By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Few people know this, but many of the advancements that have taken place around the world may not be possible if it were not for Fatima al-Fihri. Fatima was a Muslim woman from Tunisia who founded the first known university more than 1,000 years ago that ultimately paved the way for modern universities around the globe.
Nestled in the vibrant city of Fez in Morocco, lies the University of al-Qarawiyyin – a grand institution steeped in history and culture that has stood the test of time. Founded over a thousand years ago in 859 AD by a Muslim woman named Fatima al-Fihri, it is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest existing and continually operating educational institution in the world. Its impact on higher education and its evolution from a mosque to a center for learning have paved the way for modern universities around the globe.
Fatima al-Fihri was born into a wealthy merchant family in Tunisia, and like many others of her time, education was highly valued in her family. She and her sister Mariam were given the best education possible, including religious studies, and the family was deeply committed to Islam. In the early 9th century, the al-Fihri family, along with many other Arabic people, left Tunisia and emigrated to Fez, which was then a bustling, cosmopolitan metropolis. They settled in the district of al-Qarawiyyin, named after their place of origin, Qayrawan in Tunisia.
“When her father died, Fatima inherited his fortune. The sisters then decided to invest the money in something that would benefit their local community,” writes history journalist Moin Qazi. “They chose to build a mosque, which over time evolved into a center for higher education.”
“In the world of Islam, higher education together with religious and literary sciences was practiced in masjids (mosques) and sometimes in the houses of the ‘mudarris’ (professors), in accordance with medieval tradition. Starting from the ninth century A.D., separate madrasahs began to be established next to masjids. These madrasas were called ‘mosques,’ which means ‘gatherer’ in Arabic. In Europe, the Latin word ‘Universitatis’ was used as the equivalent of the word ‘mosque’. Universities were divided into kulliyahs (faculties), and each kulliyah offered education in a different field of science,” explains Qazi.
The University of al-Qarawiyyin was initially a madrasah (school) that taught Islamic law, theology, and Arabic language and literature, along with mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and music. The school attracted many scholars from all over the world, including renowned thinkers and intellectuals such as Ibn Khaldun and Ibn Rushd (also known as Averroes).
As the reputation of the madrasah grew, it attracted students from far and wide, and the original mosque was expanded to accommodate the growing student body. Over time, the University of al-Qarawiyyin became one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the Islamic world. It attracted students from as far afield as sub-Saharan Africa, Spain, and Egypt, and it was particularly renowned for its focus on Islamic studies.
“At its height in the 14th century, the University of al-Qarawiyyin boasted an attendance of over 8,000 students who came to study Islamic law, theology, Arabic language and literature, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and other subjects,” notes historian of antiquity Ivan Van Sertima.
The University of al-Qarawiyyin’s importance and influence continued to grow throughout the Middle Ages, and the school played a key role in the intellectual and cultural exchange between the Islamic world and Europe. The school’s reputation was further enhanced when Pope Sylvester II (946–1003), a famous mathematician and philosopher, studied there before becoming pope.
However, by the 19th century, the University of al-Qarawiyyin had declined in importance, and it had become a small, elite school catering to the Sultan of Morocco’s family and government administrators. It wasn’t until the modern Moroccan state was formed in 1947 that the madrasah was incorporated into the state public educational system, and in 1963 it was renamed the University of AlQarawiyyin.
“The university still emphasizes Islamic religious and legal studies, and classes are taught in the traditional style of a teacher surrounded by a half-circle of students, reading and discussing texts. Other subjects are also covered, including technology,” notes Moin Qazi.
Today, the University of alQarawiyyin remains a highly respected institution of higher learning in Morocco and around the world, and remains a symbol of the enduring power of education to transform lives and communities. The school’s continued legacy is a testament to the vision and determination of Fatima alFihri, who sought to create an institution that would benefit her community and promote education and learning. Her legacy has endured for over a thousand years and has inspired generations of students and scholars to pursue knowledge and understanding.
