Al-Azhar Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Cairo, founded by the Fatimid general Jawhar al-Siqilli soon after the Fatimid conquest of Egypt and the founding of the city. It was built as the main mosque of the new dynasty, which followed Ismaili Shia Islam, and it soon became a center of teaching. It survived the end of Fatimid rule, and was reoriented to Sunni Islam under Saladin and his successors, growing into a university. Over the centuries it was enlarged and restored by the Mamluks and Ottomans, with minarets and courtyards from many periods. Today Al-Azhar University is one of the most prestigious centers of Sunni religious learning in the world.
Before and after
- from November 968 CE to October 969 CESiege of Antioch
- 6 July 969 CEFounding of Cairo
- c. 970 CEFounding of Al-Azhar University
- March 970 CEBattle of Arcadiopolis
- 971 CEConstruction of al-Azhar Mosque
- from 25 April 971 CE to 24 July 971 CESiege of Dorostolon
- from August 971 CE to December 971 CEFirst Qarmatian invasion of Egypt
- 972 CEBirth of Leif Erikson
- from 972 CE to 1301Árpád dynasty
More in Civilizations & archaeology
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- 1239Construction of Alhambra
- 1420Construction of Kremlin
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 10th century.