Excerpt: Since it was established by the Fatimids in 972 to promote Ismaili doctrine, and then turned to a university three years later, Al-Azhar has been involved in Egyptian affairs under the watchful eyes of the state. Abbas Hilmi, the last Khedive of Egypt, demanded that Al-Azhar refrain from political activism, “riots” and “chaos of thought”, and instead dedicate itself to “useful religious knowledge because it is a religious institution above all”.
The first time Al-Azhar was officially integrated into the state was after the 23 July Revolution of 1952 that overthrew the Egyptian monarchy, when its work and finances were legally regulated.
Ismailimail 