Fatma al-Fihri

Founder of the world's oldest continuously operating university, Al-Qarawiyyin, revolutionizing education in the Islamic world.

Fatma al-Fihri (c. 800 CE) was a Muslim scholar and philanthropist from Fes, Morocco, whose legacy endures through the establishment of Al-Qarawiyyin University. Born into the wealthy Fihri family, she used her inheritance to construct a mosque and educational institution that became a beacon of knowledge during the Islamic Golden Age. The university's curriculum included theology, law, astronomy, and mathematics, attracting scholars from across the Islamic world. Al-Qarawiyyin not only preserved classical knowledge but also facilitated cross-cultural exchanges, influencing medieval European universities. Fatma's vision ensured women's participation in education—a radical move for her time—by allowing female students to enroll in specific programs. Her contributions laid foundations for modern academic systems, making her a pivotal figure in global educational history.