Fatima al-Fihri: The Founder of a University Standing for a Thousand Years
Shariq Ali
Valueversity
A Vision Ahead of Its Time
In the 9th century, when education was a privilege reserved for the elite and universities did not exist, a Muslim woman envisioned a dream that changed history. That woman was Fatima al-Fihri, who founded the world’s first university in Fez, Morocco—an institution that remains standing to this day.
From Tunisia to Morocco
Born around 800 CE in Kairouan (modern-day Tunisia), Fatima came from a wealthy merchant family. Unlike most girls of her time, she was fortunate to receive a high level of education. When her family moved to Fez, Morocco, which was emerging as a center of knowledge and culture, Fatima realized the need for a dedicated educational institution and envisioned establishing one.
The Founding of Al-Qarawiyyin University
After her father’s passing, Fatima chose to invest her inheritance not in luxury but in the construction of a lasting center for knowledge. In 859 CE, during the holy month of Ramadan, she laid the foundation of Al-Qarawiyyin University, personally overseeing every aspect of its construction. Initially built as a mosque, it soon evolved into a center for mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and medicine—centuries before European universities were established.
A Hub of Knowledge and Scholarship
Al-Qarawiyyin University attracted scholars from around the world. Great thinkers like Ibn Khaldun (the father of sociology) and Ibn Rushd (the renowned philosopher) studied or taught there. European scholars, including Gerard of Cremona, traveled to Fez to translate Arabic books into Latin, thus transmitting Islamic knowledge to Europe.
A Timeless Legacy
Although some historians debate the exact founding details, Fatima al-Fihri’s significant role in establishing this university is undisputed. More than 1,000 years later, Al-Qarawiyyin University still operates as the world’s oldest continually running university, officially recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records.
This story reminds us that education is a gift that endures. Fatima al-Fihri proved that the power of knowledge can shape the future.