As you may have seen on your travels to other Islamic countries, mosques are often spaces reserved only for Muslim believers. Therefore, it is logical to ask if you can visit mosques in Egypt. In these lines, we provide an answer and even some suggestions for your trip.
Yes, Mosques in Egypt are Open to Visitors
Egypt, due to its tradition and its position of ‘centrality’ in the Muslim world, is also a country with a policy of openness towards other cultures and religions. Perhaps that is why it is relatively easy to visit mosques in Egypt, even if you profess another religion. All you have to do is go to them during opening hours for visits and never during prayer. And of course, respect a series of decorum measures, which are mainly:
- Dress discreetly: that is, do not wear shorts or tank tops (knees and shoulders must be covered)
- Women must cover their hair and avoid low-cut garments
- Take off your shoes when entering the prayer room
- Take photos respectfully, according to the mosque’s instructions: you can take photos of the architecture and decorative details, but not of people praying
- Do not eat or drink
- Keep silent and turn off your mobile phone
Some Mosques that You should not Miss
Being lucky enough to visit mosques in Egypt is something you should not miss because it is not so easy in other Muslim countries and, above all, because their beauty and history are incomparable. In this post on our blog, we already advised you on the 5 most interesting ones in the capital, Cairo:
- Mosque of Alabaster or Mehmet Ali, in the heart of the Saladin Citadel, whose visit is usually part of many circuits
- Al-Azhar Mosque: a spiritual center for all Islam, dating back to the 10th century
- Al Muayyad Mosque, an example of Cairo’s splendor in the Fatimid era and the subsequent rule of the Mamluks
- Al-Hussein Mosque: very close to the famous Khan el-Khalili market, it is one of the most important for the Shia branch of Islam
- Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, the oldest in all of Africa, as it was founded in the year 641, immediately after the Arab conquest of the country
Beyond those five mosques, there are others outside the capital that you should also visit for their historical, religious, and architectural interest.
Al Sahaba Mosque, in Sharm el-Sheikh
For many, it is one of the most beautiful mosques in Egypt. Of recent construction (opened in 2017), it is striking for its two large minarets of more than 75 meters in height and also for its rich materials, including marble. Its views of the Red Sea are another of its main attractions.
Mosque of Abu El Haggag, in Luxor
What makes the Abu el Haggag Mosque in Luxor unique is, among other things, its unique location: no more and no less than… inside a temple of Ancient Egypt! And not just any one, but one of the most sacred for that civilization: the Luxor Temple. Its original construction dates back to the Ayyubid period, that is, from the 11th century onwards, although it has undergone subsequent reconstructions. It is dedicated to a Sufi master of that period and of great devotion in the city.
Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi, in Alexandria
This is a mosque with origins in the 13th century, the time in which this Sufi saint of Murcian origin lived. It underwent subsequent reconstructions and the current temple dates from the 20th century, with a project by Italian architects: Eugenio Valzaina and Mario Rossi. Its refined domes are perhaps its most outstanding element. And like the previous ones, its location amplifies its beauty, in this case very close to the citadel of Qaitbay.
