First World War Black and White Postcard of an Egyptian Man Praying

c. 1915
Overview

A sepia-coloured artistic postcard showing a bearded Egyptian man at prayer. He is dressed in white robes and a turban and the front of his garment has several cloth buttons. He is kneeling on a mat and has hands positioned either side of his forehead. Part of another man can be seen to his right. In the background is a wooden balustrade and column. The postcard has damage to its bottom corners. The reverse has proforma printing and description of the image.

Historical information

Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark. Prayer includes a recitation of the opening chapter of the Qur'an and is sometimes performed on a small rug or mat used expressly for this purpose. Muslims can pray individually at any location or together in a mosque.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-12-2022.1.131
Item type
Postcards
Material
Card
Width
74 mm
Height or length
171 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On the reverse in machine printing “ARTISTIC POST – CARD / Serie 638 – The Cairo Postcard Trust – Cairo / Cairo – Native Praying. / 642”

Contextual information

The Cairo Postcard Trust (founded in the early 20th century) is one of the most famous and trusted publishers of vintage Egyptian postcards. These highly collectible, antique photographs and artistic illustrations document the golden age of travel in Cairo, capturing historical landmarks, bustling streets, and the pyramids.

Keywords
First World War
Prayer
Egypt
Place made
Egypt
Year
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Well provenanced
Google Maps search term / URL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gWHZtRH1mm24SAjK8
Last modified
Tuesday, 30 June, 2026
Completeness
100
Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Postcard Front
At Prayer
Back View
Reverse of Postcard

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