Fatima Al-Fihri (also known as Fatima al-Fihriya or Fatima bint Muhammad al-Fihriya al-Qurashiya) was a Muslim woman from Tunisia who is credited with founding the world's first university, the University of Al Quaraouiyine, in Fez, Morocco, in the 9th century.
Fatima Al-Fihri was born into a wealthy family in the city of Kairouan, Tunisia, in the year 800 AD. Along with her family, she later moved to Fez, Morocco, where she and her sister inherited a large sum of money from their father.
Rather than using the money for personal gain, Fatima Al-Fihri decided to use it to benefit her community by building a mosque and then later, the University of Al Quaraouiyine. The university was initially intended to be a mosque, but Fatima Al-Fihri added a library and a place for students to live, making it an educational institution that provided comprehensive education to students from all over the world.
The University of Al Quaraouiyine was an educational institution where science, mathematics, literature, grammar, and religion were studied together. The University of Al Quaraouiyine remains a testament to the enduring legacy of Fatima Al-Fihri's vision of promoting access to education and knowledge for all, regardless of their background or gender.
Fatima Al-Fihri's dedication to education and her commitment to community service has made her an important historical figure.
Despite her significant contributions to education and the founding of the world's first university, Fatima Al-Fihri is not as widely remembered as some of her contemporaries.