Al-Qarawiyyin: The oldest university in the Arab and Islamic world, and perhaps in the world (history, education, civilization)

Al-Qarawiyyin University is a university located in Fez, Morocco. It has the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously operating higher education institutions in the world, if not the oldest.

Establishment and history

The University of Al-Qarawiyin was founded by Fatima Fihri, a religious and wealthy Muslim woman, in 859 CE. Fatima migrated with her sister Mariam from Kairouan (present-day Tunisia) to Fez. After the death of their father they inherited a great fortune. Fatima decided to invest her share of the inheritance in building a mosque for her community. This mosque, named after the villagers, quickly developed into one of the leading educational centers in the Islamic world.

Over the centuries, the city of the villagers has expanded physically and academically. The mosque was expanded and developed into a school, which eventually developed into a university. This transformation was officially recognized in 1963 when the University of Al-Qarawiyyin was integrated into the modern public university system in Morocco.

The university complex saw extensive additions and renovations in the XII and XVIII centuries. The mosque building itself is an important complex of historic Moroccan and Islamic architecture, incorporating elements from different periods of Moroccan history.

Academic focus and impact

Al-Qarawiyin University has a strong academic focus on Islamic religious and legal sciences. It places great emphasis on classical Arabic grammar, linguistics, and Maliki law, and has its own strengths. The Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence is one of the four main schools of jurisprudence or religious law in Sunni Islam. It was founded by Malik ibn Anas in the eighth century and is practiced in many parts of the Islamic world.

In addition to her focus on Islamic studies, the villagers also offer classes on non-Islamic subjects. This reflects the University's commitment to providing a holistic education that meets the diverse interests and needs of its students.

Impact on education

Al-Qarawiyyin has been one of the leading spiritual and educational centers in the Islamic world for more than one thousand and one hundred years. She has contributed significantly to the fields of language, literature, philosophy, astronomy and medicine, as well as Islamic law and jurisprudence. The university has contributed in particular to the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence.

The university's influence extends far beyond the Arab and Muslim world. It played an important role in cultural exchange and knowledge transfer between Muslims and Europeans during the Middle Ages. It was also the first educational institution to award degrees, a practice adopted by universities around the world.

The founding of the villagers by Fatima Fihri, a woman, in the ninth century is a testament to the important role of women and their contribution to Islamic civilization. The university was open to people of all ages, social classes and religions, reflecting Fatima Fihri's exceptional vision for her community and her innovative mindset to transform education.

The university continues to enrich scientific and intellectual discussions in various fields. It has produced a number of prominent scholars who have had a strong influence on the intellectual and academic fields of the Islamic world. These scientists have made significant contributions in various fields of study and have played a key role in developing knowledge and promoting intellectual growth.

Outstanding Alumni

Al-Qarawiyin University has produced many outstanding graduates over the centuries. Among the most prominent of them are:

• Maimonides (Maimonides): Jewish philosopher and one of the most prolific and influential biblical scholars of the Middle Ages.

• Abdelkrim: Moroccan political and military leader who led a large-scale revolt against the French and Spanish colonization of the Rif.

• Leo the African: Andalusian diplomat and author best known for his book on the geography of the Maghreb.

• Allal El Fassi: Moroccan politician, writer, poet and Islamic researcher.

• Abu Madin: An influential Andalusian mystic and great Sufi teacher.

Courses & Programs

Education at Al-Qarawiyyin University focuses on Islamic religious and legal sciences with a strong focus on classical Arabic grammar/linguistics and Maliki law. However, classes on non-Islamic subjects are also offered to students. The university initially focused on religious education, but its fields of study quickly expanded to include logic, medicine, mathematics, and astronomy, among many others.

Architecture

The mosque building itself is an important complex of historical Moroccan and Islamic architecture that features elements from different periods of Moroccan history. The library features beautiful Andalusian decorative details including carved stucco wood, stone minarets, blue and white tiles and magnificent marble fountains. The design of the library is characterized by endless rows of round arches.

Library

The Al-Qarawiyyin Library is the oldest continuous library in the world. Dating back to 859 AD, it is home to some of the world's most valuable manuscripts from the ninth century, including an older copy of the Qur'an and one of the oldest collections of hadiths8. The library has undergone a multi-million dollar restoration over the past four years. The restoration process includes a state-of-the-art laboratory that can digitize and restore these texts, as well as repair holes in old paper rolls, and prevent cracks in the rolls.

Outstanding professors

Al-Qarawiyin University was home to many famous scientists and professors. For example, the famous geographer and cartographer, Mohamed al-Idrissi, is said to have spent a considerable amount of time in Fez, suggesting that he may have worked or studied in the villagers. Another prominent figure believed to have taught at the villagers was the Jewish philosopher and legal scholar Maimonides.

Highlights

Villagers played an important role in cultural exchange and knowledge transfer between Muslims and Europeans during the Middle Ages. It was also the first educational institution to award degrees, a practice adopted by universities around the world. The university's library, which is considered the oldest in the world, contains some of the oldest preserved manuscripts in Islamic history, and is now one of the most important libraries in the Islamic and Arab worlds.

Impact on Education in the Arab and Muslim World

Al-Qarawiyin University has had a profound impact on education in the Arab and Islamic world and beyond. It has been one of the leading spiritual and educational centers in the Islamic world for more than one thousand and one hundred years. The university has contributed significantly in the fields of language, literature, philosophy, astronomy and medicine, as well as Islamic law and jurisprudence. The university has contributed in particular to the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence.

The Al-Qarawiyyin Foundation was the first educational institution to award degrees, a practice adopted by universities around the world. This highlights the pioneering role played by villagers in shaping the modern education system.

Impact on society

As mentioned earlier, the establishment of the city of al-Qarawiyin by Fatima al-Fihri, a woman, in the ninth century is a testament to the important role of women and their contribution to Islamic civilization. The university was open to people of all ages, social classes and religions, reflecting Fatima Fihri's exceptional vision for her community and her innovative mindset to transform education.

The university continues to enrich scientific and intellectual discussions in various fields. It has produced a number of prominent scholars who have had a strong influence on the intellectual and academic fields of the Islamic world. These scientists have made significant contributions in various fields of study and have played a key role in advancing knowledge and promoting intellectual growth.

On the world stage, villagers, in the Middle Ages, played a leading role in cultural exchange and knowledge transfer between Muslims and Europeans. This highlights the important role of the University in promoting intercultural dialogue and promoting mutual understanding among different civilizations.

Recognition and legacy

Al-Qarawiyyin University is recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating university in the world. It is also the first educational institution in the world to award a degree. This honor confirms the University's significant contributions to the development of the education system and its leading role in shaping the modern education system3.

Students from all over Morocco and Muslim West Africa attend the university, some of whom also come from abroad. Women were first admitted to the institution in the forties, reflecting the university's commitment to inclusivity and gender equality.

The university continues to attract students from all over Morocco and Muslim West Africa, some also coming from abroad.

Al-Qarawiyin University is a shining beacon of the rich history and learning traditions of the Arab and Islamic world. Her enduring legacy of inspiration and education continues to be a testament to the power of knowledge and the importance of intellectual pursuit. For more than a thousand years, villagers have been a symbol of enlightenment and wisdom, and a testament to the rich intellectual heritage of the Arab and Islamic world.