Quick answer
The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As in Old Cairo stands on the site of the first mosque in Egypt and Africa, founded in AD 641–642 by the Arab general who conquered Egypt, at the heart of his new capital, Fustat. Rebuilt and enlarged many times, today it is a vast colonnaded courtyard of reused ancient columns, free to visit outside prayer times and a five-minute walk from Coptic Cairo.
Who was Amr ibn al-As, and why is the mosque here?
Amr ibn al-As was the Arab commander who took Egypt from the Byzantine Empire in 639–642, and he built his mosque at the centre of Fustat, the garrison town he founded beside the Roman fortress of Babylon. The fortress, whose walls still stand in Coptic Cairo, surrendered in 641 after a siege, and Alexandria followed in 642.
Fustat grew into Egypt's capital and a great trading city for three centuries, until the Fatimids founded al-Qahira to the north in 969. The mosque remained Fustat's congregational mosque, a place of teaching and of legal judgements as well as prayer. Our history of Islamic Cairo follows the city from here to the Ottomans.
How much of the original mosque survives?
Almost none: the first building was a small mud-brick hall roofed with palm trunks and fronds, and what you see is the result of more than a dozen rebuildings. Early sources describe it as roughly 29 by 17 metres, with no minaret and no courtyard of the kind you see now; treat those dimensions as approximate.
- 827: the Abbasid governor Abdallah ibn Tahir doubled it in size, setting roughly the footprint of today's mosque.
- Fatimid and Mamluk eras: repeated restorations, including after Fustat was deliberately burned in 1168 to keep it from Crusader hands.
- Late 1790s: the Mamluk bey Murad Bey rebuilt much of it shortly before Napoleon's arrival, and the minaret dates from around this time.
- 20th century: large restorations rebuilt the arcades and roof.
So come for the history and the atmosphere of the site rather than for early Islamic architecture, which you will see far better at the Mosque of Ibn Tulun of 879.
What should you look at inside?
The great open courtyard, the forest of reused marble columns in the prayer hall, and the simple domed fountain in the centre.
- The columns: well over a hundred, taken from Roman and Byzantine buildings, so no two capitals quite match, and some shafts were trimmed or stacked to reach the right height. Look for Corinthian acanthus leaves and the odd carved cross that has been turned or plastered.
- The qibla wall: the deep hall on the southeast side, facing Mecca, with the mihrab and minbar used for Friday sermons.
- The courtyard: bright and calm, ringed by arcades of pointed arches; families often sit here outside prayer times.
- The surroundings: from the doorway you can see the towers of the churches of Old Cairo, a reminder that this quarter has been shared by Christians, Jews and Muslims for 1,400 years.
When is the best time to visit?
Weekday mornings, between prayers, are quiet and cool; avoid Friday midday, when the mosque is full for the main congregational prayer. Prayer times shift through the year, so check them on the day or ask your guide.
The mosque comes alive during Ramadan, when tens of thousands come for evening prayers, especially on the last Friday and on the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr) near the end of the month. The surrounding streets fill with lanterns and food stalls after sunset, and the crush can make sightseeing impractical. Non-Muslims are best visiting by day at that time, and should expect the building to be busier and more devotional than usual; see our guide to travelling during Ramadan.
Getting there and combining it with Coptic Cairo
The mosque is a five-minute walk north of the Hanging Church, and Mar Girgis station on Metro Line 1 is just across the road. By car it is about 20–30 minutes from downtown and 45–60 minutes from Giza, depending on traffic.
Most visitors add it to a half-day in Coptic Cairo, with the Hanging Church, Abu Serga and Ben Ezra Synagogue. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization on the Fustat site is a 5–10 minute drive, and the Roda Nilometer is across the small arm of the Nile.
Dress code and visiting tips
Cover shoulders and knees, women should bring a scarf for their hair, and shoes come off at the door. Entry is free; a small tip for the shoe attendant is usual, and robes or scarves may be offered for a small fee.
- Be quiet near people praying and do not walk in front of them.
- Photography is generally fine in the courtyard; ask before photographing worshippers.
- Carry socks, as the stone and carpets can be hot or dusty.
Guides are welcome to explain the building inside, but keep commentary low. Our guide to visiting mosques in Egypt covers etiquette in more detail.
Mosque of Amr ibn al-As: FAQs
Is the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As the oldest mosque in Africa?
It stands on the site of the first mosque built in Egypt and Africa, founded in AD 641–642. The building itself has been rebuilt so often that almost nothing of the original survives; the Mosque of Ibn Tulun (879) is the oldest Cairo mosque that survives largely in its original form.
Can non-Muslims visit the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As?
Yes, outside prayer times. Dress modestly, remove your shoes, and women should cover their hair.
Is there an entry fee?
No. It is an active mosque and free to enter, though a small tip for the shoe attendant is customary.
How far is it from Coptic Cairo?
About a five-minute walk north of the Hanging Church, beside Mar Girgis metro station.
What was Fustat?
The garrison town and capital founded by Amr ibn al-As in 641, beside the Roman fortress of Babylon. It was Egypt’s capital until the Fatimids built al-Qahira (Cairo) to the north in 969.