Aramfo Foundation

When going to Egypt, one is thrust into the culture with the first steps off the plane. All around there are astounding architectural marvels which put most American built “grandeurs” and monuments to shame. It’s easy to believe that after seeing the pyramids, the epitome of Egyptian ingenuity and history, that anything that would have been seen before hand would be instantly forgotten. However, that is not true by any means.

The temple of Luxor is an ancient Egyptian temple located on the east bank of the Nile River.  The Luxor Temple is located in the center of town in Luxor. While we drove by in our bus we could see the majestic mile and a half of sphinxes that line the entrance to the temple. They connect the Luxor temple with the temple of Karnak.  As you walk up to the temple of Luxor you are greeted by two awe-inspiring eighty foot tall statues of Rameses II.  They are both seated on either side of the entrance to the temple. You are also greeted by a huge eighty two foot pink granite obelisk. There were originally two granite obelisks now there is just one; the other is in Paris, France given by Egypt in the early 19^th century (Atherton, 186).

On March 31, 1914; Husayn Rushdi, minister of Justice and the University Rector was speaking at the university's ground ceremony for a new building, he said: 

"On the eastern side of Cairo, al-Azhar has stood for nearly a 1000 years. It has been a lofty beacon sending light all directions and immortalizing the sciences of the Arabs and the civilization of Islam. Now here is the new university which will be built in the age on the western side of the city to spread Arabic sciences together with Western learning. These twin brothers will cooperate henceforth in enlightening both banks of the blessed Nile, from the right and from the left, in the things which will restore the people of the valley to complete well-being and full glory."