Al-Azhar Mosque

Al-Azhar Mosque in the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar district of Islamic Cairo, Egypt, is one of the oldest continuously operating mosques in the world, founded in 970 AD by the Fatimid general Jawhar al-Siqilli shortly after the Fatimid conquest of Egypt. The mosque gave rise to Al-Azhar University — the world's oldest degree-granting university, established in 988 AD — which continues to operate from adjacent buildings and remains the foremost centre of Sunni Islamic scholarship. The mosque's architecture reflects its millennium of expansion: the original Fatimid courtyard survives at the heart of the complex, ringed by successively added Mamluk and Ottoman elements. Five minarets of differing ages and styles — ranging from the plain cylindrical Fatimid to the ornate double-finial Mamluk — rise from the roofline and are best seen from the ablution fountain courtyard. The entrance from Al-Azhar Street passes through a 15th-century Mamluk gate into a central courtyard lined with arcades. The prayer hall extends deep into the complex with rows of marble columns carved with Quranic inscriptions. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside prayer times; shoes must be removed and modest clothing covering arms, legs, and (for women) hair is required. Loaner abayas are available at the entrance. The mosque adjoins Khan el-Khalili bazaar on its western side and the Sayyidna Husayn Mosque on the north, making this one of the richest historic urban quarters in Cairo. Allow 45 minutes to one hour.