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Kairouan

Kairouan (, ), also spelled El Qayrawān or Kairwan ( , ), is the capital of the Kairouan Governorate in Tunisia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was founded by the Umayyads around 670, in the period of Caliph Mu'awiya (reigned 661–680); this is when it became an important centre for Sunni Islamic scholarship and Quranic learning, attracting Muslims from various parts of the world. The Mosque of Uqba is situated in the city.

AI overview

Kairouan is an ancient city in Tunisia that was founded by the Umayyads around 670 and became a major center for Islamic scholarship and Quranic learning, attracting Muslims from across the world. Today it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the historically significant Mosque of Uqba.

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Key facts

Settlement.image_caption: Top (from left to right): Monument to Kairouan carpets, Great Mosque of Kairouan Second row: Historic city walls, Aghlabid Basins Third row: Zawiya of Sidi Abid al-Ghariani, Makroudh Bottom: Kairouan carpets, Bazaar, Medina quarter
Settlement.pushpin_map: Tunisia#Mediterranean#Africa
Settlement.pushpin_map_caption: Location in Tunisia
Settlement.subdivision_type: Country
Settlement.subdivision_type1: Governorate
Settlement.subdivision_name1: Kairouan Governorate
Settlement.subdivision_type2: Delegation(s)
Settlement.subdivision_name2: Kairouan North, Kairouan South
Settlement.established_title: Founded
Settlement.established_date: 670 CE
Settlement.founder: Uqba ibn Nafi

Article

29 sections

Contents

Etymology
History
Foundation and early Islamic period
Aghlabid period
Fatimid and Zirid period
Later history
Geography
Location
Climate
Demographics
Religion
Main sights
Great Mosque of Kairouan
Mosque of the Three Doors
Mosque of the Barber
Aghlabid basins
Economy
Industry
Agriculture
Tourism
Food
In popular culture
Notable people
Twin towns
Gallery
See also
Notes
References
External links

==Etymology== The name ( al-Qayrawān) is an Arabic word meaning "military group" or "caravan", borrowed early on from the Middle Persian word kārawān (modern Persian kârvân), meaning "military column" (kâr "people/military" + vân "outpost") or "caravan" (see caravanserai). In Berber, the city used to be called Tikirwan, thought to be an adaptation of the Arabic name. It has also been romanized as Cairoan in early modern English.