Page 303 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

XEGLLCTEU .IK. I HI A 5

In 1**00 the University counted 312 teachers, 9,069 students, The
mini her is far less today. All lour of the Mohammedan orthodox
>ect> are represented, but the two sects that prevail in llgypt form the
\ast majority. While almost all other education in Egypt has been
penetrated and controlled by European influence, the Azhar still stands
iike an island alone, and is proud of its impenetrability. One ctttt never
\ iiil it and remain under delusion as to the spirit in which it is steeped,
livery reform that has been attempted, even in recent years, has either
failed tu gain ground or ended in a fiasco. It is considered a desecra­
tion of the place to introduce novelties, and yet in spite of their con­
servatism, there have been some minor reforms under the strong hand
ui the Government. During a cholera epidemic in 1896, the Egyptian
jKilice attempted to carry out necessary sanitary measures, but were
Iminbarded with stones, beams and wood by the students, and had to
retreat. The present unsanitary conditions of the Azhar are a disgrace
lu the authorities, and yet no attempt is made to improve conditions.
Among the great army of students, there are not only many gray-
bcards, who have spent the best part of their life in the sacred courts,
but little children. At present no less than 200 young girls and a still
larger number of boys from four years up receive religious instruction.
This brings us to a consideration of the branches taught, and the
textbooks used. At the top of the course is theology, in the Mohamme­
dan sense of that word, jurisprudence, Mohammedan tradition, the
icicnces of exegesis, of philology, of metre, of rhetoric, logic and
utroiiomy. The latter is only taught for such practical purposes as
to calculate the lunar months, and to know the exact time for Moham­
medan prayer. There are no courses in modern history, foreign lang­
uages or the physical sciences. An attempt is made to gather small
groups for so-called geographical and mathematical studies, but when
one witnesses the conduct of these classes and the method of instruction,
one is not surprised at the poverty of the result achieved. I have seen
i group of graybeards vainly attempting to master the difficulties of
ordinary fractions on wooden slates, and have seen a similar group sit
ofcii mouthed with astonishment when they learned for the first time
ihit there was a solar system.
The relationship between pupil and teacher is patriarchal. Students
dtow their teachers the greatest respect, kissing their hands, carrying
their shoes for them, and showing them courtesies of all sorts. While
leaching the tutor sits on a stool of wood, and the pupils get around him
a a semi-circle. The lectures given are based on a text which each
jiupil carries with him. They are especially fond of using short rhymed
suuuals, which aid and refresh the memory. Lessons begin soon after
Mjurise, and continue throughout the day with a noon period of rest.
The longest holiday is during the fast month and the. short holiday at
•tx time of the great feast.
The institution is heavily endowed, but these endowments have not
*Uays been expended in accordance with the wishes of the donors,
[heir administration has recently become one of the departments of
Ac new Egyptian Government.
The Azhar, always considered as a center of fanaticism and intoler-
tftce, has in recent years opened its doors not only to tourists and visitors