Mosque of Amr ibn al-As

Mosque of Amr ibn al-As

Amr ibn al-As was an Arab general and statesman—shrewd, tenacious, resourceful, quick-witted, hot-tempered, eloquent, and warlike. His spontaneous actions won Egypt for the Islamic world. He was not only a successful military commander but also a capable administrator and astute politician. He established the taxation and judicial systems in Egypt. As one of the four great political geniuses of the early Arab Empire, he helped Muawiya defeat Caliph Ali, the most renowned warrior in the Arab world, and seize the throne—without raising a single soldier, relying solely on his wisdom. He ultimately died in Egypt, was buried in Egypt, and is celebrated in Egypt as the governor of the province.

The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As is named after Amr ibn al-As, as is the fortress that bears his name. This temple, built in 642 AD from palm trunks and fronds, is the first mosque in Egypt and indeed in Africa. After conquering the land, Muslim General Amr ibn al-As set up camp here, leading to the creation of the present-day mosque. Around it grew Fustat (Al-Fustat), the new capital of Islamic Egypt. Nearly 200 columns in the mosque were sourced from different quarries, and its spacious interior makes it a serene retreat away from the hustle and bustle of Cairo.

The site of the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As is now commonly known as the Multi-Religious Compound of Cairo. Its ancient courtyards and houses continue to embody the three major monotheistic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. When there are no major religious holidays, the mosque is open to visitors for tours.

Mosque of Amr ibn al-As

Must-visit reason: Egypt’s earliest established mosque

Continent where the attraction is located: Africa【Africa】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Egypt[Egypt]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Cairo Governorate [Cairo Governorate]

City where the attraction is located: Cairo [Cairo]