Islamic Schools in Egypt: History, Curriculum, and Al-Azhar University

Nov 08, 2025 0

Arabic schools in Egypt have a long-established tradition and have always been one of the key factors in the growth of education in the country.

These institutions, conceived and developed in the cultural and historical milieu of Arabs, naturally prefer their pupils to learn the Arabic language and cultivate national and cultural pride among them. These places of education serve as vehicles for the development of the young people’s minds while extending beyond the function of a school with a defined curriculum which strives to strike a balance between academic achievement and moral and ethical training.

In Egypt, Arabic education is offered through various types of schools, each catering to different needs and preferences:

These are government-funded institutions that provide education in Arabic as part of the national curriculum.
Private institutions offer an Arabic curriculum but often have more flexibility in their teaching methods and materials compared to public schools.
These schools are affiliated with Al-Azhar University, one of the most prestigious Islamic institutions in the world.
Some international schools in Egypt offer Arabic as part of their curriculum to cater to the needs of expatriate families and bilingual students.
These institutions focus specifically on teaching the Arabic language, often catering to non-native speakers or those seeking to improve their proficiency.

Cairo, as a major cultural and educational hub, offers a variety of Arabic language schools catering to different needs and preferences.

Al-Azhar University: A Beacon of Islamic Learning

The oldest University In Egypt || Al-Azhar University

Al-Azhar University (جامعة الأزهر) is a public university in Cairo, Egypt.

It is the oldest degree-granting university in Egypt and possibly the world.

Founded in Cairo, Egypt around 970-972 by the Fatimid Dynasty of Egypt, it was established as a center of Islamic learning, where students studied the Qur'an and Islamic law, along with logic, grammar, rhetoric, and how to calculate the phases of the moon.

These rulers were descended from Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. Fatimah was called Az-Zahrah (the brilliant) and the university was named in her honor.

Al-Azhar is thought of as the chief center of Arabic literature and Islamic learning in the world.

Its library is considered second in importance in Egypt only to the Egyptian National Library and Archives.

Read also: Choosing a School in Alexandria

To have graduated from this university was a high marker of prestige and erudite learning.

Even at its lowest point, this institution of learning never lost its distinction for millions of Muslims around the globe.

The reawakened interest to study Islam and Arabic put Al-Azhar University at the center of the minds of aspiring scholars.

Historical Overview

After the victory of Sultan Salahudin in his ruling over Egypt in the 12th century, Al-Azhar was then reinstituted from a Shia’ madrasa to a Sunni madrasa.

In 1961, it was established as a university under the government of Egypt and added non-religious subjects to its curriculum.

The University is associated with the infamous Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo and is well-known for its faculty of Arabic Language.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest from all over the world in this university.

Historically, Al-Azhar had a membership that represented diverse opinions within Islam.

The theological schools of al-Ash'ari and al-Maturidi were both represented.

It has a long tradition of teaching all four schools of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hanbali).

Adherence to a Sufi order has long been standard for both professors and students in the al-Azhar mosque and university system.

Although al-Azhar is not monolithic, its identity has been strongly associated with Sufism.

However, in the early 20th century, enlightened Modernist thinkers such as Muhammad Abduh led a reform of the curriculum, reintroducing a desire for legal reform through ijtihad.

Subsequently, disputes were had between modernist intellectuals and traditionalists within al-Azhar.

Al-Azhar now maintains a modernist position, advocating "Wasatiyya" (centrism), a reaction against the extreme textualism of many Wahhabi Salafi ideologues.

Wasatiyya covers a range of thinkers, some of whom are liberal intellectuals with religious inclinations, preachers such as Yusuf al-Qaradawi and many members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Location

Al Azhar University is located in Cairo, Egypt, specifically in the Nasr City neighborhood.

Islamic Courses at Al-Azhar University

Some of the Al Azhar University Islamic courses are:

Faculty of Islamic theology
Faculty of Jurisprudence and law: which includes the following departments:
- Department of jurisprudence
- Department of jurisprudence and law
- Department of Jurisprudence and law in a foreign language

Additionally, Al Azhar Arabic course includes:

General specialization
Department of History and Civilization

Al-Azhar University's Council of Senior Scholars was founded in 1911 but was replaced in 1961 by the Center for Islamic Research.

In July 2012, after the law restricting Al-Azhar University's autonomy was modified by the incoming president Mohamed Morsi, the council was reformed.

Faculties and Programs

Al-Azhar University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various faculties:

Faculties of Medicine: Cairo (boys and girls), Damietta (boys and girls), Assiut (boys and girls)
Dental Faculties: Cairo (boys and girls), Assiut (boys)
Faculties of Pharmacy: Cairo (boys and girls), Assiut (boys and girls)
Engineering Faculties: Cairo (boys and girls), Qena (boys)
Faculties of Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering: Cairo (boys), Assiut (boys), Sadat City (boys)
Science Departments and Affiliated Institutes: Cairo (boys and girls), Assiut (boys)
Faculties of Education: Cairo (boys and girls), Assiut (boys and girls), Tafahna Al-Ashraf (Boys)
Faculties of Physical Education: Cairo (boys and girls)
Commerce Faculties and Affiliated Educational Institutions: Cairo (boys and girls), Tafahna Al-Ashraf (Girls), Assiut (girls)
Fundamentals of Religion Faculties: Cairo (Boys), Tanta (boys), Mansoura (Boys), Zagazig (Boys), Menoufia (Boys), Assiut (boys)
Girls' Colleges: Various locations including 10th of Ramadan, New Minya, Thebes (Luxor), Aswan, Assiut, Fayoum
Sharia and Law Departments and Affiliated Institutes: Cairo (boys), Assiut (boys), Tanta (boys), Tafahna Al-Ashraf (Boys), Damanhour (Boys)
Arabic Language Faculties: Cairo (boys), Menoufia (Boys), Mansoura (Boys), Itay El-Baroud (Benin), Zagazig (Boys), Girga (Boys), Assiut (boys)
Islamic/Human Studies Faculties and Affiliated Educational Institutions: Various locations for boys and girls
Media Faculties: Cairo (boys and girls)
Nursing Faculties and Institutes: Cairo (girls), Assiut (Girls), Damietta

Undergraduate Programs

Islamic Studies at Al-Azhar University Cairo includes teachings of theology, jurisprudence, and Arabic language
Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture
Commerce, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences

Graduate Programs

Master's degrees in Islamic Studies, Business Administration, Engineering, and Health Sciences

Doctoral Programs

Doctorates in Islamic Studies, Medicine, Engineering, and other specialized fields

Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy

The Islamic Research Academy is the highest authority on research.
It tackles contemporary matters while creating global guidelines for Islamic practices.

International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research

This centre partners with UNFPA and focuses on population matters while educating people about demographic trends.

Research centres in Medicine and Chemistry

operate at Al-Azhar.

What is Al-Azhar Known For?

Al-Azhar University is known for being the world’s chief center of Arabic literature and Islamic learning.

It is a center for studies in law, theology, and Arabic.

Alternatives to Studying at Al-Azhar

Not every student can fly over to Egypt to study at Al-Azhar. What is the best alternative? Study with a teacher that graduated from the university!

All of the Arabic teachers of Studio Arabiya have graduated with higher education degrees in the Arabic Language - many of them being from Al-Azhar University.

Learning Arabic in Egypt

Learning Arabic in Egypt offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and culture.

Here are some ways to learn Arabic in Egypt:

Look for reputable institutions such as Kalimah Center, the Arabic Language Institute at the American University in Cairo (AUC), or the Cairo Institute for Language Studies.
Universities like Cairo University or Al-Azhar University offer Arabic language courses.
Hiring a private tutor can provide personalized instruction tailored to your specific needs and learning pace.
Programs that combine language learning with cultural activities can be highly effective.
Engaging in language exchange with native Arabic speakers can enhance your conversational skills.
Many community centers and cultural institutions offer Arabic language classes or workshops.
Supplement your learning with online tools and apps.

Immersing yourself in the local environment is invaluable. Try to practice Arabic in daily interactions, such as shopping, dining, or socializing.

Language Schools and Institutes

Language schools and institutes are specialized educational centers that focus on teaching languages to individuals of various backgrounds and proficiency levels.

These institutions offer structured courses designed to develop language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Cairo’s leading Arabic language school. Our renowned center offers an exceptional learning experience with expert instructors and a range of programs tailored to all levels, from beginner to advanced. Enjoy personalized attention, flexible course options, and enriching cultural activities designed to deepen your understanding of both the language and its context. Elevate your language skills with Cairo’s top choice for Arabic education-Kalimah Center.

Among the centers devoted to Arabic language studies, there are those like Kalimah center that combines intensive Arabic language learning alongside cultural studies and that makes this center one of the favorites for those wishing to undergo an intensive Arabic language course.

Kalimah Center in Cairo, Egypt

Kalimah Center

Kalimah Center in Cairo is one of the prominent language schools dedicated to teaching Arabic.

Known for its immersive and practical approach, the center offers a range of programs designed to cater to learners of different levels and objectives.

Kalimah Center specializes in Arabic language instruction for both native and non-native speakers.

These cover Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is used in formal contexts and media.

The center also offers classes in Egyptian Colloquial Arabic (ECA), which is the local dialect spoken in daily life in Cairo and across Egypt.

Kalimah Center offers modern facilities and resources, including interactive classrooms, language labs, and a library with Arabic learning materials.

The center is centrally located in Cairo, making it accessible to both local and international students.