Egypt Prayer Times
Islamic prayer times (namaz and salah) for every city in Egypt: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and Azan times, updated daily.
Islamic prayer times for Egypt. PrayerAll provides accurate daily prayer schedules for 18 cities across Egypt. Prayer times in Egypt are calculated using the Muslim World League method. Main timezone: Africa/Cairo. All prayer times include Fajr, Sunrise, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. Times are updated daily and calculated based on each city's geographic coordinates. Source: PrayerAll.com – Global Islamic prayer time reference for Muslims worldwide.
Choose Your City in Egypt
Select your city to get accurate prayer time using Recommended method
Zagazig
Fayoum
Minya
Sohag
Cairo
Alexandria
Giza
Shubra El Kheima
Port Said
Aswan
Asyut
Luxor
Suez
Tanta
Mansoura
Ismailia
Hurghada
Sharm El Sheikh
Islamic Resources for Egypt
Muslims in Egypt can check prayer times (namaz and salah) for cities like Zagazig, Fayoum, Minya, updated daily with the trusted Egyptian General Authority of Survey (EGAS) method.
General Prayer Time Questions
How accurate is the prayer time for Egypt?
The Egyptian General Authority of Survey (EGAS) is the official body responsible for determining prayer times in Egypt. The Egyptian method uses 19.5° for Fajr and 17.5° for Isha, calculations that have been refined over centuries of astronomical observation. This method is widely used across Egypt and has influenced prayer time calculations in neighboring African countries. Egypt operates on Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+2) and does not currently observe daylight saving time, having discontinued the practice in 2014. Prayer times in Egypt are remarkably consistent due to the country's location near the Tropic of Cancer. The call to prayer (adhan) resonates from thousands of mosques across the country five times daily, creating a distinctive soundscape in Egyptian cities and villages alike.
Why are prayer times different between apps and mosques?
Prayer times can vary slightly due to different calculation methods, angles for Fajr and Isha, and whether the location uses summer time adjustments. We use the most widely accepted method for each region.
Which prayer time should I use to break my fast during Ramadan?
You should break your fast at Maghrib (sunset) time. This is when the sun has completely set below the horizon. The Maghrib time shown is calculated precisely for your location.
Is the sunrise time shown a prayer time?
No, sunrise is not a prayer time. It marks the end of Fajr prayer time and the beginning of the prohibited time for prayer. You cannot pray when the sun is rising until it has risen completely (about 15-20 minutes after sunrise).
About Egypt
Egypt holds a central place in Islamic history as one of the earliest regions to embrace Islam outside the Arabian Peninsula. Home to over 90 million Muslims comprising approximately 90% of its population, Egypt serves as a major center of Islamic scholarship through Al-Azhar University. The country's strategic location along the Nile and its ancient civilization create a unique backdrop for Islamic practice and tradition.
Islamic Heritage in Egypt
Islam arrived in Egypt in 641 CE when the Muslim army led by Amr ibn al-As conquered the region during the Rashidun Caliphate. The establishment of Fustat, and later Cairo, marked the beginning of Egypt's transformation into a major Islamic center. The construction of the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, Africa's first mosque, symbolized the permanent establishment of Islam in the region and set the foundation for Egypt's rich Islamic architectural tradition.
Al-Azhar University, founded in 970 CE during the Fatimid Caliphate, became the world's premier institution of Islamic learning and continues to hold that distinction today. For over a millennium, scholars from across the Muslim world have traveled to Cairo to study at Al-Azhar, making Egypt an intellectual beacon for Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and Arabic linguistics. The university's fatwas and religious rulings carry significant weight throughout the Sunni Muslim world.
Egypt's Islamic heritage is visible throughout its landscape, from the medieval mosques and madrasas of Islamic Cairo to the Sufi shrines dotting the countryside. The country has produced numerous influential Islamic scholars, including Imam al-Shafi'i, founder of the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence, whose tomb in Cairo remains a major pilgrimage site. Egyptian Islamic art, characterized by intricate geometric patterns and arabesque designs, has influenced Muslim artistic traditions worldwide.
Prayer Time Practices in Egypt
The Egyptian General Authority of Survey (EGAS) is the official body responsible for determining prayer times in Egypt. The Egyptian method uses 19.5° for Fajr and 17.5° for Isha, calculations that have been refined over centuries of astronomical observation. This method is widely used across Egypt and has influenced prayer time calculations in neighboring African countries.
Egypt operates on Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+2) and does not currently observe daylight saving time, having discontinued the practice in 2014. Prayer times in Egypt are remarkably consistent due to the country's location near the Tropic of Cancer. The call to prayer (adhan) resonates from thousands of mosques across the country five times daily, creating a distinctive soundscape in Egyptian cities and villages alike.
Major Mosques in Egypt
Al-Azhar Mosque
Cairo
Founded in 970 CE, Al-Azhar is one of the oldest mosques in Egypt and home to the prestigious Al-Azhar University. Its name means 'The Radiant' and the mosque features stunning Fatimid architecture with later Mamluk and Ottoman additions. It remains the spiritual heart of Sunni Islamic scholarship.
Capacity: 20,000 worshippers
Mosque of Muhammad Ali
Cairo Citadel
Built between 1830 and 1848, this Ottoman-style mosque dominates Cairo's skyline from its position atop the Citadel. Known as the Alabaster Mosque for its marble cladding, its twin minarets and large central dome are iconic symbols of Cairo. The mosque was modeled after the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul.
Capacity: 10,000 worshippers
Mosque of Amr ibn al-As
Old Cairo
Africa's first mosque, originally built in 642 CE by the commander who led the Muslim conquest of Egypt. Though rebuilt and expanded numerous times, it remains on its original site and continues to serve as an active place of worship. The mosque represents the beginning of Islam's presence in Africa.
Capacity: 15,000 worshippers
Sultan Hassan Mosque
Cairo
A masterpiece of Mamluk architecture completed in 1363, this mosque-madrasa complex is considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world. Its massive portal, soaring minarets, and intricate stonework demonstrate the pinnacle of medieval Egyptian craftsmanship.
Capacity: 8,000 worshippers
Al-Hussein Mosque
Cairo
One of the holiest Islamic sites in Egypt, believed to contain the head of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Located in the heart of Khan el-Khalili bazaar, it draws millions of pilgrims annually and is especially crowded during Mawlid celebrations.
Capacity: 10,000 worshippers
Qaytbay Mosque
City of the Dead, Cairo
Built in 1474 by Sultan Qaytbay, this mosque is renowned for its exquisite dome decorated with intricate arabesque patterns carved in stone. It exemplifies the refined architectural style of the late Mamluk period and houses the sultan's mausoleum.
Capacity: 3,000 worshippers
Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque
Alexandria
Alexandria's largest mosque, built in 1775 over the tomb of the 13th-century Andalusian Sufi saint Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi. The current structure dates to 1943 and features beautiful Andalusian-influenced architecture with cream-colored walls and an ornate interior.
Capacity: 12,000 worshippers
Ramadan in Egypt
Ramadan in Egypt transforms the country into a festive celebration of faith, community, and tradition. Streets are adorned with colorful fanous (Ramadan lanterns), a tradition dating back to the Fatimid era when Egyptians welcomed the caliph with lanterns. The Egyptian fanous has become an iconic symbol of Ramadan throughout the Arab world. Cannon fire (midfa al-iftar) traditionally signals the breaking of the fast at sunset.
Egyptian Ramadan traditions include elaborate iftar gatherings featuring classic dishes like foul, mahshi, and the beloved drink qamar al-din (apricot juice). Charity tables (mawa'id al-rahman) line the streets, offering free iftar meals to anyone in need, reflecting the Egyptian spirit of generosity. Taraweeh prayers are well-attended, with many mosques hosting renowned Quran reciters. The nights come alive with special Ramadan programming, mesaharati (dawn drummers) waking people for suhoor, and families gathering in cafes until the early hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What calculation method is used for prayer times in Egypt?
Egypt uses the Egyptian General Authority of Survey (EGAS) method, which calculates Fajr at 19.5° and Isha at 17.5° below the horizon. This method has been developed through centuries of Egyptian astronomical tradition and is the official standard throughout the country.
Does Egypt observe daylight saving time?
No, Egypt discontinued daylight saving time in 2014. The country operates on Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+2) year-round, which means prayer times remain relatively consistent without seasonal clock changes.
What is the significance of Al-Azhar in Islamic scholarship?
Al-Azhar University, founded in 970 CE, is the world's oldest degree-granting university and the most prestigious center of Sunni Islamic learning. Its scholars issue religious rulings (fatwas) that are respected throughout the Muslim world, and it trains Islamic scholars from over 100 countries.
How do prayer times vary between northern and southern Egypt?
Due to Egypt's north-south span of approximately 1,000 kilometers, prayer times can differ by 10-15 minutes between Alexandria in the north and Aswan in the south. The difference is most noticeable during winter months when days are shorter.
What is the traditional Egyptian Ramadan lantern (fanous)?
The fanous is a decorative lantern that originated in Egypt during the Fatimid Caliphate (969-1171 CE). According to tradition, Egyptians welcomed Caliph al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah to Cairo with lanterns. Today, the fanous is an iconic symbol of Ramadan throughout the Arab world, with Egyptian craftsmen producing intricate handmade designs.
Where is Imam al-Shafi'i buried in Egypt?
Imam al-Shafi'i, founder of the Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence, is buried in the Southern Cemetery of Cairo in a mausoleum built by Saladin in 1211. The site remains an important pilgrimage destination for Muslims, particularly followers of the Shafi'i madhab.
What are mawa'id al-rahman in Egypt?
Mawa'id al-rahman, meaning 'tables of the Merciful,' are charity tables set up during Ramadan to provide free iftar meals to the poor, travelers, and anyone in need. This Egyptian tradition reflects the Islamic emphasis on charity and community during the holy month, with mosques, businesses, and individuals sponsoring these tables.