Cairo, Egypt
Coordinates: 30.045833, 31.262500
Al-Azhar University is a university in Cairo, Egypt. Associated with Al-Azhar Mosque in Islamic Cairo, it is Egypt’s oldest degree-granting university and is renowned as the most prestigious university for Sunni Islamic learning.
In addition to higher education, Al-Azhar oversees a national network of schools with approximately two million students. As of 1996, over 4,000 teaching institutes in Egypt were affiliated with the University.
Founded in 970 or 972 by the Fatimid Caliphate as a centre of Islamic learning, its students studied the Qur’an and Islamic law in detail, along with logic, grammar, rhetoric, and how to calculate the phases of the moon.
Today it is the chief centre of Arabic literature and Islamic learning in the world. In 1961 additional non-religious subjects were added to its curriculum.
Its library is considered second in importance in Egypt only to the Egyptian National Library and Archives.
Al-Azhar Mosque is the first mosque established in Cairol the finest building of Cairo’s Fatimid era , completed in AD 972. This mosque is well maintained, beautifully.
Peaceful and clean inside. It has beautiful architect, ceilings, minarets and eye catching interiors. From the central courtyard, you get the best views of the mosque’s five minarets, which cap the building.
Across the courtyard is the main prayer hall, spanning a vast 3,000 square meters. The mosque is an active place of worship.
Know This
Non-muslims are allowed to enter, though go dressed as modest as you can (no shorts, use sleeves) and if you’re a WOMAN you must have your head, shoulders and arms coverd and won’t be allowed to enter without a long skirt.
If you don’t happen to have one with you or aren’t dressed appropiately they will rent you a full body and head dress for 20 EGP (about 1 USD).
