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Al-Azhar
Al-Azhar
was founded by Jawhar As-Siqilli on 7th Ramadan, 361 A.H., upon the
order of the Fatimid Caliph. `Ali Ibn An-Nu`man started to hold
educational sessions in the mosque in 365 A.H. Then Al-Azhar
University was founded inside the mosque in 378 A.H. by Ya`qub Ibn
Kals, and its staff of teachers were chosen from among the judges
and Muhtasibun (Muslim vigilantes).
All
facilities were provided for Azhar students; food, housing and
other services. In Al-Azhar different religious studies and Arabic
linguistics along with medicine were being taught by the best Azhar
scholars at that time. Al-Azhar was greatly cared for by Caliphs
and Egyptian Sultans, especially in the Fatimid and Mameluk eras,
although it was somehow neglected during Umayyad and `Uthmani eras.
By
the passage of time, Al-Azhar witnessed great developments in its
structure, as Al-Azhar, great university with different faculties
was founded separately from the mosque, and a special branch for
ladies was established. The role of Al-Azhar in Egypt and the
Islamic world is undeniable, as it issues fatwa and undertakes
preaching. Moreover, its role as the fountain of different
movements which resisted social and political tyranny throughput
history is well known. It was the minaret by which European
countries were guided.
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