İskenderiye

Alexandria (Alexandria) is a historical port city located in Egypt, in the region where the Nile River flows into the Mediterranean Sea, and was one of the main centers of science, education, and travel in the Eastern Mediterranean from antiquity to the Islamic period.

Center of Learning in Antiquity

In antiquity, Alexandria was a center of learning known for its education in philosophy and science. The historian Theophylact Simocatta, understood to be of Egyptian origin, received legal and philosophical education in Alexandria during his childhood; he entered the University of Alexandria where the Aristotelian scientific tradition was continued by the philosopher Stephen (Volume 1, p. 40). This example shows that the city had a strong academic tradition that continued into Late Antiquity.

Scholars and Travelers in the Islamic Period

In the Islamic period, Alexandria continued to be an important destination for scholars, qira'at and language experts, and travelers. Ebû Şâme, who met with famous scholars in Alexandria, along with Dimyat and Kahire, during his trip to Egypt in 628/1230, took lessons here from eş-Şerîşî, the renowned qira'at and language scholar of the time (Volume 1, p. 178). İbn Cübeyr, known for his travelogue, spent the last years of his life in Egypt and passed away in Alexandria in 614/1217 (Volume 1, p. 162).

Importance in Terms of Kurdish History

The city's importance in terms of Kurdish history stands out in connection with influential Kurdish figures in Egypt. Makrizî mentions el-Âdil Ebu'l-Hasan Ali b. es-Salar, referred to by the nisba "el-Kürdî," who served as governor of Alexandria and el-Buhayra and subsequently rose to the position of vizier (Volume 2, p. 79).