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ArTanit Magazine Edition

Sidi Amar Kammoun

Sidi Amar Kammoun represents one of the most important
icons of Sfaxian Sufism of the 18th century. Nowadays, it
still keeps very important place in the Sfaxian community.
Mahmoud Megdiche has devoted a big part of his book
Nouzhat El Anthar (Arabic: ‫ )نزهة األنظار‬to highlight his
qualities and accomplishments.

He received much of his education from his master, Sheikh

Sidi Ameur El Mzoughi, and was very close to Murad II Bey.

©histoiredesfax.com ©readtiger.com

Comparing to the other mausoleums of the medina, Sidi Amar

Kammoun mausoleum differs by the hybrid architecture of
its minaret which combines both the old local style and
Moroccan influences imported by the Hafsids and the
Ottomans.

The minaret, of square shape, culminates at a height of

9,30 meters. Its summit is equipped with a platform
crowned with merlons2.
 Sidi Amar Kammoun mosque
(arabic: ‫جامع سيدي عمر‬
‫ )كمون‬is one of the most
important and famous
mosques of the medina of
Sfax.

The mosque is located in

borj ennar street , in
the eastern neighborhood of
Bab Al Diwan. It is
integrated as part of the
famous mausoleum of Sidi
Amar Kamoun.

The minaret of the mosque

was built in a second phase
in 1659 , which was built
in 1630 by order of Murad
Bey II.

This addition was made by

Sidi Omar Kamoun himself
who sponsored all
construction expenses from
his own resources.

Apart of its religious

function, the building
played a huge defensive
role during wars as it
provided the soldiers with
a full clear view of the
coastal facade of the
medina from the minaret.

©histoiredesfax.com
Sidi Amar Kammoun mausoleum
(Arabic: ‫)زاوية سيدي عمر كمون‬
is one of the most famous
mausoleums of the ancient
city of Sfax.

The mausoleum is on Borj Ennar

street, very close to the city
walls. It is located in the
East Bab Al-Diwan
neighborhood. The top of the
minaret offers a panoramic
view of the facade of the
medina facing the sea.

The choice of this location

or place for the building is
linked to the close
relationship between the
family of the saint who is
buried there, Sidi Amar
Kammoun, and the sea, since
his father was a sailor (rais
in Tunisian dialect).

The mausoleum was established

in the eighteenth century by
order of Murad II Bey (1666-
1675) as an expression of
gratitude to Sidi Amar
Kammoun who treated him for a
disease he got during one of
his official visits to Sfax.
The minaret was added later in
two stages , between 1636 and
1666 by Sidi Amar Kammoun, who
himself took in charge all the
expenses of his construction
thanks to his personal
fortune.
©zaherkammoun.com
 In addition to its religious and spiritual role, the
mausoleum provides a very important defensive role during
several crises thanks to its strategic geographical
situation which allows the surveillance of the coastal
facade of the medina from the minaret not only during a
conflict with Sicily but also during the conquest of
Tunisia by France.

Article about SIDI AMAR KAMMOUN

 ar.wikipedia.org
 zaherkammoun.com
 histoiredesfax.com
 owlapps.net