Fatima al-Fihri

Fatima al-Fihri was an influential Muslim woman born in the 9th century, known for founding the oldest existing and continually operating university, the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University in Fez, Morocco, around 859 AD. She used her inheritance to establish this educational institution, which became a center for religious, scientific, and cultural learning. Her dedication to knowledge and education contributed significantly to the development of higher education in the Islamic world and globally. Fatima al-Fihri is celebrated as a pioneer for women in academia and a symbol of the enduring pursuit of knowledge.