Page "Fatimid Caliphate" Paragraph 15

The Fatimids were also known to a great extent for their exquisite arts.

A type of ceramic, lustreware, was prevalent during the Fatimid period.

Glassware and metalworking was also popular.

Many traces of Fatimid architecture exist in Cairo today, the most defining examples include the Al Azhar University and the Al Hakim mosque.

The Al Azhar University was the first university in the East and perhaps the oldest in history.

The madrasa is one of the relics of the Fatimid dynasty era of Egypt, descended from Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad.

Fatimah was called Az-Zahra ( the brilliant ), and it was named in her honor.

It was founded as mosque by the Fatimid commander Jawhar at the orders of the Caliph Al-Muizz as he founded the city for Cairo.

It was ( probably on Saturday ) in Jamadi al-Awwal in the year 359 A. H. Its building was completed on the 9th of Ramadan in the year 361 A. H.

Both Al -' Aziz Billah and Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah added to its premises.

It was further repaired, renovated and extended by Al-Mustansir Billah and Al-Hafiz Li-Din-illah.

Fatimid Caliphs always encouraged scholars and jurists to have their study-circles and gatherings in this mosque and thus it was turned into a university which has the claim to be considered as the oldest University still functioning.