Al-Azhar University, Islamic university in Cairo, Egypt
Al-Azhar University operates across several locations in Cairo and other Egyptian governorates, with main buildings, faculties, and research centers spread throughout the capital. The complex combines traditional courtyards and prayer halls with lecture theaters, laboratories, and libraries distributed across different districts.
The institution began in 970 as a teaching center attached to the nearby mosque under Fatimid rule. Its transformation into a full-fledged university took place in 1961, when faculties for medicine, engineering, and other fields were added alongside religious studies.
The institution takes its name from the Arabic word for the radiant one, referring to Fatima al-Zahra, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Students from dozens of countries attend classes taught entirely in Arabic, creating a multilingual environment where Islamic sciences merge with contemporary academic disciplines.
Visitors can explore the public areas of the campus but should respect dress codes and religious customs observed throughout the grounds. Main buildings are located in the historic center of Cairo, while other faculties are scattered across the city.
The library holds a collection of handwritten documents from medieval times, including early copies of medical and astronomical treatises. Some of these manuscripts feature margin notes and comments from earlier scholars, documenting the exchange of knowledge across centuries.
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