The Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-As is the first mosque established in Egypt and Africa. It is located close to the old Cairo in Fustat city.
Amr Ibn Al-As Amr Ibn Al-As was one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Caliph Umar Ibn Al-Khattab commanded him to enter Egypt in 641 AD / 20 AH. After he conquered Egypt and abolished Roman rule, Egypt became an Islamic district belonging to the caliphate in Medina.
Then, Amr Ibn Al-As established the first Islamic capital in Egypt and Africa, Fustat. In addition, a mosque holding his name (Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque).
The history of Fustat city: The researchers said that after the Arab conquest of Egypt, Amr Ibn Al-As ordered the Islamic army to set their tents north of Babylon Fort, but when Amr Ibn Al-As came to remove his tent to go ahead to Alexandria for pursuing the Romans, he found that there was a dove built its nest upon it. He refused to remove it and left his tent in that place.
After he won in Alexandria, Caliph Umar Ibn Al-Khattab refused Alexandria as the capital of Egypt and ordered Amr Ibn Al-As to establish a new capital to be the first Islamic capital in Egypt and Africa. So he returned to his tent, where the Nile River and Babylon were fortified because it was a unique strategic location already fortified. He called this new capital Fustat, meaning leader’s tent in Arabic.
Today, Fustat is a part of the Old Cairo District, housing many archaeological sites such as the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the hanging church, and the Cave church, to name a few.
Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque: Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque, also known as the Old Mosque, is called in the Arabic language (al-‘Ateeq).
Some of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) assisted in the foundation of this mosque, such as Al-Zubayr Ibn Al-‘Awam and Ubada Ibn Al-Samit. This mosque was built after a year of Arab conquest of Egypt, meaning in 21 AH.
Initially, the mosque was built with mud bricks, and palm tree trunks supported its roof. Addings continued in the mosque throughout history until it became what it is today.
