Egyptians refer to Cairo as um al-dunya, or “mother of the world.” From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the colossal Aswan High Dam, Egyptian monuments match the country’s gargantuan reputation. Ancient Egypt was responsible for some of history's greatest monuments; many of which are still in existence today such as the Giza Pyramid complex, Sphinx, ancient Memphis, tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and temples of Abu Simbel. Egypt has been ruled by various dynasties since its ancient fame and one can find a unique combination of art and architecture that speaks to the presence of the Mamluks, Ottomans, French, and British in Cairo. Due to the growth of the historical Al Azhar University, Egypt has remained a hub for Islamic scholarship in the Arab world. In more recent history, Egypt has played a major role as mediator in the Israel-Palestine conflict was the second country to join in the Arab Spring movements that spread around the region in 2011.