AlZaytuna

AlZaytuna, also written Ez-Zitouna or Zitouna, refers to the historic area around the Zitouna Mosque in the medina of Tunis, Tunisia. The name is linked to the mosque and to the long tradition of Islamic learning that developed there. Zitouna Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Africa, with foundations traditionally dating to the 7th–8th centuries, and it grew into a leading center of Qur’anic interpretation, hadith, fiqh (jurisprudence), theology, and Arabic linguistics. Scholars from across the Maghreb and beyond established schools around its courtyard and library.

During the medieval period, particularly under the Hafsid dynasty, the complex functioned as a residential and educational hub often described as a university within a mosque. It attracted jurists and teachers who tutored students in Islamic sciences, rhetoric, and grammar, helping to shape Tunisian and Maghrebi scholarship.

In the modern era, the Al-Zaytuna complex remains a place of worship and a symbol of Tunisia's religious and educational heritage. The district forms part of the historic medina of Tunis, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is also associated with the broader public recognition of Zitouna as a traditional center of learning; in contemporary Tunisia, the Zitouna ecosystem has continued to influence religious studies and public life.

Architecture-wise, the Zitouna Mosque features a large prayer hall, historic minaret, and an adjoining courtyard framed by arcades and classrooms; the surrounding neighborhood preserves traditional houses and markets that historically supported the scholars and students who lived and studied there.