The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has begun his official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt by familiarizing with the heritage of a great scholar Ahmad Farghani.
Our compatriot used to be a leading astronomer, mathematician and geographer of his time, he conducted scientific research in Baghdad and Damascus, and since 856 – in Cairo, where he lived and studied science till the end of his life.
Scientist made many important discoveries and came up with inventions. In particular, in 861, he designed a structure for measuring the water level in the Nile River, which was built on Rawdah (Rhoda) Island. This device, known as the “Nilometer”, played an essential role in planning agricultural work and forecasting natural phenomena. For almost 1200 years, the structure was used for its intended purpose until the last century. Today it is a tourist attraction.
In 2007, a monument to Ahmad Farghani was erected in the square next to the Nilometer. The President laid flowers at the monument and paid a tribute to the memory of our great ancestor.
The President inspected the Nilometer, conversed with scientists about the history of the structure and Ahmad Farghani’s research. It was emphasized that the role played by our ancestors in the history of Egypt and the legacy of the great scholar carefully preserved today are the evidence of close, centuries-long friendship between our peoples.