- The Launching of Al-Azhar Mosque
- Turgut Reis Liberates 7 thousand Muslim Prisoners
The Launching of Al-Azhar Mosque
Inauguration
On Ramadan 7, 361 AH - June 26, 972 AD, the Al-Azhar Mosque was inaugurated, and the first prayer was held in it. The muezzin's voice emitted from the minaret of Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, Egypt. Al-Azhar has a scientific and religious status among all Muslims in the east and west of the earth.
Foundation and Name
It was created by Jawhar al-Siqilli during the reign of the Obaidi ruler al-Muizz Li Din Allah. There is a difference of opinion regarding why it was so called, but it is more likely that it was named after Fatima Al-Zahraa, may Allah be pleased with her.
Purpose and Transformation
The initial goal of the Obeidis in building Al-Azhar Mosque was to spread the Shiite sect in Egypt. However, Egypt returned to the Sunni sect during the reign of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, and Al-Azhar has since been one of the largest beacons of the Sunni sect all over the world.
Turgut Reis Liberates 7 thousand Muslim Prisoners
The Liberation Campaign
On the 7th of Ramadan, August 17th of the year 1553 AD, the Ottoman naval commander, Turgut Reis, seized the island of Corsica and the city of Catania in Sicily. After exterminating its garrison, he freed seven thousand Muslim prisoners.
Handing Over Corsica
Turgut Reis then handed over Corsica to the French. However, the French could not keep it for long against the Spaniards, who controlled the island in the same year.
