Beginning: The Fatimids and the City of a Thousand Minarets
In 969 CE, Caliph Al-Muizz Lidinillah of the Fatimid Dynasty ordered the construction of a new city on the banks of the Nile. The city was named Al-Qahirah — which we know as Cairo. And in the heart of this city, in 970, the first stone of Al-Azhar Mosque was laid. A year later, in 972, the mosque was completed and became the first mosque built in the city that would later be called the “City of a Thousand Minarets.”
The name “Al-Azhar” is derived from the title of Fatima Az-Zahra (Fatima the Radiant), the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Thus, from the very beginning, this mosque carried the spirit of love for the Prophet's family and the light of knowledge that never extinguishes.
From Mosque to University: The Birth of a Learning Center
In 989 CE, 35 scholars were employed to teach at Al-Azhar Mosque. This action became a turning point: from merely a place of prayer, Al-Azhar transformed into a university. Today, Al-Azhar University is recognized as the second oldest university in the world still in operation, after Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez, Morocco.
Here, thousands of students from all over the Islamic world come to seek knowledge. They study tafsir, hadith, fiqh, Arabic, medicine, astronomy, and various other branches of knowledge. Al-Azhar became a landmark that Islam does not separate religious knowledge from worldly knowledge. In fact, its educational system became a model for modern universities today.
Architecture: Evolving Beauty
Al-Azhar Mosque is not only a center of knowledge but also a captivating architectural masterpiece. From the beautifully carved wooden pulpit to the spacious and cool courtyard, every corner of this mosque tells a story of a long history. In the 14th century, Sultan Barquq of the Mamluk Dynasty added a mihrab decorated with marble and stained glass. Later, in the 16th century, when the Ottomans took over, they added twin minarets that became icons of Cairo.
Every dynasty that ruled Egypt left its artistic touch on Al-Azhar. This is what makes this mosque like a living museum — a place where Islamic civilizations from the Fatimids, Mamluks, Ottomans, to the modern era meet in harmony.
Social and Political Role
For over 1,050 years, Al-Azhar has been more than just an educational institution. It has also been the voice of Muslims on major issues. During the Western colonial period, Al-Azhar scholars led the resistance against the colonizers. In 1928, Al-Azhar University was among the first in the Islamic world to open its doors to female students.
Today, Al-Azhar continues to be a reference in religious and social affairs. Its fatwas are heard by over 1 billion Muslims. The institution also actively promotes wasatiyyah (moderate) Islam and rejects extremism. It is a bastion of knowledge that has never wavered.
Al-Azhar in the Modern Era
Although its age has exceeded 10 centuries, Al-Azhar remains relevant. Its main campus in Cairo is now equipped with modern technology, yet it still maintains the tradition of halaqah (sitting in circles) learning that has been practiced since the time of the Companions. Students from over 100 countries come here, making Al-Azhar a microcosm of the Islamic world.
In 2020, Al-Azhar launched an online learning platform to facilitate access to knowledge worldwide. This proves that this institution is not outdated but always moves forward while firmly holding onto its traditional roots.
Conclusion: An Unquenchable Light
Al-Azhar Mosque is not just bricks and mortar. It is a symbol of the resilience of knowledge, the beauty of art, and the strength of faith. From a poor student in West Africa to a professor in Southeast Asia, all benefit from the light of Al-Azhar. As the world changes, Al-Azhar remains standing — as proof that Islamic civilization is not just history but a living reality that continues to shine.
Thus, when we say “Al-Azhar,” we are actually speaking of a civilization that never sleeps. A civilization born from Fatima Az-Zahra, and continues to shine to this day.
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Reference: Al-Azhar Mosque — Wikipedia
Al-Azhar: The Mosque That Has Illuminated the Islamic World for a Century. Since its establishment in 970 CE, Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo has not only become the pillar of the city of a thousand minarets but also a center of knowledge that has produced thousands of scholars. From Fatima Az-Zahra to the second oldest university in the world, discover how this mosque has remained relevant and become the heart of Islamic civilization for over 1,050 years.. Beginning: The Fatimids and the City of a Thousand Minarets
In 969 CE, Caliph Al-Muizz Lidinillah of the Fatimid Dynasty ordered the construction of a new city on the banks of the Nile. The city was named Al-Qahirah — which we know as Cairo. And in the heart of this city, in 970, the first stone of Al-Azhar Mosque was laid. A year later, in 972, the mosque was completed and became the first mosque built in the city that would later be called the “City of a Thousand Minarets.”
The name “Al-Azhar” is derived from the title of Fatima Az-Zahra Fatima the Radiant , the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad PBUH . Thus, from the very beginning, this mosque carried the spirit of love for the Prophet's family and the light of knowledge that never extinguishes.
From Mosque to University: The Birth of a Learning Center
In 989 CE, 35 scholars were employed to teach at Al-Azhar Mosque. This action became a turning point: from merely a place of prayer, Al-Azhar transformed into a university. Today, Al-Azhar University is recognized as the second oldest university in the world still in operation, after Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez, Morocco.
Here, thousands of students from all over the Islamic world come to seek knowledge. They study tafsir, hadith, fiqh, Arabic, medicine, astronomy, and various other branches of knowledge. Al-Azhar became a landmark that Islam does not separate religious knowledge from worldly knowledge. In fact, its educational system became a model for modern universities today.
Architecture: Evolving Beauty
Al-Azhar Mosque is not only a center of knowledge but also a captivating architectural masterpiece. From the beautifully carved wooden pulpit to the spacious and cool courtyard, every corner of this mosque tells a story of a long history. In the 14th century, Sultan Barquq of the Mamluk Dynasty added a mihrab decorated with marble and stained glass. Later, in the 16th century, when the Ottomans took over, they added twin minarets that became icons of Cairo.
Every dynasty that ruled Egypt left its artistic touch on Al-Azhar. This is what makes this mosque like a living museum — a place where Islamic civilizations from the Fatimids, Mamluks, Ottomans, to the modern era meet in harmony.
Social and Political Role
For over 1,050 years, Al-Azhar has been more than just an educational institution. It has also been the voice of Muslims on major issues. During the Western colonial period, Al-Azhar scholars led the resistance against the colonizers. In 1928, Al-Azhar University was among the first in the Islamic world to open its doors to female students.
Today, Al-Azhar continues to be a reference in religious and social affairs. Its fatwas are heard by over 1 billion Muslims. The institution also actively promotes wasatiyyah moderate Islam and rejects extremism. It is a bastion of knowledge that has never wavered.
Al-Azhar in the Modern Era
Although its age has exceeded 10 centuries, Al-Azhar remains relevant. Its main campus in Cairo is now equipped with modern technology, yet it still maintains the tradition of halaqah sitting in circles learning that has been practiced since the time of the Companions. Students from over 100 countries come here, making Al-Azhar a microcosm of the Islamic world.
In 2020, Al-Azhar launched an online learning platform to facilitate access to knowledge worldwide. This proves that this institution is not outdated but always moves forward while firmly holding onto its traditional roots.
Conclusion: An Unquenchable Light
Al-Azhar Mosque is not just bricks and mortar. It is a symbol of the resilience of knowledge, the beauty of art, and the strength of faith. From a poor student in West Africa to a professor in Southeast Asia, all benefit from the light of Al-Azhar. As the world changes, Al-Azhar remains standing — as proof that Islamic civilization is not just history but a living reality that continues to shine.
Thus, when we say “Al-Azhar,” we are actually speaking of a civilization that never sleeps. A civilization born from Fatima Az-Zahra, and continues to shine to this day.
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Reference: Al-Azhar Mosque — Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Azhar Mosque
