Islamic heritage · Cairo
Al-Azhar Mosque
The first mosque founded in Fatimid Cairo, and the home of the teaching tradition that grew into Al-Azhar University, one of the world's oldest.
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The story
Construction began in AD 970 on the orders of the Fatimid caliph al-Mu'izz as the new city of Cairo was founded, and the first Friday prayer was held in 972. Its name is thought to refer to az-Zahra ("the radiant"), a title of Fatima. Over the centuries it grew from a congregational mosque into a major centre of religious and linguistic learning, from which Al-Azhar University emerged and became a leading authority across the Islamic world. Mamluk, Ottoman and later rulers added minarets, gateways and new halls, so the building today reflects more than a thousand years of Cairo's architecture.
Good to know
- Building began in April 970 and the first Friday prayer was held in 972.
- The mosque has five minarets, none from the original Fatimid phase; its main facade shows the Mamluk minarets of Aqbugha, Qaitbay and the twin-headed minaret of al-Ghuri.
- The name Al-Azhar is thought to allude to az-Zahra ("the radiant"), a title of Fatima.
- Teaching at Al-Azhar was formally organised by 988, about sixteen years after its first Friday prayer.
- The mosque lies within Historic Cairo, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
Visiting tips
Al-Azhar is a working mosque, so dress modestly with shoulders, arms and legs covered, and expect to remove your shoes at the entrance. Keep voices low and avoid photographing in prayer areas out of respect for worshippers; it is best to ask on site about photography. The most pleasant time to come is in the morning during the cooler months from October to April, avoiding Friday midday prayer. Parts of the mosque may be closed for restoration work, so check before visiting for current opening times and which areas are accessible.