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- Al Aqmar Mosque | Cairo | Egypt
Al Aqmar Mosque | Cairo | Egypt
Al Aqmar Mosque was built by al-Ma'mun al-Bata'hi, wazir of the Fatmid Khalif-Amir, in 1125. Click here to know more about Egypt Islamic history through Memphis tours!

Highlights of Islamic Cairo:
Some of the greatest sights of Islamic Cairo are located in Al-Muizz Al-Deen Street. This street was the main street in the city when it was built back in the 11th century and it is also where mausoleums and palaces were constructed. The northern section of the street (between Bab El-Fotouh and Al-Azhar Street) was recently restored and opened for visitors. This is one of the most picturesque parts of Cairo and that’s why people enjoy spending their time there. The Qala’un Complex here is one of the impressive sights in the city.
The southern part of Islamic Cairo offers some of Cairo’s largest Islamic monuments. One of the best examples of Islamic construction is Cairo’s Citadel. The construction of Cairo’s Citadel began under the Ayyubid general Salah Ad-Din Al Ayyubi in the 12th century. There are three notable mosques inside the walls of the citadel which are: Al-Nasir Muhammed Mosque, Suleyman Pasha Mosque, Muhammed Ali’s Alabaster Mosque, and Al Aqmar Mosque.

One of the impressive and oldest buildings of old Islamic Cairo down El Moez Street is Al Aqmar Mosque. This small, but unique mosque along Al-Muizz Street is one of the oldest buildings in Islamic Cairo. The builders of Al-Qahira, the walled city that today forms the core of Islamic Cairo, were the Fatimids, who ruled Egypt from 969 until 1171. Originating from present-day Tunisia, they conquered Egypt and installed their Shi’a Islamic ideology as the religion of the state.
Who built Al-Aqmar Mosque?
Al-Aqmar Mosque, or the Moonlight Mosque, has several unique architectural features. It was the first mosque in Cairo to use an offset façade—allowing the facade to remain square to the street front, while the rest of the building sits at an angle, aligning with the qibla, the direction of prayer toward Mecca.
Al Aqmar mosque was built during the Fatimid period in 1125 AD under the rule of Al-Ma’mun Al Bata’ihi. Some historians believe that the mosque was originally built during the caliphate of Imam Al Amir bi-Ahkami l-Lah; while others still claim that it was built during the caliphate of Al Mustansir.

The construction of Al-Aqmar Mosque:
The facade itself is also quite unique, decorated with three fluted hoods around the portal and to either side as well as beautiful inscriptions. Many of the features of this mosque later became common in Cairene mosque architecture. The Mosque’s façade is also known for its detailed stonework, while the interior part welcomes all its visitors with a fresh, cooling breeze.
Al Aqmar mosque is considered one of the first hanging mosques in the history of Old Cairo and was originally built higher than street level, above a shopping area and a souk. However, the mosque now appears to be at street level, as the shops kept going higher. The mosque was the first of its kind to be designed with an entrance parallel to the street and adjusted to align with the existing street plan, as opposed to facing the prayer’s Qibla, Mecca. Some historians claim that the mosque’s ceiling was re-done during the restorations of Mamluk Amir Yallugha Al-Salami as this type of architecture was unfamiliar during the Fatimid period.
- You Can Visit Al Aqmar Mosque by booking one of our Cairo Excursions.
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Plan Your TripِAncient Egyptian History
- The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt
- Alexander the Great | Egypt History
- Queen Hatshepsut | Luxor | Egypt
- Tutankhamoun King | Ancient Egypt Kingdom
- Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi
- King Ramses II: Facts, Accomplishments, Life and Death
- Sultan Mohammad Ali
- Amr Ibn Al-Aas
- The Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt
- The New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt
- Greco-Roman Period
- Early Islamic Period in Egypt
- Mamluk and Ottoman Period
- Egypt in the Modern Era
- Behind the Throne: Exploring the Life and Reign of Queen Cleopatra of Egypt
Cairo Attractions
- Al Aqmar Mosque | Cairo | Egypt
- Sultan Al Mansur Qalawun Mosque | Cairo
- Al Azhar Mosque | Cairo | Egypt
- Amr Ibn Al Aas Mosque | Old Cairo
- Mu’ayyad Mosque and Bab Zuweila
- Museum of Islamic Art | Cairo
- Sultan Hassan Mosque & Madrasa | Islamic Cairo
- Ibn Tulun Mosque and Gayer Anderson Museum
- Bayt Al Suhaymi in Cairo | Al Suhaymi House
- Cairo Opera House
- The Coptic Museum in Cairo
- The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
- El Ghorya | Attractions in Cairo Egypt
- Ben Ezra Synagogue | Coptic Cairo
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar
- Old Cairo and Coptic Cairo
- Salah El Din Citadel in Cairo | Egypt
- The Hanging Church | Coptic Cairo
- Al-Muizz Al-Deen Allah Street
- Downtown Cairo
- Zamalek / Gezira
- Islamic Cairo
- Souk Al Khayamiya | Tentmakers Bazaar
Alexandria Attractions
- Alexandria Travel Guide | Egypt
- Marsa Alam Information
- Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria | Fort Qaitbay Egypt
- Pompey's Pillar (Column) in Alexandria | Egypt
- Al Alamein | Mediterranean Sea Egypt
- Alexandria Library Egypt | Bibliotheca Alexandria
- Experience the Heart of the Mediterranean: Your Guide to the Best Things to Do in Alexandria, Egypt
- The Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqafa | Alexandria
- Greco-Roman Museum
- Lighthouse of Alexandria
- Montazah Park Alexandria | Egypt
Luxor Attractions
Aswan Attractions
Nile Valley
Red Sea and Sinai
Ports of Call
Lake Nasser
Egyptian Culture and Travel Info
Explore Cairo's museums, starting with the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and then head to the Egyptian Museum.
Discover Giza Pyramids Tour Visiting the Pyramids and the Sphinx, then the older Step Pyramid at Sakkara. Witness the greatest of Ancient Egypt in Cairo all in one day.
Sooth your night with Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise and oriental dance show on board of Nile Cruise Restaurant, Admire the lights of Cairo while enjoying a dinner with a belly dancing and Egyptian folklore show.
While your ship waits in Sokhna, escape to Cairo to see Ancient Egypt. This day trip will take you to see the Pyramids of Giza, guarded by the Great Sphinx, and the GEM. It is the perfect way to get a quick glimpse of Egypt’s ancient past.
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