For Over 1,000 Years, Al-Azhar Mosque Has Retained Its Religious Significance: How?

Today, the 1083rd anniversary of the founding of the Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo is being celebrated. It was built by Jawhar al-Siqilli, a military commander during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph al-Muizz Li Din Allah. The mosque’s construction began in the year 359 AH, corresponding to April 4, and took almost 27 months to complete, opening for prayer on June 21, 972 AD. The name Al-Azhar Mosque refers to Fatima Al-Zahra, daughter of Prophet Muhammad and wife of Ali bin Abi Talib, to whom the Fatimids were likely affiliated.

Al-Azhar is Egypt’s largest Islamic scholarly body, aimed at preserving, studying, and publishing Islamic heritage. The mosque has witnessed the attention of Muslim caliphs, sultans, and rulers in its architecture and restoration. The latest restoration work ended in 2018, following lasting almost 3 years, leaving the mosque’s current area at approximately 12,000 square meters.

Ahmed Al-Sawy, editor-in-chief of Sawt Al-Azhar newspaper, emphasizes the significance of the Al-Azhar Mosque in the Islamic world’s spiritual and scientific hierarchy due to its pluralistic curriculum. Al-Azhar is not a monolithic body, but teaches all schools of jurisprudence, and values moderation, coexistence, and knowledge of various legal sciences.

The mosque gained traction as a university by attracting a diverse range of students and scholars, who studied doctrinal, legal, Arabic, mental sciences, history, and other subjects. Al-Azhar’s authority was not affected by political events and maintained its position in the national and Arab realm, resisting colonialism and facing injustices while also playing a crucial role in the selection of rulers.

  • Hazem Shaheen
  • BBC News Arabic

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The age of Al-Azhar Mosque has exceeded a thousand years since its foundation, as it has become an important destination for Islamic science

Today, Wednesday, marks the anniversary of the 1083 AH anniversary of the founding of the Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo. The mosque was built by Jawhar al-Siqilli, the most prominent military commander during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph al-Muizz Li Din Allah, as its construction began on the twenty-fourth of Jumada al-Awwal in the year 359 AH corresponding to the fourth of April. In the year 970 AD, and its construction took nearly 27 months, to be opened for prayer on Friday, the seventh of Ramadan 361 AH corresponding to June 21, 972 AD.

And it was called the Al-Azhar Mosque, in reference to Mrs. Fatima Al-Zahra, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and wife of Ali bin Abi Talib, to whom the Fatimids are most likely affiliated.

According to Law No. 103 of 1961 on the reorganization of Al-Azhar and the bodies it covers in Egypt, Al-Azhar is the largest Islamic scholarly body in the country that is concerned with preserving, studying and publishing Islamic heritage.

Al-Azhar Mosque Building

Throughout the ages, from its inception until the present time, Al-Azhar Mosque has received the attention of Muslim caliphs, sultans, princes and rulers in its architecture in terms of expansion, construction and restoration, the latest of which was the comprehensive restoration work that ended in 1439 AH / 2018 AD, which lasted for almost three years, and its current area is approximately 12 thousand square meters. .



Overall, Al-Azhar Mosque has played a significant role in Islamic history and continues to do so today. Its establishment as a university and its dedication to teaching all schools of jurisprudence has helped it maintain its position as a leading center for Islamic studies. Its influence in the Islamic world and role in political resistance underscores its importance as a major voice for Islamic issues. As Al-Azhar Mosque celebrates another anniversary, its rich history and continued dedication to preserving and studying Islamic heritage remind us of its timeless significance.

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