known for his contributions to the city of Essaouira. A French engineer named Théodore Cornut first designed and built much of the city. This included the main fortress area, known as the Kasbah. This part of the city held the royal buildings and homes for Christian traders and diplomats.
Ahmed el Inglizi then helped to build important parts of Essaouira. He was especially involved in creating the strong entrance to the city's harbour. His work helped make Essaouira a well-protected port city.
Working in Rabat
Ahmed el Inglizi also worked for the Sultan in the city of Rabat. One of his key projects there was restoring the Kasbah Mosque. This mosque was a very old building, dating back to around 1150. His efforts helped to preserve this historic structure.
Besides the mosque, Ahmed el Inglizi was also in charge of building several important fortifications in Rabat. These defenses helped protect the city from attacks. His engineering skills were clearly important for the safety and development of Moroccan cities during his time.