Al Azhar Mosque/Cairo/Egypt

Al Azhar Mosque/Cairo/Egypt Who founded Al Azhar Mosque? How Old is it? Al-Ashar Mosque is one of the most important Mosques’s in Egypt and most famous in the Islamic World and is a Mosque and a University. Transformed from a Mosque for Prayer to one of the most prominent and well known Islamic Universities in the World. The Mosque which now covers an area of approx.. eleven thousand five hundred square Meters is now a Symbol of Sunni Islam in the World. Historians tended to disagree as to the Origin of the name of this Mosque, however it is more the case that Fatimids named it Al-Azhar after Fatima al-Zahra, who was the Daughter of the Prophet Muhammed, May God’s Prayers and Peace be upon him, and in tribute to her memory. An intergrated University was positioned within the Mosque as part of the Mosque School and in 1961 , it became an independent University, which followed the Revolution of July 1952. Considering there are so many old Mosques you can visit in Cairo, there is none that can rival with Al-Ashar Mosque in standing and importance in the History of Islam. Discovered by the Fatimids in 970AD as a Mosque which was devoted to both learning and Worship, it developed into the most Important Centre of Islamic theology and learning over the Centuries in the World. Since its discovery over a thousand Years ago, Al-Azhar Mosque and the University that supports its name attracts Students from all over the Worl to learn about the History of Islam and the varied Schools of thought that govern the explination of the Koran. Al-Azhar University from its discovery was an Institution that reveled in diversity. It was founded by the Ismaili Shi’I Fatimid Dynasty, it became a Sunni University under subsequent Dynasties in Egypt, however in spite of the tension between these varied theologies, both Sunni and Shi’I Scholars have worked, taught and debated alongside one another at Al-Azhar for most of it’s History. In the present Day it is regarded with respect Throughout the World as a authorative moderating and regulating Power for Islamic Theology. The Construction of Al-Azhar Mosque. The Mosque which has been refurbished and expanded many times again and again and surviving more than a thousand Years of moving politics and changes in Government. The different archetectual styles of its five Minarets supports witness to the varied dynasties that controlled Al-Azhar, Adding to the stunning White Marble Central Court, which dates back to the Original Construction of the Mosque, the building includes a vast covered Prayer Zone, and two Madrassas, or Religious Schools. Students used to meet in the Main Courtyard with Instructors before Azhar University expanded and moved permantly to a Second Campus in the Northern Section of the City, where they undertook Lessons in Arabic, and Koranic interpretation and are still taught here today. You can also see its three largest Minarets from the Courtyard which were constructed in 1340,1469, and 1510 respectively, it is viewd from right to left from the Courtyard. Sultan Al-Ghuri, who also constructed the Wikala Al-Ghuri and Al-Ghouriyya Complex close by is responsible for the 1510 Minaret, which is identifiable by its Twin Spires. Highlights of Islamic Cairo. With some of the most pronounced sights of Islamic Cairo which you wil find located in Al-Muizz Al-Deen Street. This Street was the Main Street in the City when it was constructed back in the Eleventh Century, and it is also where Mausoleums and Palaces were constructed. The Northern part of the Street which lies between Bab El Fotough and Al-Azhar Street, was recently restored and opened for Visitors. Being one of the most prettiest parts of Cairo this is a reason why people enjoy Spending their time there. The Qala’un Complex being one of the most splendid sights in The City. The Southern Section of Islamic Cairo provides some of Cairo’s largest Islamic Monuments, one of the bext examples is that of the Islamic construction of Cairo’s Citadel started under the Ayyubid General Salah Ad-Din Al Ayyubi in the Twelth Century. There are three prominent Mosques inside of the Walls of the Citadel, which are as follows… Al-Nasir Muhammed Mosque, Suleyman Pasha Mosque, and Muhammed Ali’s Alabaster Mosque. Azhar Park is a new inclusion to Islamic Cairo. The Egyptian Government in the 1990s retook the Land that had been used as a landfill for Centuries to create a Park for The City. In the Present Day Azhar Park provides Seventy Four Acres of Park Space to a City that has few Green Spaces. This Stunning setting offers Striking views over The City, and well Maintained Gardens. You can always enjoy your time there as the Park provides a Restaurant and a Café as well.