El Nabi Daniel Mosque — Attraction in Alexandria

The reason this place is so popular is the street is lined with bookshops.

I'll get to the bookshop part in a minute.

So, the mosque. It's hard to get internet line here, and you have to rely on people's directions. The entrance is small and you might miss it in the first place because it's not directly visible from the road. You have to walk in a bit.

People come here because of several theories, some say it is the tomb of Prophet Khidr. Some say it is the tomb of Prophet Danial. I walked inside and was greeted by the mosque caretaker, he brought me into a room with stairs leading downstairs. Then he proceeded to tell a lenghty story which, unfortunately, I can't understand because he's talking in Arabic. If you get to visit the tomb underground, do leave some tips for the masjid's renovation. I'm not sure if non-muslims are allowed in the masjid or the tomb area. You'd have to ask.

Now, the bookstores. My favorite place to get English books. Some shops sell second hand original copies. The others sell pirate copies for great bargains. If you want to get original ones you should go to Shrouk or Alef. The pirate ones are also good though. Of course if the book is just released, they'll try to sell it for a higher price.

Tip: if you want to buy a lot and get discount, buy from young sellers. Older sellers are harder to get discounts from. Try to bargain, not rip them off. They need the money too. (Survey prices before buying. I'm not sure if they will mark up prices...

The Nabi Daniel Mosque is a historic mosque in Alexandria named after Muhammad Daniyal al-Mawsili, a Kurdish Muslim scholar of the Shafi'i school of thought who was buried in the mosque.

The mosque is one of the places speculated to once have been the Tomb of Alexander the Great, while the actual tomb in the crypt of the mosque is erroneously attributed to the biblical prophet Daniel.

The building was built over the grave of the scholar Muhammad Daniyal al-Mawsili in 1790. In 1822, Muhammad Ali Pasha renovated and expanded the mosque.

Local traditions relate that the tomb of the Prophet Daniel was found at the site of the mosque. During the Rashidun conquest of Egypt, a coffin was found, and when the coffin was opened, a body covered in shrouds studded in gold was found. The deceased had a long nose and long arms. The Caliph Umar affirmed the body to be that of Daniel, and ordered that it be reburied with full security.

However, archaeologists disputed and debunked this story, saying that the entombed was the scholar Muhammad Daniyal al-Mawsili and not the Prophet.

One of the pictures is for an opening in the underground room of the tomb, which i think is the place where some tried to dig deeper and explore whether Alexander the great is actually buried there. I truly wish if they continue exploring it to confirm whether this is the...

The Nabi Daniel Mosque in Alexandria is a historic mosque . It is tomb of Prophet Daniel and Luqman al-Hakeem, a wise man mentioned in the Quran.

Architecture: The mosque has a rectangular area surrounded by an open courtyard, with ablution facilities and separate restrooms for males and females. Tomb Chamber: A staircase leads down to the basement, where two tombs are present, one attributed to Muhammad Daniyal al-Mawsili and the other to Luqman al-Hakeem. History: The mosque has undergone several transformations, with some speculating it might be the site of Alexander the Great's tomb due to its underground vaults and passages.¹

Visitors can perform solat (prayer) in the mosque and explore the tomb chamber. The mosque's location in the heart of Alexandria makes it easily accessible.

Local Legend: The mosque is believed by some to be the final resting place of Prophet Daniel.

Pedestrian-Friendly Street: The street leading to the mosque is closed to vehicles, making it a pleasant walk for visitors. Beautifully Paved: The street is well-maintained and paved, adding to the area's charm. Lined with Shops: Local shops line the street, offering visitors a glimpse into the local culture and economy. Local Feeling: Visitors can immerse themselves in the local atmosphere by taking a leisurely stroll...