Al-Azhar Mosque: Difference between revisions
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'''Al-Azhar Mosque''' ({{ArB|جامع الأزهر}} {{ArTranslit|''Gamia' al-Azhar''}}) is a [[mosque]] in [[Islamic Cairo]], commissioned in 970 during the [[Fatimid Caliphate]] by [[Al-Muizz Lideenillah|al-Mu‘izz li Dīn Allāh]] in the newly established capital city.<ref name="islamic_arch_58">Behrens-Abouseif ''Islamic Architecture in Cairo'', page 58</ref> It was the first mosque established in [[Cairo]],<ref>Teresio ''Moslem architecture'', page 153</ref> and remains an influential institution in Egyptian society. Dedicated in 972, the mosque hired 35 scholars in 978,<ref name="islamic_arch_58" /> starting the oldest and most prestigious university in the Islamic world.<ref name="univ_hist_9">Summerfield ''University Histories'', page 9</ref> [[Al-Azhar University]] remained a part of a mosque-school until it was officially designated as a university in 1961.<ref name="univ_hist_9" /> |
'''Al-Azhar Mosque''' ({{ArB|جامع الأزهر}} {{ArTranslit|''Gamia' al-Azhar''}}) is a [[mosque]] in [[Islamic Cairo]], commissioned in 970 during the [[Fatimid Caliphate]] by [[Al-Muizz Lideenillah|al-Mu‘izz li Dīn Allāh]] in the newly established capital city.<ref name="islamic_arch_58">Behrens-Abouseif ''Islamic Architecture in Cairo'', page 58</ref> It was the first mosque established in [[Cairo]],<ref>Teresio ''Moslem architecture'', page 153</ref> and remains an influential institution in Egyptian society.<ref name="islamic_monuments_151>Williams, ''Islamic Monuments'', page 151</ref> Dedicated in 972, the mosque hired 35 scholars in 978,<ref name="islamic_arch_58" /> starting the oldest and most prestigious university in the Islamic world.<ref name="univ_hist_9">Summerfield ''University Histories'', page 9</ref> [[Al-Azhar University]] remained a part of a mosque-school until it was officially designated as a university in 1961.<ref name="univ_hist_9" /> |
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==History and Architecture== |
==History and Architecture== |
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Revision as of 00:45, 26 April 2009
| al-Azhar Mosque جامع الأزهر | |
|---|---|
 Exterior view of al-Azhar Mosque | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Leadership | Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Cairo, Egypt |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque |
| Style | Hypostyle Mosque |
| Completed | 972 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome(s) | 3 |
| Minaret(s) | 5 |
Al-Azhar Mosque (Template:ArB Template:ArTranslit) is a mosque in Islamic Cairo, commissioned in 970 during the Fatimid Caliphate by al-Mu‘izz li Dīn Allāh in the newly established capital city.[1] It was the first mosque established in Cairo,[2] and remains an influential institution in Egyptian society.[3] Dedicated in 972, the mosque hired 35 scholars in 978,[1] starting the oldest and most prestigious university in the Islamic world.[4] Al-Azhar University remained a part of a mosque-school until it was officially designated as a university in 1961.[4]
History and Architecture
_2006.jpg)
The original structure has now been completely surrounded by later dependencies,[5] added throughout the history of the mosque. Originally 280 feet long and 227 feet wide,[4] the mosque was built with three arcades around the courtyard.[1] The original prayer hall, southeast of the courtyard, was five aisles deep and was built as a hypostyle hall.[6] The prayer hall was 260 feet by 75 feet, with a qibla wall slightly off the correct angle.[7] The marble columns that support the four arcades that made up the prayer hall were reused from various periods of Egyptian history, from Pharaonic times through Roman rule and Coptic dominance.[7][8] The different heights of the columns were made level by using bases of differing thickness.[7] The mihrab has a semi-dome above it with two marble columns on either side. It was modified during the Mamluk period, with the installation of a polychrome marble facing, recently changed to a plain marble facing with gold patterns.[7]
The current main entrance to al-Azhar is through the Bab al-Muzayinin (Gate of the Barbers), built in 1753.[5][9] Credited to Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda, an Egyptian architect, the gate
original structure => changes over time influenced by rulers, later 'city planning'. Courtyard (with pic).
Significance
University, role in Egyptian law
?
Footnotes
- ^ a b c Behrens-Abouseif Islamic Architecture in Cairo, page 58
- ^ Teresio Moslem architecture, page 153
- ^ Williams, Islamic Monuments, page 151
- ^ a b c Summerfield University Histories, page 9
- ^ a b Rabbat Architectural History, page 46
- ^ Rabbat Architectural History, page 49-50
- ^ a b c d Rabbat Architectural History, page 47-48
- ^ Teresio Moslem architecture, page 154
- ^ Russel, Medieval Cairo, page 185
References
- Behrens-Abouseif, Doris: Islamic Architecture in Cairo (2 ed.) Brill. ISBN 90-04-09626-4.
- Rivoira, Giovanni Teresio; Gordon McNeil Rushforth: Moslem architecture Oxford University Press, 1918
- Summerfield, Carol; Mary Devine; Anthony Levi: International Dictionary of University Histories Taylor & Francis, 1998; ISBN 1-884964-23-0
- Rabbat, Nasser: Al-Azhar Mosque: An Architectural Chronicle of Cairo's History Published in Muqarnas, Volume 13, BRILL, 1996; ISBN 90-04-10633-2
- Russell, Dorothea: Medieval Cairo and the Monasteries of the Wādi Natrūn Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1962