Al-Azhar Mosque

　　The Al-Azhar Mosque in Egypt is situated in the Old City of Cairo. It was first constructed on April 2, 970 AD, and after two years of building, held its first prayer service on the 17th day of Ramadan in 972 AD. The mosque was named “Al-Azhar” in honor of Fatimah al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, meaning “the Radiant Fatimah.” At that time, the area was filled with blooming flowers and houses, which locals referred to as “Al-Azhar.”

　　Since the day it was built, the tall and bright minarets of Al-Azhar Mosque have become a landmark of the Cairo region and a guiding light for Muslims. The artistic style of the Al-Azhar Mosque stands out uniquely among global architectural works, integrating the architectural essences of various Egyptian ethnicities. It is a masterpiece of Arab-Islamic architectural art, reflecting the exceptional craftsmanship and distinctive aesthetic values of Egyptian architects.

　　The Al-Azhar Mosque standing in Cairo today is not the original structure but the result of continuous expansions throughout different historical periods. Covering an area of 12,000 square meters, the spacious courtyard is surrounded by halls on three sides. The eastern hall is the largest, consisting of five aisles; the northern and southern halls each have two. On the right side of the main gate of the courtyard stands a minaret built in 1469, next to which is a twin-minaret structure erected in 1514, considered the most magnificent and beautiful minaret of the mosque. Al-Azhar Mosque has a total of five minarets, each with distinct architectural styles, also bearing the historical imprints of different eras of construction.

　　Since its establishment, the Al-Azhar Mosque has placed great emphasis on education. In 988 AD, Caliph Al-Aziz built its affiliated institution “Madrasa,” the predecessor of today’s Al-Azhar University, which is the oldest existing higher education institution in the Islamic world. The tradition of university graduates wearing black robes originated here—don’t the graduation gowns of students from various countries resemble the flowing robes worn by Islamic scholars who “graduated” from Al-Azhar?

　　Al-Azhar Mosque Reason to visit: One of the world's most famous Islamic-style buildings Continent: Africa Country/Region: Egypt Province/State: Cairo Governorate City: Cairo