Have you ever stopped to think: where did the concept of a university originate? Not the shiny new buildings we know now, nor the aristocratic Ivy League schools but the original building where minds converged ideas flowered and learning was shared in a structured manner. You may be surprised to know that the history of the first-ever university didn't start in Europe and it didn't originate in ancient Rome or Greece either. But this amazing chapter of human life began in the middle of North Africa in Fez, Morocco, during 859 AD.
 |
| University of al-Qarawiyyin |
The Woman Behind It All: Fatima al-Fihri
The founder was not a king, a scholar an official
but a woman named Fatima al-Fihri the
daughter of a successful merchant. After coming into a great fortune from her
father she didn't construct a palace or a monument in her honor. She constructed
a mosque and to it something much more lasting a center of scholarship that
became what we today refer to as the University of al-Qarawiyyin.
This wasn’t just a religious school. It was a place
where mathematics, astronomy, law, medicine and philosophy were taught.
Scholars from all over the Islamic world and even Europe came to study there.
And guess what? The university still operates today over 1160 years later making
it the oldest existing and continually operating degree granting institution in
the world as recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records.
Fatima's gift is not merely about school it's about
vision, openness, and foresight. She established a secure welcoming environment where information could
be nurtured across cultures and generations. It welcomed students of other
faiths and nations years before the world even had visions of globalization.
 |
| Fatima al-Fihri |
What Makes It a Real University?
Some will say, wasn't it simply a madrasa? Yes and
no. It had religious roots but what distinguished al-Qarawiyyin as a genuine
university is what we have come to know today in tertiary education an
organized curriculum, formal degrees and an erudite faculty and academic
freedom. It was not strictly for theology. it encouraged argumentation research
and multicultural exchange of ideas.
Some of its former students are such legendary minds
as Averroes (Ibn Rushd) and **Maimonides** whose contributions shaped both
Islamic and Western thought. The ancient library of the university continues to
store centuries-old handwritten manuscripts.
The European Chapter: Bologna
Now let's move on to Europe. In 1088, the University of Bologna was conceived in Italy. It's commonly branded the
first "modern" university since it established a new format—one in
which professors and students were a universitas an entity with autonomy. It taught law and went on to become a model for
universities such as Oxford and Paris.
Although Bologna was more politically autonomous and
secular than al-Qarawiyyin, it followed later and still rests on the shoulders
of intellectual traditions established earlier in the East.
 |
| University of Bologna |
Hubs of Ancient Knowledge that Shaped the World
Other locations should be mentioned as well. Ancient
Nalanda University in India was a booming hub of Buddhist education as far back
as the 5th century AD, with thousands of scholars and hundreds of courses
offered. Unfortunately, it was destroyed and forgotten for centuries. Then
there is Al-Azhar University in Cairo, established in 970 AD, which continues
to be a center for Islamic education.
But among them all only al-Qarawiyyin has survived,
intact, through centuries of cultural revolutions, colonization, and political
instability.
 |
| Nalanda University in India |
Why This Story Matters
When we praise knowledge and education, we tend to
forget the deeper roots that extend further than Europe. This narrative isn't
just about the oldest university—it's a testament to the fact that education
has always been global, varied, and often pioneered by visionaries in
unfamiliar locations.
Fatima al-Fihri's legacy is a lovely reminder that
power and politics aren't necessary to transform the world—you need vision,
intention, and a passion for learning. And maybe, in our ever-accelerating
digital era, the humble origins of al-Qarawiyyin remind us of a truth we tend
to lose sight of: **actual education isn't about buildings or brands—it's about
curiosity, connection, and community.
Even today, this university exists not only as a
center of learning, but also as a symbol of enduring values—where learning is
revered, students are treated with respect, and knowledge is a common human
heritage.
Did You Know?
Fatima fasted during the entire construction of the university she had established an act of religious dedication signifying her faith in knowledge as a sacred way.
|
B |
R |
A |
I |
N |
|
S |
H |
A |
R |
P |
E |
N |
E |
R |
Z |
Z |
|
T |
A |
I |
M |
E |
Z |
1. Where was the world’s first
university established?
a) Greece
b) Italy
c) Morocco
d) India
2. Who founded the University of al-Qarawiyyin?
a) Ibn Sina
b) Fatima al-Fihri
c) Maimonides
d) Averroes
3. In what year was the University
of al-Qarawiyyin founded?
a) 1088 AD
b) 859 AD
c) 970 AD
d) 1010 AD
4. What subject was not
typically taught at al-Qarawiyyin?
a) Astronomy
b) Medicine
c) Architecture
d) Law
5. Which of these scholars studied
at or was influenced by al-Qarawiyyin?
a) Socrates
b) Maimonides
c) Galileo
d) Newton
6. Which university is often called
the first “modern” university in Europe?
a) Oxford
b) Paris
c) Bologna
d) Salamanca
7. How long has the University of
al-Qarawiyyin been continuously operating?
a) 500 years
b) 800 years
c) 1000 years
d) Over 1,160 years
8. What made al-Qarawiyyin a “real”
university, not just a religious school?
a) It was only for male scholars
b) It focused solely on theology
c) It had a structured curriculum and granted degrees
d) It was run by the government
9. Which ancient university in India
was a major Buddhist learning center?
a) Taxila
b) Nalanda
c) Al-Azhar
d) Alexandria
10. What unique personal commitment
did Fatima al-Fihri make during the university’s construction?
a) She wrote all the manuscripts
b) She fasted the entire time
c) She taught the first class
d) She donated her entire fortune to students
Comments
Post a Comment