Above is a picture of the Qaitbay minaret at El-Azhar mosque, the oldest Islamic university in the world and the highest theological authority in the Muslim world. Although El-Azhar’s fatwas (pronouncements) are not binding outside Egypt they do tend to give an indication of the orthodox stance on things and are often tailored to the government’s liking. The mosque of Ibn Toulon was deserted when we had finally found it at the heart of old Cairo, this may explain the aura of peace and... Sign in to see full entry.