The Mosque of the Prophet Jirjis is named for the figure known in the Christian tradition as St George — Jirjis in Arabic — whose tomb is traditionally associated with the site. The mosque dates to medieval times, though the building has been rebuilt and restored multiple times over the centuries. It occupies a prominent position in the Old City and the minaret, which survived the conflict intact, is one of the more recognisable vertical elements in the Mosul skyline.
The identification of the tomb as that of Prophet Jirjis (St George) reflects the long interweaving of Islamic and Christian sacred geographies in northern Iraq, where many sites are venerated by both traditions. Mosul's Christians once had several important pilgrimage churches in the city; the mosque occupies a similar position in the Islamic cityscape. The area around the mosque retains some intact medieval fabric and gives a sense of the density and complexity of the old urban grain.