Have You Been To The Mosque of Al-Azhar in Cairo?

[dcdee]

The Eyewitness Travel book lists this mosque as 3rd of its Top 10 attractions in Cairo but I've never seen anyone mention it. Has anyone ever visited it or, alternatively, have any idea why it is not on the typical recommended tours of Ramses, Nile Blue, etc.?

[cruisemom42]

I have visited Al-Azhar mosque and it is beautiful, although I liked Ibn Tulun mosque better.

 

I have not heard anyone say this, but I wonder if part of the reason why it is not offered by guides for tours is that it is located in the midst of a large traditionalist university. Perhaps guides fear a student demonstration or some mild unpleasantness toward Westerners?

[dcdee]

Thanks, Cynthia. You may be right. The book does say that it's best to avoid Friday afternoons which are apparently well known for fiery anti-government speeches.

 

We saw the most frequently visited sights on a cruise overnight a couple of years ago and we're looking for something different this time. One thing we missed was the Khan al-Khalili market and the Al-Azhar mosque is nearby, so I thought combining the market and the mosque might work well.

[cruisemom42]

Don't be afraid to visit if that's where you want to go. I think Egypt sometimes suffers from an excess of caution where tours are concerned -- but then again, I also understand that tourism is such an important source of income for them that they don't want to subject tourists to any unpleasantness.

 

If you were interested in seeing Ibn Tulun, I can also recommend the excellent Gayer-Anderson museum which is very close by. Of course, the Khan el-Khalili would be a must on my list as well.