Hurghada Mosque
Hurghada’s mosque, commonly known as El Mina Masjid, is a place of worship located in the city center near the marina. With its remarkable architecture, it attracts tourists in search of cultural riches. Its interior is as beautiful as its exterior, making it one of Hurghada’s top must-sees.
If you’d like to visit, here’s all you need to know before you set off. What to see at the Hurghada mosque? What should I wear as a woman? What are the opening hours? We answer these questions in this guide.
Practical information
Here’s what you need to know before visiting Hurghada’s Grand Mosque.
Price ?
Entrance to the Hurghada mosque is totally free. However, if you don’t have one, renting a woman’s prayer dress will cost you around ten Egyptian pounds.
It’s also possible to discover it as part of a guided tour of the city. The advantage of this offer is that you can benefit from details and explanations about the building thanks to your guide.
It’s a real asset when visiting a religious building. It is available here :
This offer includes a guided tour of the town, visiting the mosque, the church and the port, before strolling through the El Dahar district and doing some shopping.
Opening hours
The Hurghada mosque is open 24 hours a day for prayers. For sightseeing, the building is only open from 9am to 5pm (except during prayer times). It is closed to visitors during Ramadan and other major events.
Access
It’s very easy to get to. Located in the city center, opposite the Martyrs’ Square traffic circle (ميدان الشهداء), it can be reached from the sidewalk and all you have to do to enter the Hurghada Mosque compound is pass through the gate.
It’s also very close to the fish market and marina.
How long does a visit to Hurghada’s Grand Mosque last?
You can easily spend more than twenty minutes in Hurghada’s great mosque. Time to change your clothes, soak up the atmosphere and observe the architecture.
How does a visit to the Hurghada mosque work?
In these paragraphs, we’ll describe what you can expect to find when you visit the Hurghada mosque: architecture, interior, etc.
Admire the beauty of the façade
Once in front of the Hurghada mosque, you can’t help but admire its remarkable architectural façade. Islamic in style, it boasts two minarets 40m high and some twenty small domes, including a central one 25m high.
It is one of the largest buildings in the city and the most imposing mosque in the Red Sea governorate.
Usage guidelines
Before entering the religious building, dress code must be observed. Shoes are forbidden for both men and women. You’ll need to remove them before entering the small courtyard, where lockers await you.
For women, several parts of the body must be covered (shoulders, knees, hair, arms to wrists). You may also need to rent a prayer dress. These are available to the left of the entrance.
Entering the enclosure
The interior is beautiful, adorned with traditional oriental motifs and Islamic calligraphy. Stroll through the prayer room, admiring the large arches and walls filled with Koranic manuscripts.
Ceiling and chandeliers
All you have to do is look up to see the sublime ceiling, with its many small chandeliers.
Discover the latest wonder of the place: the ceiling features a spectacular chandelier in the center, the centerpiece of Hurghada’s mosque.
The dome just above is also interesting.
History of the Hurghada mosque
To give you a better idea of the place’s prestige, here’s a brief summary of the mosque’s history, from the time of its construction. Built in 1968, the old mosque was replaced by a new one, on which work began in 2006.
Opened to the public in 2012, the new building spans 8,000 meters. The building cost 20 million Egyptian pounds to construct. It is built entirely of white marble.
Frequently asked questions about visiting the Hurghada mosque
Although the answers to these questions are covered in the previous section, here you’ll find a summary of the mosque in Hurghada. They are presented in the form of a list to get straight to the point.
As a woman, do I have to cover up to get in? What if I don’t have a veil?
Yes, your hair, shoulders, knees, ankles and arms up to the wrists must be covered. You can wear your own scarf, but it’s usually not sufficiently covering. So, prayer dress is recommended.
They provide suitable clothing for entering the Hurghada mosque. You’ll find them at the entrance in a small hut to the left of the mosque, for around 10 Egyptian pounds. There’s a wide choice of dresses, and they’re suitable for all sizes.
They’re for rent, so all you have to do is slip them on over your clothes, visit the building and come back to drop them off again.
Can I take photos?
Yes, it’s okay to take photos without flash, in a respectful and discreet way. We recommend that you come early in the morning, as the light will be best. There will also be fewer people in front of the church at this time of day.
Can I pray in the Hurghada mosque?
Yes, everyone is free to pray. As in any religious building, it’s important to be quiet and respect the practice of others. You will undoubtedly find local people praying.
Please note that there is a dedicated area for tourists, to avoid disturbing them. English-language booklets on Islam are available free of charge.
This guide to the Hurghada mosque is coming to an end. You now know everything there is to know about this place of worship.
One of Hurghada’s most popular tourist attractions, it’s clearly worth a visit and a place on your must-see list. If you take the time to explore a little of the city center, you’re bound to pass it by.
