Name of Object:

Photograph: Arabic School, Learning the Koran, Egypt

Location:

Madrid, Spain

Holding Institution:

National Museum of Anthropology

 About National Museum of Anthropology, Madrid

Holding Institution (original language):

Museo Nacional de Antropología

Date of Object:

1899

Author:

Keystone View Company

Inventory Number:

MNAFD1635

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Silver gelatin print, grey cardboard

Dimensions:

18 x 9 cm

Description:

Stereoscopic photography that creates the illusion of depth of field from two apparently identical images mounted on a rigid board by using a specific viewfinder, or stereoscope.
The arrival of Islam to Africa caused the birth of schools where the Qu'ran was taught in Arabic. Probably Islamic education was the first education system introduced in African populations. Islam establishes education as a key priority for children.
Universities, madrasas (organised institutions with different levels for studying Islamic religion), and Qur'anic schools (first education that children receive) are used by Islam as educational institutions and have played an important role in spreading Islamic religious, social, moral and cultural values between African populations.
In the madrasas and Qur'anic schools, the Qur'an is learned and memorised by reading and writing at a wooden table. The memorization of the Qur'an is done by copying the teacher a text written on paper, and later recited aloud until memorised. Students were not allowed to pass to another passage until the current passage had been memorized.

Citation of this web page:

"Photograph: Arabic School, Learning the Koran, Egypt" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;es;9;en

Copyedited by: Anne Dowell

MWNF Working Number: SP 009