Fatima Al-Fihri was a remarkable 9th-century scholar and philanthropist from Fez, Morocco. She is best known for founding the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in 859 CE, recognised by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating degree-granting university in the world.
• Fatima used her inheritance to establish the university, creating a space where knowledge in fields like theology, mathematics, astronomy, law, and medicine could flourish.
• Her institution became a beacon of learning and innovation, attracting scholars from across the Islamic world and Europe, including figures like Ibn Khaldun and Maimonides.
• Fatima’s legacy reflects her values of inclusivity, community service, and the pursuit of lifelong learning, principles that continue to shape modern education.