Summary

• The Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, built in 641 A.D by the Arab commander Amr Ibn Al-Aas, is Egypt’s first mosque and the oldest in Africa.
• Established on the site of Amr’s tent, marked by a dove’s nest, the mosque became the heart of the new Islamic capital, Fustat.
• Originally a modest structure made from palm wood and mud bricks, it underwent multiple expansions and restorations over the centuries, reflecting evolving Islamic and local architectural styles.
• The mosque symbolizes the advent of Islam in Egypt and stands as a vital religious, cultural, and historical landmark.
• Beyond its spiritual role, it commemorates Amr Ibn Al-Aas, a key figure in Egypt’s early Islamic history and military conquest, offering visitors a profound glimpse into the origins of Islamic civilization in North Africa.

Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque was the earliest building of its kind in the history of Egypt. It was constructed in 641 A.D by Commander Amr Ibn Alas, and it was the first mosque to ever be built in the whole of Africa. The mosque was built on the location of his tent because a dove nested in his tent and laid an egg, so he took the dove nest as a good omen of God’s will, and this site became the capital of Islamic Egypt.

The mosque had a modest structure, as it was built using palm leaves and trunks and mud bricks. It’s really hard to know the original appearance of the first building, as it was destroyed and rebuilt in the 7th century.

Who is Amr Ibn Al-Aas?

Amr Ibn Al-Aas was a prominent Arab military leader, diplomat, and companion of the Prophet Muhammad, known primarily for his significant role in the early Islamic expansion across North Africa and his role in the conquest of Egypt. He was born in Mecca around 585 CE and became one of Islam’s persistent supporters.

His diplomatic skills and military acumen were highly regarded, earning him assignments of great importance within the Muslim community. Amr Ibn Al-Aas was instrumental in expanding the reach of Islam and establishing new governance structures within the territories he conquered.

One of his most enduring legacies was his conquest of Egypt in 640 CE, which brought the region under Muslim rule for the first time. This conquest is historically significant, as it marked the beginning of a new era for Egypt, transitioning it from Byzantine to Islamic rule.

Amr founded Fustat, the first Islamic capital of Egypt, and constructed the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas, a landmark symbol of the Islamic presence in Egypt and Africa. Known for his intellect, persuasive diplomacy, and fierce loyalty to his faith, Amr Ibn Al-Aas remains a highly regarded figure in Islamic history.

Explore the Grand Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas Location

The Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas is located in the heart of Old Cairo, specifically within the area of Fustat, Egypt’s first Islamic capital. According to tradition, the location for the new capital city of Fustat was chosen by a symbolic event involving a bird. Before attacking Alexandria in 641, Amr ibn al-As, under orders from Caliph Umar, set up his encampment on the eastern side of the Nile. Just before departing for battle, a dove laid an egg in his tent.

Upon returning victorious, Amr needed to establish a new capital, as Umar had forbidden the use of Alexandria. Inspired by the dove’s egg, Amr chose this site as the center of the new city, Fustat (or “City of the Tents”), where he built a Grand Mosque on the spot of his tent. The mosque stands as a central landmark in what is today part of Cairo’s vast historic quarter. It is easily accessible for visitors interested in exploring the ancient Islamic heritage of Cairo.

Fustat, where the mosque is situated, is part of the Misr al-Qadima district (Old Cairo) and is a short distance from other prominent historical sites, such as the Coptic Quarter, where the Hanging Church and other Coptic monuments can be found. This proximity highlights the area’s rich cultural blend, where Islamic, Coptic, and even older Pharaonic influences intersect.

Its location near the banks of the Nile River allowed Fustat to develop as a bustling trade and military hub under Amr Ibn Al-Aas’s leadership, giving the city and the mosque itself enduring strategic importance in both religious and administrative spheres. This helped make the mosque a cherished site in Islamic Cairo, serving as both a place of worship and a historic landmark open to visitors and pilgrims worldwide.

Learn About the Grand Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas History

The Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas holds the distinction of being the first mosque constructed in Egypt and all of Africa, which was built in 641–642 CE, shortly after Amr Ibn Al-Aas’s conquest of Egypt. Its original structure was simple and modest, reflecting the early mosque design principles and intended primarily as a place for prayer and congregation.

The mosque was initially a small, rectangular building made of palm trunks, mud, and reeds, covering only about 30 by 17 meters with no decoration, minarets, or even a roof in parts. Over centuries, the mosque underwent extensive renovations and expansions, adapting to the architectural styles and needs of successive Islamic dynasties. By the time of the Abbasid caliphs in the 9th century, the mosque had been enlarged and embellished, featuring additional columns, arches, and a minaret.

Subsequent rulers, including the Mamluks, Ottomans, and the modern Egyptian government, contributed to the preservation and restoration efforts that helped maintain the mosque’s structural integrity. Despite these modifications, the mosque remains true to its historical essence as a symbol of the Islamic foundation in Egypt.

The mosque’s architecture today reflects a blend of early Islamic and later Egyptian styles, offering visitors a unique glimpse into Cairo’s layered architectural and cultural heritage. As one of Egypt’s most revered Islamic sites, the mosque not only serves as a place of worship but also as a testament to the country’s rich Islamic history.

Explore the Epic Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque Construction

In 640 A.D, the Muslim army led by General Amr Ibn Al Aas was able to capture Alexandria (The capital of Egypt during the Greco-Roman Period) and move to modern-day Cairo to attack the powerful fort of Babylon along the Nile. The mosque was built in the place of Amr Ibn Alas’s tent in the city of Fustat (Arabic word for the tent), which became the capital of Muslim Egypt. Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque was rebuilt so many times over the years, as in 827 A.D, the mosque was rebuilt, doubled in size, and arcades of columns were erected.

In 1172, the city of Fustat was burned by the crusaders and restored by the great ruler Saladin. After years of decay because of the coming of Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops to Cairo in 1798, the last renovation to the mosque was in 1875. The mosque can incorporate elements of Greek and Roman architecture and holds 150 white marble columns, three minarets designed in a very simple manner, also has an open court surrounded by four Riwaqs, the largest being the Qiblah Riwaq.

The Marvelous Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas Facts

• The Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas is historically recognized as the first mosque in both Egypt and the African continent, marking a significant milestone in Islamic architecture and history.
• The mosque’s original structure was simple and austere, primarily built with organic materials like mud and palm wood. It has been reconstructed and expanded numerous times, integrating different architectural styles over the centuries.
• It was built shortly after the Muslim conquest. The mosque served as a symbol of the new Islamic administration and became a central point for religious, political, and social life in Fustat, the first Islamic capital of Egypt.
• The original mosque measured only about 30 meters by 17 meters. However, with each expansion phase, it grew substantially, and today it covers a much larger area to accommodate its role as a major religious site.
• True to the early Islamic architectural style, the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas is known for its simplicity, especially in its original form. Unlike later mosques adorned with intricate tilework and lavish designs, this mosque has historically been more austere, embodying the simplicity of early Islamic design.
• It is believed that Amr Ibn Al-Aas was buried close to the mosque, underscoring his lasting connection to the site and his foundational role in Egyptian Islamic history.
• For centuries, the mosque has also served as a center for Islamic learning, where scholars and students would gather to discuss religious texts, study jurisprudence, and gain insight into Islamic teachings.
• The Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas, in the current moment, is not only an active site for prayer but also a cherished historical monument, drawing visitors who wish to connect with Egypt’s rich Islamic heritage.
• The mosque embodies centuries of Islamic presence in Egypt, offering an enduring connection to the life and legacy of Amr Ibn Al-Aas and the establishment of Islamic civilization in North Africa.