Cairo (Arabic: القاهرة‎ al-Qāhira)

Is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab World Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a center of the region's political and cultural life. Even before Cairo was established in the tenth century, the land composing the present-day city was the site of national capitals whose remnants remain visible in parts of Old Cairo. Cairo is also associated with Ancient Egypt due to its proximity to the Great Sphinx and the pyramids in nearby Giza.

Egyptians today often refer to Cairo as Misr (Arabic: مصر‎), the Arabic name for Egypt itself, emphasizing the city's continued role in Egyptian influence.

Cairo has the oldest and largest film and music industries in the Arab World, as well as the world's second-oldest institution of higher learning, al-Azhar University.

Al-Azhar is a momentous mosque, whose foundation was laid by Gohar Al-Siqilli, the army commander of Al- Mu'iz Lidinallah A dynast of the Shia Fatimid Dynasty (909-1171).

With the passage of ages, the Mosque earned a great reputation. Besides being a mosque, it also became a university for religious, Arabic and metaphysical sciences.

Al-Azhar (in Arabic: the most flourished and shining) was so called either because it was surrounded by great glittering places, or as a hopeful disposition, or after the name of Sayeda Fatima Al-Zahra', daughter of the Prophet Mohammed may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, following the conqueror's usage of ascribing themselves to her.

Studies began in Al-Azhar in Ramadan, 365,A.R., October,975,A.D., when Chief Justice Abul Hasan Ali ibn Al-No'man started teaching the book "Al-Ikhtisar", on the Shiite Jurisprudence. Other studies followed, and these studies advanced in the days of Al-Aziz., the Patimid, when university-pattern Studies took their first step. In Al-Azhar Mosque, Minister Yacoub ibn Kalas, taught his book "Al-Risalah Al-Aziziyah" on Sh.iite Jurisprudence. Thirty seven scholars were also appointed to help teach the students, on monthly salary basis. Hostels were constructed for their accommodation adjacent to Al-Azhar.

Later, and with the passage of time, the studies advanced further and varied in subject, comprising the four schools of Islamic Creed. The Shiite sect was overshadowed, leaving Al-Azhar as the principal seat for The Sunni sect. It was attended by students from all Muslim Countries.

Modern Era:

Al-Azhar Mosque During the reign of Khedive Ismail, the first statute for Al-Azhar was promulgated in 1822,A.D., whereby the steps for procurement of "Al-Alamiyah" Certificate and the relevant subjects to be studied were specified. Then, other laws regulating education at Al-Azhar followed, most important of which was the 1950 law, which divided education there into three categories, and introduced the faculty-education system, Faculty Of Shariat (Islamic Jurisprudence), Faculty of Theology ( Osoul Al-Deen ), and Faculty of the Arabic Language.

By law of 1961, Al-Azhar Faculties increased in number, and beside the theoritical faculties, other practical and technical faculties were established, such as that of Medicine, Engineering and Agriculture. Other theoretical and technical faculties were founded for girls, all of which are affiliated to the Al-Azhar University.

Al-Azhar University having a history spreading over 10 centuries (1031 years) is one of the oldest operating universities in the world if not the oldest.

About AMSA

Al-Azhar Medical Student Association (AMSA) is a non-profit association managed by volunteer medical students and is independent from the Students Union.

As a member of IFMSA-Egypt, AMSA shares the same mission and vision with IFMSA while maintaining its unique identity as a part of the most prestigious Islamic institution namely Al-Azhar university.

Our Mission
- Enhance student’s awareness of and performance towards the community and public health issues and involving them in the social, moral and ethical obligations of the profession of medicine.
- Promote active improvement in medical education.
- Promoting and facilitating professional and scientific exchanges as well as extracurricular training for medical students, thereby introducing them to other cultures and societies and the related health problems.
- Providing a link between members, medical students and international organizations, to provide students with hands-on experience in the medical field and to encourage the co-operation between them for the ultimate benefit of society.
- Promote scientific and personal skills (e.g.: communication and leadership skills).

Cairo is located on the banks and islands of the Nile River in the north of Egypt, immediately south of the point where the river leaves its desert-bound valley and breaks into two branches into the low-lying Nile Delta region.

Referring to Cairo often means Greater Cairo, which is composed of Cairo governate, part of Giza and Qaluobyia governates. Since May 2008 Greater Cairo has been divided into 4 new governates: Cairo, Helwan, Giza Governorate and the 6th of October Governorate.

Cairo University is in Giza governate, while Cairo governate has the Ain Shams University.

The oldest part of the city is east of the river. The city gradually spreads west, engulfing the agricultural lands next to the Nile. These western areas, built on the model of Paris by Khedive Ismail in the mid-19th century, are marked by wide boulevards, public gardens, and open spaces. The older eastern section of the city is very different: having grown up haphazardly over the centuries, it is filled with small lanes and crowded tenements. While western Cairo is dominated by tater government buildings and modern architecture, the eastern half is filled with hundreds of ancient mosques.

Extensive water systems have also allowed the city to expand east into the desert. Bridges link the Nile islands of Gezira and Roda, where many government buildings are located and government officials live. Bridges also cross the Nile attaching the city to the suburbs of Giza and Imbabah (part of the Cairo conurbation).

West of Giza, in the desert, is part of the ancient necropolis of Memphis on the Giza plateau, with its three large pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza. Approximately 11 miles (18 km) to the south of modern Cairo is the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis and adjoining necropolis of Saqqara. These cities were Cairo's ancient predecessors, when Cairo was still in this approximate geographical location.

In Cairo, and along the Nile River Valley, the climate is a mixture between mediterranean climate and desert climate (BWh according to the system), but often with high humidity due to the river valley's effects. Wind storms can be frequent, bringing Saharan dust into the city during the months of March and April. High temperatures in winter range from 13°C to 19°C, while night-time lows drop to below 8°C, often to 5°C. In summer, the highs rarely surpass 40°C, and lows drop to about 20°C. Rainfall is sparse, but sudden showers do cause harsh flooding. In a city near Cairo called New Cairo, the temperatures often drop below zero during winter. New Cairo's weather is generally cooler than that of Cairo due to its high altitude.

Working Conditions: from Sunday to Thursday - 5 hours daily.

All Department Are Available

Duration is for month, all year Except July.

English & Arabic

- Please bring your white coat and stethoscope also a reflex hammer for neurology clerkships.

- Health insurance is required (A copy shall be attached with the application documents, or sent to NEO/LEO before arrival for the clerkship).

- Please bring your international students ID (ISIC) it is of great benefit especially in social programs

Apartments and hotels

15-25 minutes far

Once Daily (Lunch)

- (+2) is an international prefix if you dial from Egyptian mobile or Phone booth don't dial the (+2)

- It's better to buy an Egyptian mobile number since it's so cheap it's only will cost you just 30 pounds – approximately 5 Euros you could make and receive international and Local calls. Rechargeable cards are in either 50 – 100 -200 pounds

- Alexandria

- Dahab

- Luxur

- Aswan

We have airport team that will get the student from air port

Taxi:

For anywhere inside Cairo it will cost 5-40 E.P

Metro:

1 E.P

Bus:

.50 - 2 E.P

Currency:

The currency of Egypt is called the Pound (pl. Pounds). Pound banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 0.25, 0.50, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Pounds. Smaller values are issued as coins (piaster’s) with 1 Pound = 100 Piaster’s.

Currency exchange facilities are available in most banks, hotels and airports and operate normal business hours.

Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops, the most widely used being MasterCard, Visa and American Express.

By the way 1 Euro ~ 7 pounds!!

Local time:

GMT + 2 hours

Certification:

We will give you your certificate on the last day of your clerkship or on your day of departure and it will be signed and stamped by the supervisor doctor and the LEO.

Passport & VISA:

Visitors are required to be in possession of a valid passport. Entry visas may be obtained from Egyptian Diplomatic and Consular Missions Abroad.

It is, however, possible for most visitors to obtain an entry visa at any of the Major Ports of Entry while those from the following countries are required to be in possession of a pre-arrival visa: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldavia, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Russia, Serbia & Montenegro, Slovenia, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine and all African countries.

LEO/LORE Name: Hasan Amin AbuGhali

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mobile number: +20143959642

LC website: http://www.amsa.alazharmed.org

Cairo City Website:

http://www.cairo.com

AlAzhar University Website:

http://www.azhar.edu.eg/En/index.htm

AlAzhar University Medical College Website:

Female: http://www.azhar.edu.eg/gfac/fmg/

Male: http://www.med.azhar.edu.eg/