Al Sahaba Mosque

Introduction

Al Sahaba Mosque is the centrepiece of the Old Market in Sharm El Sheikh and the one landmark recognisable from every angle in the town. Construction began in 2011 and it opened on 24 March 2017, designed by the Egyptian architect Fouad Tawfik Hafez. It folds Ottoman, Fatimid and Mamluk traditions into a single modern Islamic form: twin minarets of 76 metres, a prayer hall of about 3,000 square metres, and space for more than 3,000 worshippers. The exterior carries more than the interior. The facade is carved from golden-brown stone with dense geometric patterns and Arabic inscriptions, and the entrance portal uses the Egyptian tradition of alternating red, black and pale stone bands. Inside, the prayer hall runs on red carpet with gilded calligraphy and large chandeliers concentrated along the central axis. If you are short of time or it is too hot, viewing the facade from the square is enough. This is an active place of worship, not a sight. Non-Muslims may enter between prayers, free of charge, but women must cover arms, legs and head and men arms and knees. Robes and scarves are provided at the door, or bring your own. The mosque closes to visitors during prayer times, including the morning prayer around 8:00-9:45, and on Friday midday, and you may wait for the previous group to come out. Come at dusk. The Old Market only really comes alive in the evening, when the grill stalls, spice shops and souvenir tables light up and the mosque's own floodlights come on, giving the facade more depth than it has by day. Treat it as one stop on a walk through the market rather than a destination of its own. The mosque also houses an Islamic cultural centre and a multilingual library, with imams who speak English and French. Travellers who want to understand local Muslim practice can ask here, and that is what distinguishes it from an ordinary sightseeing mosque.

✨ Highlights

🛈 Practical Info