Cairo's origins are deeply intertwined with Islamic history, established as 'Al-Qāhirah' in the 10th century.

While settlements existed in the area for millennia, the city recognized as Cairo today was officially founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty. General Jawhar al-Siqilli, leading the Fatimid army, established a new capital for the caliphate, naming it 'Al-Qāhirah', meaning 'The Victorious'. This new city was strategically located near the existing city of Fustat, which had been the first Islamic capital of Egypt after the Arab conquest in 641 CE. The Fatimid foundation laid the groundwork for Cairo's future as a major center of Islamic learning, architecture, and power, which continued through subsequent dynasties like the Ayyubids, Mamluks, and Ottomans.