House of Knowledge

House of Knowledge
Other name
Dar El-Ilm
TypeCollegiate research university
Ancient university
Active1004 CE–1517 CE
Location,
Egypt

The House of Knowledge (Egyptian Arabic: دار العلم, romanized: Dār al-ʿIlm) was a medieval Egyptian university built in Cairo, Egypt in 1004 CE. Originally a library, the House of Knowledge was converted to a state university by the Fatimid Imam-Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah in the same year.[1]

In keeping with the Islamic tradition of knowledge, the Egyptians collected books on a variety of subjects and their libraries attracted the attention of scholars from around the world. Al-Hakim was a great patron of learning and provided paper, pens, ink and inkstands without charge to all those who wished to study at the House of Knowledge.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bengoechea, Isabella (November 10, 2016). "Cairo's Lost House of Wisdom: The Great Cultural Legacy of Egypt". Culture Trip. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  2. ^ Virani, Shafique N. (2007). The Ismailis in the Middle Ages: A History of Survival, A Search for Salvation. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 92.