Al-Azhar University: Rankings

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Al-Azhar University has a notable history and is regarded as one of the oldest degree-granting universities in the world. It was founded in 970 AD by the Shi’ite Fatimid Dynasty and gained university status in 1961. In its early days, Al-Azhar established a relatively informal educational format with no entrance requirements, set curriculum, or degrees. Students at that time were taught about the Arabic language, Islamic law, Qur’an, theology, and moon phases. During the late 19th century, admission requirements, examinations, and some modern subjects were introduced. Adding to its impressive history, this renowned university is the only ancient education institution in the Arabic world to survive as a modern university by integrating secular subjects into its curriculum.