Al-Qarawiyyin, Fez
The world's oldest university — founded by a Muslim woman!
Story
Did you know the OLDEST university in the entire world is in Morocco, and it was founded by a Muslim woman? Her name was Fatima al-Fihri. She was a kind, smart woman whose father had left her some money. Instead of keeping it for herself, she said, 'Let me build a place where everyone can learn.'
In the year 859 — that is over 1,160 years ago! — she started building Al-Qarawiyyin in the city of Fez. It became a huge mosque, and around it a university where students from all over the world came to study Qur'an, Arabic, math, medicine and astronomy.
Many famous people studied here, including the historian Ibn Khaldun. The university is still running today and still teaches students, making it the oldest continuously operating university on the planet — officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.
Fatima al-Fihri shows every Muslim girl and boy that one good idea, plus generosity, can change the world for over a thousand years.
Fun facts
- ✨Founded by a Muslim woman in 859 CE.
- ✨Guinness says it's the world's oldest university.