Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt was founded around 970-972 CE, making it the oldest continuously operating university in the world. It focuses on Islamic culture and religious teachings. The use of paper, invented in China, spread widely through the Islamic empire, enabling the easier creation and sale of books. Business was conducted using checks, a precursor to modern credit. As the Abbasid empire expanded, more people learned Arabic, the official language, blending information from diverse cultures under Islamic rule. Scholars from various backgrounds across the empire were drawn to learning in this time, including non-Muslims.

1. The good days of Islam!
Kenzie Love

2. Intellectual
Al-Azhar (Picture to the right) is the oldest University
founded in the world. Al-Azhar was created and founded
around 970-972 CE in Cairo, Egypt.
Al-Azhar mainly focuses on the teachings of Islamic culture
and Religion.

3. Economic
The discovery of the Chinese papermaking process made for easier and faster creation
than preparing parchment or papyrus. Paper use spread quickly throughout the
empire, and shops began selling books and paper.
Business was conducted using a form of credit which is equivalent to modern day
checks.

4. Political
More groups of people came under Islamic control as the Abbasid armies continued to
spread the borders. Arabic was the official language of the Empire and it was easier to
communicate once more people learned Arabic.
Information from different cultures blended in the empire.

5. Social
Learning in the Islamic empire attracted scholars from
around the empire and more. All of them were a diverse
group of people, including people that were berbers, and
persians.
Many were also not Muslims.