Fatima al-Fihri

Founded the world's first degree-granting university challenging medieval education norms

Born in 800 CE to a wealthy merchant family in Tunisia, Fatima al-Fihri revolutionized education during the Islamic Golden Age. After inheriting her father's fortune, she invested it all to establish Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez, Morocco (859 CE) - recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the oldest existing educational institution granting degrees.

What made Fatima extraordinary was her vision to create an inclusive learning center during an era when formal education was largely restricted. The university became a beacon for scholars across religions and cultures, teaching subjects from astronomy to linguistics. Notable alumni include Jewish philosopher Maimonides and Muslim geographer Muhammad al-Idrisi.

Her architectural innovation included a library preserving over 4,000 manuscripts, some dating to 7th-century Islam. This "House of Wisdom" withstood political upheavals through 12 centuries, symbolizing endurance of knowledge against chaos.