As Egypt not only steps up efforts to preserve and modernise its sacred buildings but also open a host of new religious sites, Cairo-based integrator Audio Technology has been called upon by ministries in Old Cairo and Almaza to give their audiovisual systems some much needed attention.
Almaza’s Al-Ali Al-Azeem Mosque and Cairo’s Al Sayeda Nafissa Mosque are both landmark architectural splendours. As such, these projects both required the team to blend architectural reverence with contemporary AV solutions, showcasing the company’s expertise in deploying elegant and high-performance solutions in complex and culturally significant environments.
While from a broader AV perspective the house of worship sector in Egypt is dwarfed by other domains in terms of the revenue generated, Audio Technology has gained a reputation for handling some of the country’s most impressive worship projects in recent times, regardless of their denomination.
Audio Technology was the very first company to specify Holoplot’s X1 beamsteering array at Misr Mosque, and was also responsible for bringing the Cathedral of the Birth of Christ to life as the new administrative capital outside Cairo began to take shape.
“We were enlisted on these projects as we were the consultant’s choice in one case and the contractor’s recommendation in the other, based on our proven track record,” explains Mina Sherif, Audio Technology project manager for the Al Sayeda Nafissa Mosque. “Site visits, design walkthroughs and onsite approvals all played a part in aligning our solution with the client’s vision.”
Officially opened during Ramadan by Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly, the Al-Ali Al-Azeem Mosque is Almaza’s latest architectural icon, forming the spiritual and visual centrepiece of Heliopolis Square. With capacity for 5,000 worshippers, the three-floor building spans more than 8,100m2 and houses an extensive range of community services, including event halls, Quran classrooms, a nursery, clinic, library and dedicated spaces for women.
The challenge for Audio Technology at Al-Ali Al-Azeem was to implement a comprehensive AV and security system that would serve the needs of a truly multifunctional religious venue, while still respecting the space’s architectural integrity. The team’s scope included not just professional audio, but CCTV, access control, ticketing, licence plate recognition, parking systems, a broadcast AV infrastructure and smart AV classrooms.
“In Al-Ali Al-Azeem Mosque, the main challenge was the size of the venue,” adds Fady Magdi, senior projects coordinator at Audio Technology. “The width and depth of the mosque meant it was critical to choose both the locations and models of speakers very conscientiously in order to produce the quality of sound required for such a monumental project.”
On the audio front, the integrator turned to the Harman Professional portfolio, with JBL CBT column speakers chosen across all zones for primary reinforcement due to their consistent SPL distribution, high output and discreet form factor. “The CBT line provides both sound quality and visual appeal,” says Magdi. “Their wide dispersion angle and well-calibrated sound pressure ensure coverage across both the near and far field, which is ideal for large prayer spaces.”
Outdoors, the design called on JBL AWC series all-weather speakers which, according to Audio Technology, deliver the warmth and clarity needed for prayer broadcasts in open courtyards but without the harshness of traditional horn systems. Amplification is handled by Crown Audio’s CDi DriveCore and XLS series, with zone management from a BSS BLU-100 processor, offering detailed signal routing and volume regulation throughout the mosque.
The choice of microphones was equally deliberate. Shure KSM8 and SM58 wired mics, along with BLX wireless handheld and lavalier options, ensure optimal clarity for Khotbah (sermons), Athan (call to prayer) and general speech. These signals are managed by a Soundcraft 12+2-channel mixer during daily operation.
To ensure performance matched expectations, AFMG’s EASE 3D modelling software was deployed during the design phase. “We conducted a full analysis of direct and total sound pressures, including clarity and intelligibility metrics,” continues Magdi. “This level of preparation is how we confidently deliver the high standard of work clients have come to expect from us.”
Beyond audio, a state-of-the-art Video Management System (VMS) from Hanwha Vision was implemented to centralise control of the surveillance systems, ensuring integration between the Access Control System (ACS), CCTV infrastructure and parking management system. Additionally, the TV broadcast camera panels and OB van panel have been designed in accordance with the latest industry standards.
While Al-Ali Al-Azeem represents the modern addition to the country’s religious landscape, Al Sayeda Nafissa Mosque sits right at the country’s historic heart, in the spiritual quarter of Old Cairo. It’s a place of deep religious importance for Egyptians.
Recently renovated under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, it is part of the government’s larger initiative to restore the Ahl Al-Bayt mosques – shrines dedicated to the Prophet Muhammad’s family members.
Given the mosque’s heritage, the AV design required sensitive integration that would enhance the auditory experience without disrupting the aesthetic or spiritual ambience. One of the main challenges here involved speaker placement, as the ideal installation height for the loudspeakers coincided with the Quranic inscriptions decorating the mosque’s corniche. “We had to raise the speakers above the corniche and increase the tilt angle to maintain consistent coverage,” Magdi recalls.
For sound reinforcement, Audio Technology once again deployed JBL CBT 70J column array speakers in the main halls, leveraging the cabinet’s 16 high-frequency drivers to deliver uniform intelligibility across prayer areas. The women’s prayer section features additional CBT 70Js, while CBT 50LA-1s act as monitor speakers for the Imam. For the outdoor courtyard and surrounding spaces, AWC159 and AWC62 coaxial weather resistant models were chosen for their output and clarity.
The entire system at Al Sayeda Nafissa is powered by Crown XTi amplifiers with onboard DSP and controlled by a BSS BLU-100 processor in tandem with Contrio volume interfaces. As in Almaza, Shure microphones, both wired and wireless, handle the various vocal duties, while a Soundcraft Ui24 digital mixer offers wireless control and advanced signal routing in a compact footprint.
For both projects, the choice of Harman Professional products and supporting brands was driven by a combination of price, performance, interoperability and client trust. “The light visual impact of the CBT speakers was a decisive factor, particularly in venues where design harmony is paramount,” says Sherif. “The sound quality speaks for itself, but it’s the blend of performance and visual discretion that made it easy to convince the client.”
With both sites now completed, client feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “The best evidence of our work is in the testimony of those who use the system daily,” adds Emad Adly, Audio Technology CEO. “Careful planning, quality components and skilled execution is what defines Audio Technology, and the best evidence of our work is in the testimony of those who use the system daily.”
With decades of experience in houses of worship, Audio Technology has become a go-to name in Egypt for both mosque and church AV projects, and has helped to raise AV standards throughout the country. “Worship is a key sector for us,” concludes Adly. “We’ve built trust by consistently delivering systems that meet both spiritual and technical requirements. It’s about more than just audio – it’s about helping people connect through sound.”