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For the university of the same name in Gaza, see Al-Azhar University - Gaza. Al-Azhar University - Gaza is a secular Palestinian university established in 1992 in Gaza City Palestinian territories.
Al-Azhar University
الأزهر الشريف
Al-ʾAzhar al-Šarīf
Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo Egypt
Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo Egypt
Established: 975 AD
Type: Public, Islamic
Religious affiliation: Sunni, Formerly Shiite
Sheikh: Muhammad Sayyid Tantawy
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Campus: Urban

Al-Azhar University (Arabic: الأزهر الشريف‎; Al-ʾAzhar al-Šarīf, "the Noble Azhar"), is an Egyptian institution of higher learning. Cairo () which means "the Vanquisher" or "the Triumphant" is the capital and largest city of Egypt. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. The date of establishment or date of founding of an Institution is the date on which that institution chooses to claim as its starting point A public university is a University that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government as opposed to private universities. This is a sub-article to Religious education, Academic discipline, and Islam. A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi (محمد سيد طنطاوى (born 28 October 1928) is the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mosque and Grand Cairo () which means "the Vanquisher" or "the Triumphant" is the capital and largest city of Egypt. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. It is connected to Al-Azhar mosque in Old Cairo. A "mosque" in English refers to all types of buildings dedicated for Islamic worship although there is a distinction in Arabic between the smaller privately owned mosque and the larger Cairo () which means "the Vanquisher" or "the Triumphant" is the capital and largest city of Egypt. Al-Azhar (in Arabic: the most flourished and shining) was so called either because it was surrounded by great glittering places, or as a hopeful disposition, or after the name of Sayeda Fatima Al-Zahra', daughter of the Prophet Mohammed. The mosque was built in two years from 969 AD, the year in which its foundation was laid. The Madrasah connected with it was founded in 988 AD. "Madrasa" and "Medrese" redirect here For the village in Azerbaijan see Mədrəsə. Studies began in Al-Azhar in Ramadan by October 975 AD, when Chief Justice Abul Hasan Ali ibn Al-No'man started teaching the book "Al-Ikhtisar", on the Shiite jurisprudence. Jurisprudence is the Theory and Philosophy of Law. Scholars of jurisprudence or legal philosophers hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, "Al-Azhar was founded by the Fatimids, but Saladin, after ousting the Fatimids, consecrated it to Sunni learning in the 12th century" [1][2]. The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica Inc Salahadin Ayyubi ( Arabic:صلاح الدين يوسف بن أيوب Kurdish: سه‌لاحه‌دین ئه‌یوبی Selah'edînê Eyubî; c Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic It is one of the oldest operating universities in the world. This is a list of the oldest extant universities in the world. A university is an institution of Higher education and Research, which grants Academic degrees in a variety of subjects

Al-Azhar University was initially founded as a Jami'ah ("university" in Arabic) which issued academic degrees,[3] and had individual faculties[4] for a madrasah and theological seminary, Islamic law and jurisprudence, Arabic grammar, Islamic astronomy, early Islamic philosophy and logic in Islamic philosophy. A degree is any of a wide range of status levels conferred by institutions of Higher education, such as universities, normally as the result of successfully completing A faculty is a division within a University. The concept of a university with different faculties for different subjects dates back to Al-Azhar University, which had "Madrasa" and "Medrese" redirect here For the village in Azerbaijan see Mədrəsə. A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is a specialized and often live-in Higher education institution for the purpose of instructing students Sharia ( Arabic: ar شريعة) is the body of Islamic Religious law. Fiqh ( Arabic: فقه, fɪqəh is Islamic Jurisprudence. Fiqh is an expansion of the Sharia Islamic law—based directly on the Arabic is a Semitic language See Arabic language for more information on the language in general Early Islamic philosophy or classical Islamic philosophy is a period of intense philosophical development beginning in the 2nd century AH of the Islamic calendar Logic ( Arabic: Mantiq) played an important role in Early Islamic philosophy. [3]

Contents

Reputation

Among the university's stated objectives is the propagation of Islamic religion and culture and the Arabic language (the language of the Qur'an. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language The Qur’an ( القرآن, literally "the recitation" also sometimes transliterated as Qur’ān, Koran, Alcoran ) To that end, it maintains a committee of ulemas (Islamic scholars) to judge on individual Islamic questions, a printing establishment for printing the Qur'an, and training (government-appointed) preachers in spreading da'wa. Ulema ( ar علماء,, singular ar عالِم,, "scholar" refers to the educated class of Muslim legal scholars engaged in the several Da‘wah usually denotes proselytizing of Islam. The Arabic دعوة da‘wah means literally "issuing a summons"

Politics

Al-Azhar is run by a Supreme Council headed by a Grand Imam, known as "Sheikh Al-Azhar", which decides on matters pertaining to general policy. Unlike most universities, it maintains a sectarian admissions policy and does not admit students who are not practicing Islam, thus it combines the institutions of a Madrassah and theological seminary, with those of the faculties established in 1961. "Madrasa" and "Medrese" redirect here For the village in Azerbaijan see Mədrəsə. A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is a specialized and often live-in Higher education institution for the purpose of instructing students Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

In 1961, Al-Azhar was re-organized by the Nasser Government and several secular faculties were added to the university, such as medicine, engineering and agriculture. An Islamic women's faculty was also added 6 years after Zaib-un-Nissa Hamidullah in 1955 became the first woman to speak at the university. Begum Zaib-un-Nissa ( Transliterated Zeb-un-Nissa Zaibunnissa Zaibun Nisa Zaibunisa Zaib-un-Nisa Zebunnissa Zeb-un-Nisa Hamidullah ( Urdu: زیب النساء

Literature

Al-Azhar library, which was consolidated in 1897, is considered second in range, variety and importance only to the Egyptian National Library and Archives in Cairo. Year 1897 ( MDCCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common The Egyptian National Library and Archives (Dar el-Kotob in Cairo is the largest Library in Egypt. It comprises 99,062 books consisting of 595,668 volumes of Islamic manuscripts and rare books, some dating back to the 8th century. The library is a center of attraction to researchers, students and other Islamic universities. The library does not collect non-Islamic literature.

Since 1929, Al-Azhar has published a magazine (now monthly) whose stated purpose is to advertise religious rules, subjects related to Islamic literature, and basic jurisprudence (shariah), including sections on history, biographies, translated texts and news concerning the Muslim world. Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Sharia ( Arabic: ar شريعة) is the body of Islamic Religious law.

In 2005, the Al Azhar online document archive was launched. This is a joint venture between the university and the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum IT Education Project (ITEP) in Dubai. The archive intends to eventually give access to all 42,000 manuscripts (c. 7 million pages) in Al Azhar library.

Response to negative press

Muhammad Sayyid Tantawy, the current Imam of Al-Azhar, has declared that the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks and suicide bombers are "heretics" who are not following the true path of Islam. Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi (محمد سيد طنطاوى (born 28 October 1928) is the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mosque and Grand For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. In a recent conference in Indonesia, he asked all "true believers" to deny proponents of extremist and heretical forms of Islam places to speak in the mosque, thus preventing the spread of violent ideologies. The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia.

Ali Gomaa', the Egyptian Mufti associated with Al Azhar, has also declared that insurgents who kidnap and kill civilians in Iraq are the ones which Islam has authorized to thwart and eradicate since they wreak havoc on Earth. This article is about an Islamic scholar Mufti can also refer to civilian dress. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics.

Shaykh Tantawy has mentioned that among the priorities of Muslims are "to master all knowledge of the world and the hereafter, not least the technology of modern weapons to strengthen and defend the community and faith". He adds that "mastery over modern weaponry is important to prepare for any eventuality or prejudices of the others, although Islam is a religion of peace. "[5].

Shaykh Tantawy also re-asserts a tenet common to many religious leaders, that his is the best faith to follow, and of the duty of active da'wa; while reinforcing the difference between the non-Muslims living apart from Muslims and who are not enemies of Islam ("Muslims are allowed to undertake exchanges of interests with these non-Muslims so long as these ties do not tarnish the image of the faith"), and "the non-Muslims who live in the same country as the Muslims in cooperation and on friendly terms, and are not enemies of the faith" ("in this case, their rights and responsibilities are the same as the Muslims so long as they do not become enemies of Islam").

Concerns regarding freedom of speech

In October 2007, Muhammad Sayyid Tantawy, the current Imam of Al-Azhar, drew allegations of stifling freedom of speech when he asked the Egyptian government to toughen its rules and punishments against journalists. During a Friday sermon in the presence of Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and a number of ministers, Tantawy is purported to have stated that journalism which contributes to the spread of false rumours rather than true news deserves to be boycotted, and that it is tantamount to sinning for readers to purchase such newspapers. Tantawy, a supporter of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, also called for a punishment of eighty lashes to "those who spread rumors" in an indictment of speculation by journalists over Mubarak's ill health and possible death. [6][7]

This is not the first time that he has criticized the Egyptian press regarding its news coverage nor is it the first time he in return has been accused by the press of opposing freedom of speech. During a religious celebration in the same month, Tantawy released comments alluding to "the arrogant and pretenders who accuse others with the ugliest vice and unsubstantiated charges". In response, Egypt's press union issued a statement suggesting that Tantawy appeared to be involved in inciting and escalating a campaign against journalists and freedom of the press. [8]

Notable persons associated with the university

Al-Azhar University has had a huge impact on the religious, cultural and political arena in Egypt, the Middle East, and the whole Islamic world (see the list of notable persons below). Numerous persons of note have graduated from the university including Taha Hussein, one of the pre-eminent Arab intellectuals and writers, and a leader in the twentieth century modernist movement in Egypt. Taha Hussein ( November 14, 1889 &mdash October 28, 1973) ( طه حسين) (nicknamed "the dean of Arabic literature"was Saad Zaghlul, former Egyptian prime minister and leading political figure in the first half of the same century especially against the British occupation of Egypt, was also an alumnus of Al-Azhar. Saad Zaghloul ( Arabic سعد زغلول; also Saad Zaghloul Sa'd Zaghloul Pasha ibn Ibrahim) ( 1859 - August 23 Before them was Muhammad Abduh, founder of Islamic Modernism and respected Islamic scholar, and Ahmed Orabi who was the first Egyptian army officer and the leader of the Urabi Revolt. Muhammad Abduh (or Muhammad 'Abduh) (محمد عبده ( Nile Delta, 1849 - Alexandria, July 11 1905,) was an Egyptian Islamic Modernism is a movement that has been described as attempting to reconcile Islamic faith with modern Western values such as Nationalism, Colonel Ahmed Orabi or Ahmed Urabi ( Egyptian Arabic: ʻorābi ˈʕoɾɑːˌbi ( April 1, 1841 - September 21, 1911) ( The Urabi Revolt or Orabi Revolt (ˈʕoɾɑːˌbi also known as the Orabi Revolution, was an uprising in Egypt in 1879-82 against the Khedive The list of notable alumni also includes Hassan-i Sabbah, founder of the Assassins in the 11th century. Hassan-i Sabbāh (حسن صباح حسن الصباح Hassan aṣ-Ṣabbāḥ, c Recent times have seen Hassan al-Banna, founder of the Muslim Brotherhood and purported mastermind behind the assassination of Egyptian prime minister Mahmud Fahmi Nokrashi in 1948, graduate from the university. Hassan al-Banna ( October 14, 1906 – February 12, 1949, Arabic:حسن البنا was an Egyptian social and The Muslim Brothers ( Arabic: الإخوان المسلمون al-ikhwān al-muslimūn, full title The Society of the Muslim Brothers, often simply الإخوان Mahmoud Fahmi an-Nukrashi Pasha (1888 - 1948 (محمود فهمي النقراشي باشا was an Egyptian Political figure. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas, was also an alumnus. Sheikh Ahmed Ismail Yassin (1937 – March 22 2004 ( Arabic: ar الشيخ أحمد ياسين was the co-founder with Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, of Hamas Ḥamas (ar حركة حماس acronym ar حركة المقاومة

Before 1800

1800 - early 1900s

1910-1950s

1950-

See also

References

  1. ^ Britannica article
  2. ^ Encyclopedia Britannica p. Al-Azhar University - Gaza is a secular Palestinian university established in 1992 in Gaza City Palestinian territories. This is a list of universities in Egypt: Public universities Mansoura University (established in 1972 Ain Shams University Cairo University ( جامعة القاهرة, previously Egyptian University and later Fuʾād I University) is an institute of Higher education A list of 'famous' Mosques around the World: Africa See also List of mosques in Africa Asia There is much more to Muslim history than its military and political aspects this particular chronology is almost entirely of military and political nature Islamic architecture has encompassed a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day influencing the design and construction Islamic art encompasses the arts produced from the 7th century onwards by people (not necessarily Muslim) who lived within the territory that was inhabited by culturally A fatwā (فتوى plural fatāwā فتاوى in the Islamic faith is a religious opinion on Islamic law issued by an The Al-Azhar Shia Fatwa ( فتوة الأزهر) is an Islamic Fatwa issued by the renowned Sunni scholar Shaikh Mahmood Shaltoot The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica Inc 37 1993 edition ISBN:0852295715
  3. ^ a b Alatas, Syed Farid, “From Ja¯mi`ah to University: Multiculturalism and Christian–Muslim Dialogue”, Current Sociology 54 (1): 112-32 
  4. ^ Goddard, Hugh (2000), A History of Christian-Muslim Relations, Edinburgh University Press, p. Edinburgh University Press is a University publisher that is part of the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland. 99, ISBN 074861009X 
  5. ^ The Grand Imams of Al-Azhar. Retrieved on 2006-06-24. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place
  6. ^ allheadlinenews.com
  7. ^ aljazeera.net(Arabic Online)
  8. ^ International Herald Tribune
  9. ^ Hala Fawzy. "His Excellency Ambassador Wu Sike interviewed by the Egyptian Gazette", Egyptian Gazette, 2004-01-10. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war. Retrieved on 2007-02-16. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols  
  10. ^ David D. Laitin, Politics, Language, and Thought: The Somali Experience, (University Of Chicago Press: 1977), p. 102
  11. ^ Gayoom, Maumoon Abdul - MSN Encarta

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