AlAzhars

Al-Azhar, also known as Al-Azhar Mosque and Al-Azhar University, is a historic center of Islamic learning located in Cairo, Egypt. It comprises the Al-Azhar Mosque, a long-standing seat of theology and jurisprudence, and a modern university that offers religious and secular studies. The mosque was completed in the 970s CE under the Fatimid Caliphate, and over the centuries it developed into a premier institution for Sunni scholarship. In the 20th century, the Egyptian state reorganized and formalized its religious education system, establishing the modern Al-Azhar University in 1961.

Historically, Al-Azhar has been a leading forum for Islamic jurisprudence, theology, Qur’anic exegesis, and Arabic linguistics. While rooted in Sunni Islam, its scholars have engaged with multiple madhhabs (legal schools) and emphasized a pluralistic, moderate approach to Islamic interpretation. The institution also hosts the Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah, the fatwa office that issues religious rulings and guidance for Muslims in Egypt and beyond, and the Grand Imam serves as a prominent religious and cultural figure.

Today, Al-Azhar maintains influence through education, scholarship, and public discourse on issues affecting the Muslim world. It participates in international dialogues on Islam, interfaith relations, and contemporary ethical questions, while continuing to train clergy, teachers, and professionals. The university attracts students from Egypt and abroad and remains a centerpiece of religious scholarship and cultural heritage in the region.