In a stressful city like Cairo, people tend to search for a calm place in which they can catch their breath from the fast rhythm of life and there is nothing more calming than Al-Azhar Mosque. While there are thousands of other mosques in Cairo, none of them can compete with Al-Azhar, with its importance in Egypt’s history.
With a wide marble central court for visitors to sit in and enjoy the light cool breeze even in the hottest days of summer, Al-Azhar mosque attracts many students who find it the perfect place to sit quietly to study or even read a book.
Located in Al-Moez Street in Islamic Cairo, Al-Azhar mosque is also a main stop for tourists to witness Muslims’ lifestyles back in 972 BC when it was built during the Fatimid Dynasty.
Back when it was built, it was a meeting point for Shi’a students to study since it has two religious schools. Over centuries, it continued to be the second oldest continuously run university in the world; Al-Azhar University. Nowadays, the Sunni university is one of the main universities around the world that teaches Islamic law.
The mosque has been renovated many times over the years after it witnessed shifting politics and changing environments.
While originally building the mosque, the materials used were taken from many eras of Egypt. Materials from the Ancient Egyptians, through Greek and Roman rule, to the Coptic Christian era were used to structure the building. However, with the several renovation processes the place has witnessed over the years, none of the original used materials have remained.