Standing directly opposite the older Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo’s Citadel Square, Al-Rifai Mosque was built with a singular ambition: to match its neighbor’s grandeur, while serving an entirely different purpose — as the final resting place of Egypt’s royal family.
A 43-Year Undertaking
Construction began in 1869, commissioned by Queen Khushyar Hanim, mother of Khedive Ismail, replacing a small 12th-century shrine known as the Al-Dakhirah Mosque. What was intended as a modest project grew into a massive undertaking, taking 43 years and passing through several architects — including Max Herz — before its completion in 1912. Built in the neo-Mamluk style, the mosque was deliberately designed to echo the grandeur of Sultan Hassan Mosque across the square, part of a broader 19th-century effort by Egypt’s rulers to connect their reign to the glory of the country’s earlier Islamic history.
The Royal Mausoleum
Also known as the Royal Mosque, Al-Rifai serves as the mausoleum of Egypt’s Muhammad Ali dynasty, holding the tombs of figures including Khedive Ismail and King Farouk, Egypt’s last reigning king. Notably, the mosque is also the final resting place of the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, whose mausoleum remains open to visitors.
Visiting Al-Rifai Mosque
The mosque sits directly across from Sultan Hassan Mosque, making the pair an essential, easily combined stop on any Islamic Cairo visit.
Explore our Islamic Cairo Architecture Tour →, visiting Al-Rifai Mosque alongside Sultan Hassan Mosque, Ibn Tulun Mosque, and the Gayer-Anderson House.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is buried at Al-Rifai Mosque?
The mosque serves as the royal mausoleum of Egypt’s Muhammad Ali dynasty, including Khedive Ismail and King Farouk, as well as the last Shah of Iran.
Why was Al-Rifai Mosque built to resemble Sultan Hassan Mosque?
It was deliberately designed as a companion piece across the square, part of a 19th-century effort to connect Egypt’s rulers to the legacy of the country’s earlier Islamic architecture.
How long did Al-Rifai Mosque take to build?
Construction spanned 43 years, from 1869 to 1912.
