Egypt is much more uniform in outlook than any of the other countries of the Near East. Egypt in her long history has changed cultures and dynasties, has passed through the stages of ancient Egyptian sun worship and priestly cults, of Roman paganism, and Christianity, and finally Islam. During the centuries of Islamic rule in Egypt, the most outstanding period is that of the Fatimids. Egypt's modern history begins with Muhammad ‘Ali Pasha. Egypt has even been the cultural centre of Islam during certain periods, and at present the al Azhar University at Cairo is the mainspring of orthodox Islam, radiating influence and power near and far in the Muslim world. The Egyptian Church accepted Monophysitism mainly in opposition to the Greek Church, and has not changed her position since, although this resulted in her being cast off from the main stream of Christianity.