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Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi Mosque
Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi Mosque, also called Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas Mosque by locals, is the most historic and beautiful mosque in Alexandria. It was built primarily in 1775 A.D., overlooking the eastern harbour of Alexandria. Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi was an Andalusian scholar and saint who was born to a wealthy family. He and his family moved to Tunisia in the wake of increasing Christian control over Spain. Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi later moved to Alexandria, where he worked as a scholar and teacher for nearly 43 years. He was buried in a small building near the eastern harbour of Alexandria. Many Muslims from Egypt and Morocco who passed through Alexandria on their way to and from Mecca visited Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi's tomb.
The mosque’s current design was made by Mario Rossi, a famous Italian architect who designed many famous mosques in Egypt. It was a source of inspiration for many mosques, such as the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. To commemorate his birth, an annual festival is held around the Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi mosque. The festival is attended by many people from inside and outside Egypt.