[1] Yusuf Abu el-Haggag was born in Baghdad c. 1150 and is regarded as one of the Sharif, or one of the descendants of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Salam.

[2] Abu el-Haggag moved to Mecca, likely between the years 1190 and 1200,[3] and later settled in the upper Egyptian town of Luxor.

He then returned to Luxor and convened with Sheikh Abdal Rahim Al-Qanai, the owner of the Qena mosque.

His body was placed in a mausoleum located on the roof of the ancient church, which at this time was buried below ground level.

Ahmed Al-Hajj, the head of the Heritage Series at the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, states: “Based on my background and experience working in Luxor, I can say that the annual Sufi Mawlids are unique and highly anticipated rituals for the people of Luxor.”[5]