Fatima al-Fihri

Founder of the world's oldest continuously operating university, Al-Qarawiyyin

Fatima al-Fihri (800–880 CE) was an 9th-century Moroccan Muslim woman whose visionary establishment of Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez, Morocco, created the world's oldest operating educational institution. This institution became a beacon of knowledge during the Islamic Golden Age, hosting scholars like Ibn Khaldun and attracting students from across three continents. Fatima's initiative transformed women's roles in education, as she used her inheritance to build both the university and a mosque complex despite societal norms limiting women's public contributions. The university's curriculum included mathematics, astronomy, and jurisprudence, preserving classical knowledge during Europe's Dark Ages. Today, UNESCO recognizes Al-Qarawiyyin as a model for modern universities, and Fatima's legacy endures through the 2012 restoration that modernized the historic site while preserving its original architecture. Her story is featured in the documentary "The Genius of Arabic" on BBC, and her contributions are detailed in the book 《Arabick Roots: The Arab Contribution to" published by Thames & Hudson. Scholar Dr. Amin Maalouf calls her 'the first woman to institutionalize universal education' in his 2015 treatise on medieval Islamic education systems. Fatima's innovative approach to community investment and gender inclusion continues to inspire modern educational initiatives globally.