The University Al-Azhar in Cairo. The History of Waqf Institution in the Muslim World

Case Study in the subject Orientalism / Sinology - Islamic Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia (International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization), language: English, abstract: This paper discusses the significance position of University al-Azhar in the history and tradition of waqf institution and its role in the development of higher education in the Muslim world since its inception under the thriving empire of Fatimid. The role of University al-Azhar in pioneering and championing higher education in the Muslim world was unprecedented in the history of Muslim civilization as the greatest Islamic institution that strongly contributed to realize the ideal and aspiration of the ummah while sustaining its tradition of excellence in education and research. The University continued to disseminate profound Islamic and scientific knowledge and confidently develop and consolidate the institution of waqf and offering promising prospect for higher education throughout the Muslim world.

Ahmad nabil amir holds a PhD from University Malaya in Usuluddin. He pursued post-doctoral studies on the work of Muhammad Abduh at the Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia. Later he was a research associate at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization. He has written extensively on the political thought of Islamic revivalists and has translated Muhammad Asad's magnum opus, The Message of the Qur'an (Risalah al-Qur'an). His publications include Ibn Hazm's Critics on Christian Tradition and Muhammad Abduh's Contributions to Science and Technology