The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As in Cairo is not merely the oldest mosque in Egypt but also one of the oldest surviving Muslim houses of worship in the entire world and a sacred symbol of the birth of a new civilization. Here, on the land of ancient pharaohs and Romans, the new Islamic capital—Fustat—was founded, from which modern Cairo traces its direct lineage.
The mosque serves as a living reminder of the rapid expansion of Islam in the 7th century and of the military commander who brought Egypt into the new faith.
History of Construction: A Military Tent That Became a Sanctuary
The construction of the mosque is inextricably linked to the Arab conquest of Egypt—one of the pivotal events in Mediterranean history.
Historical Context: In 640, the Arab army under the command of Amr ibn al-As, one of the closest companions of the Prophet Muhammad, invaded Byzantine Egypt. After capturing the Roman Fortress of Babylon, Amr founded a new military camp to its north, naming it al-Fustat (meaning "tent" or "camp"). This camp quickly evolved into Egypt`s first Islamic capital.
Date of Foundation: 641 CE (21 AH). This is the first dated mosque not only in Egypt but in all of Africa.
Legend of the Site: According to tradition, the mosque was erected on the very spot where Commander Amr`s campaign tent stood. A dove built its nest atop the tent, and Amr, seeing this as a sign, decided not to move the tent but to build a house of prayer in its place so as not to disturb the bird.
Original Appearance: The first mosque was extremely simple and functional: a rectangular plot enclosed by mudbrick walls, with a canopy of palm trunks and leaves resting on columns. It had neither a minaret nor a mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca), as these architectural elements appeared later. The floor was covered with pebbles. Its dimensions were approximately 29 x 17 meters.
Architectural Evolution: From a Modest Structure to a Monumental Complex
The current appearance of the mosque is the result of countless reconstructions, expansions, and restorations over 14 centuries. Each era left its mark:
Early Expansions (7th–8th centuries): The mosque rapidly expanded, becoming a monumental complex under governors and the first independent rulers, such as Musawiya I.
Natural Disasters and Rebuilds: The mosque repeatedly suffered from fires and earthquakes (the most serious in 750 and 1169 CE) but was rebuilt each time, often with an increase in area.
Mamluk and Ottoman Periods: In the 14th–15th centuries, minarets were added (the current one is a reconstruction), the mihrab was rebuilt, and new arcades were erected. In the 19th century, by order of the ruler Muhammad Ali, the mosque was practically rebuilt anew in the spirit of the era but with the preservation of the overall layout.
Modern Appearance: Today, it is an extensive, spacious mosque with a large inner courtyard (sahn), surrounded by arcades (riwaqs). The columns supporting the arcades are not uniform—they were taken from the ruins of ancient (Roman, Byzantine) and earlier Coptic structures, serving as a visible metaphor for cultural continuity. The austere forms, devoid of lavish decoration, reflect the ascetic spirit of early Islam.
Importance for the Islamic World and Place Among the Most Ancient Mosques
Cradle of Islam in Africa: The Mosque of Amr is the starting point for the Islamic history of an entire continent. It became not only a religious but also an intellectual center where the Egyptian school of Islamic law and theology began to develop.
Example of Early Islamic Architecture: Despite later reconstructions, it preserved the basic layout of the "Arab" or "hypostyle" type (a large courtyard surrounded by columned halls), which became a prototype for many subsequent mosques.
Does it rank among the most ancient? Unquestionably. It is among the first four mosques in the history of Islam built after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. This legendary cohort also includes:
• Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet`s Mosque) in Medina (622 CE)—the second mosque in history but repeatedly rebuilt.
• Masjid al-Haram (The Sacred Mosque) in Mecca—the oldest, but completely reconstructed.
• Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem (initial construction 636-637 CE)—also changed appearance repeatedly.
Thus, the Mosque of Amr, alongside these sanctuaries, is one of the pillars of the early Muslim community (ummah), although its present-day walls are not the original ones from the 7th century.
What is Interesting for Tourists Today:
• Sense of History: To stand on the spot where a new era for Egypt began over 1,300 years ago.
• Atmosphere of Tranquility: A spacious, light-filled hall with a "forest" of ancient columns creates a feeling of peace, rare for noisy Cairo.
• Archaeological Layers: Visible elements from different eras, including one of the oldest mihrabs in Egypt.
• Part of a Route: The mosque fits perfectly into a one-day itinerary of Old Cairo (Misr al-Qadima), being within walking distance of the Fortress of Babylon, the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, demonstrating the unique neighborhood of the three Abrahamic faiths.
The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As holds primary historical significance as the oldest surviving Muslim place of worship in Egypt and Africa, founded in 641 CE and marking the beginning of the Islamic period in the region`s history. Despite numerous reconstructions that radically altered its original appearance, the mosque has preserved the basic hypostyle layout characteristic of early Islamic architecture.
