Top Visited Mosques in Cairo, Egypt

The capital city Cairo, Egypt, is the largest and most famous city in the Arab World. It is the largest city in the 19th century and is one of the world’s most densely populated cities. It is famous for its antique museums, exquisite mosques, and royal mummies because it has seen many influences from many ruling empires, especially the Ottoman and Mamluk empires. Therefore, Cairo is one of the most famous tourist attractions places globally.

Nearby Cairo, The Great Pyramid of Giza is situated, which is renowned for its historical and architectural masterpieces. Moreover, mosques are regarded as the second most important Islamic monument after the Great Mosque in Mecca. Therefore, the mosques of Cairo are pure tourist magnets.

The mosques in Cairo are notable for several reasons. These mosques have been standing for a thousand years and have remarkably distinctive architecture. On your visit to Cairo, you’ll hear many stories linked to each beautiful Islamic architecture.

Top Mosques To Visit in Cairo [10]

Great Mosque of Cairo

The Great Mosque of Cairo, also known as the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha or al-Masjid al-Aqsa, is the oldest and largest mosque in Cairo, Egypt. Located in the Citadel of Cairo, it was originally built as a palace for Muhammad Ali Pasha; it later became a mosque. It was built by architect Sinan for Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1872.

The Great Mosque of Cairo is the most visited in Cairo, Egypt. It is one of the unique ones in the Muslim world where both Shia and Sunni sects recognize it. The mosque is also well-known for its iconic design, designed by Hassan Fathy.

Muslims in Cairo, Egypt, and visitors from around the world come to the Great Mosque of Cairo to take part in prayers and join in on celebrations.

The mosque can accommodate up to 70,000 people at once, and it has six minarets that are each over 100 meters high. The Great Mosque is surrounded by gardens, fountains, and other religious buildings.

Al-Azhar Mosque

Al-Azhar Mosque is the most famous and one of the oldest mosques in Cairo, Egypt. Over a thousand years ago, it was founded by the Fatimid dynasty in 970 AD and had been a center for Islamic life in Cairo for centuries. This mosque has always been associated with Islamic knowledge and culture throughout history.

It is the most prestigious center for theological learning in the Muslim world and one of Islam’s holiest sites. Its name signifies “the radiant” in Arabic. The Al-Azhar Mosque is close to Cairo University and Tahrir Square; both are famous tourist spots.

Another significant reason for its popularity is Islamic education. Al-Azhar mosque is one of the most prestigious hubs for Islamic teachings and Sunni theology worldwide. The five minarets of the Al-Azhar mosque are designed according to different architectural styles and dynasties and symbolize what controlled the mosque.

Al-Sayeda Zeinab Mosque

Al-Sayeda Zainab Mosque is also one of the biggest mosques in Cairo and is famous for its historical importance. The mosque’s name was taken as an honor to Sayyeda Zainab bint Ali, the granddaughter of the prophet Mohammed. It was considered by the people that the mosque was built on the grave of Sayyeda Zaynab Ali, but there is no historical proof to support the claim.

The mosque has seven corridors parallel to the qibla wall and is covered with a dome-shaped structure. While you’ll find a light shaft in the front section, there’s a particular gate for women leading to the Mausoleum in the western facade. In addition, there is a mausoleum to the west of the mosque, encircled by a room made of golden/yellow copper.

Al-Hussein Mosque

Al-Hussein Mosque is also known as Imam Hussein mosque, which is the tomb of Husayn Ibn Ali. It is located near the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, near the famous Al-Azhar Mosque. It was originally constructed in Fatimid Architectural style.

Later on, Italian Gothic style and Ottoman-style minarets were also added in the time of Ismail Pasha. Recently, three large canopy umbrellas were added to the Al-Hussein mosque, which acts as a protection shield for the people who pray outdoors in the sun during the summer season and from the rain during the winter and rainy seasons.

Amr ibn al-As Mosque

 

Amr ibn al-As Mosque is a must-visit as the first African mosque built in the historic Cairo city during 641-642 AD. It was the fourth largest mosque in the Islamic world during the twentieth century. The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As or Taj al-Jawame used to be an important center of Islamic learning for 600 years.

Al-Hakim Mosque

Ibn Tulun Mosque

The Ibn Tulun mosque is the largest in Cairo with regards to the area and is the oldest one. This mosque is designed in an ancient architectural style of Egypt, and the wooden blocks and walls are carved in an exquisite design.

The decorations of the mosque are beyond imagination. Floral and geometrical designs on the arches give an elegant look. In addition, there are arched windows in the mosque’s interior, which provide sunlight during the daytime. The entire structure of the mosque is made up of red brick and stucco, with Inscriptions engraved at the mosque’s entrance.

Sultan Hassan Mosque

Sultan Hassan Mosque is a monumental mosque situated in the heart of Cairo, Egypt. It is famous for its incredible size and innovative architectural carved designs. It is located near the Al- Rifai Mosque, located on the right side. Also, there is a citadel near this mosque.

It was believed that the stones from the Pyramid of Giza were used to construct this mosque. People from all over the world, including craftsmen and artisans, showed their great interest in building this project. There is a large central courtyard in the middle of this mosque, and in the end, there is a tomb of a dome-shaped structure. The mosque’s exterior wall is made up of stone. Its interior wall is carved with a beautiful architectural design, whereas the facade is covered in stucco.

Sayyeda Aisha Qadriya Mosque

Sayyeda Aisha Qadariya Complex is a mosque with the tomb of Sayyida Aisha, the daughter of Jafar-al-Sadiq and the sister of Musa al-Kadhim. Currently, the mosque is a square-shaped structure and is surrounded by hallways.

Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz Mosque

Furthermore, Cairo is a city of at least 1000 mosques; it is worth exploring them not only for worship but to learn a lot more about the strong historic Islamic knowledge.

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