Al Mustafa Mosque

Al Mustafa Mosque is a decorated mosque in Naama Bay, Sharm El Sheikh, in South Sinai, Egypt, close to the main promenade. Its location makes it a striking contrast to the bars, restaurants and shisha cafes nearby: a short walk from the busiest part of the bay leads to a calm building with a minaret, domes and ornamental detail that serves the Muslim residents and workers of the resort. The mosque is a working place of worship, and its call to prayer is a regular part of the soundscape of Naama Bay. Exterior features include arched doorways, patterned stonework and a minaret that is lit in the evening. Visitors who are interested in architecture or local religious life can walk around the building and, at suitable times, enter the prayer hall if the staff allow it. A visit usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Entry is free and no ticket is required, but conduct matters: shoulders, arms and knees should be covered, women should cover their hair, and shoes are removed before entering. Visits should avoid the five daily prayer times, and Friday midday prayers in particular bring large crowds. Because the mosque is close to the promenade, it is easy to combine with a stroll along the waterfront. The best photographs of the exterior are taken in the evening, when the lighting contrasts with the glow of the promenade. It is generally quiet outside prayer times, and the surrounding area is busier after dusk. Visitors should speak softly, avoid photographing worshippers, and ask before taking photographs inside. The mosque is reached on foot from Naama Bay hotels and the promenade, or by taxi from other bays for about EGP 100-250.