Edfina, which means ‘memorable lotus flower,’ developed into a city during the Mamluk era in Egypt, and was mentioned in the writings of historians at that time.  They also wrote about two armies sent by Muhammad Ali Pasha to fight the British campaign led by General Fraser in 1807. Edfina is famous for its ancient arches constructed to protect the waters of the Nile from the sea. The arches were built with pink granite rocks brought from the southern city of Aswan. Edfina is a center of old industries.

There are a number of Islamic monuments in Edfina, and one of the most important is Halabi Mosque, which contains the mausoleum of Halabi, named for Sheikh Abd El-Rahman El-Halabi who was born and educated in Aleppo, Syria. He then moved to Cairo and took over the judiciary in El-Buhera area. He settled in Edfina, later died there, and was buried in its soil. The history of this mosque dates back to the Ottoman era.  Its buildings were characterized by the unusual roofs built in the form of small domes.  Halabi Mosque has a half-dome roof.