 The conservative tradition of the mosque , with its lack of attention to science , was shaken by Napoleon 's invasion . A seminal innovation occurred with the introduction of printing presses to Egypt , finally enabling the curriculum to shift from oral lectures and memorization to instruction by text , though the mosque itself only acquired its own printing press in 1930 . Upon the withdrawal of the French , Muhammad Ali Pasha encouraged the establishment of secular learning , and history , math , and modern science were adopted into the curriculum . By 1872 , under the direction of Jamāl al @-@ Dīn al @-@ Afghānī , European philosophy was also added to the study program . 
