Zitouna

Zitouna refers to the Al-Zaytuna Mosque in the medina of Tunis, Tunisia, and to the historic educational tradition associated with it, often called Al-Zaytuna University. The name Zitouna comes from the Arabic al-zaytuna, meaning the olive tree or olive grove, a reference linked to the site's surroundings.

Al-Zaytuna Mosque is one of North Africa’s oldest mosques and has long served as a religious, educational, and cultural center. Founded in the early Islamic period, it developed into a major learning hub where scholars taught Islamic law, theology, Qur’anic studies, grammar, and the sciences of the day. The site housed a library and madrasa network that contributed to the intellectual life of the Maghreb and beyond. Over the centuries, it attracted jurists, theologians, and students, and it played a pivotal role in the spread of the Maliki school of jurisprudence in the region.

The educational tradition at Zitouna evolved into what is commonly described as Al-Zaytuna University, one of the oldest continuously operating centers of higher learning in the Muslim world and Africa. Its curriculum historically emphasized religious sciences but also engaged philosophy, rhetoric, and translations. The university influenced generations of scholars and state administrators, including the late medieval to early modern periods’ thinkers, such as Ibn Khaldun, who studied and taught there at various times.

In modern times, Zitouna has undergone reform and renovation while preserving its historic role. Today, it remains a symbol of Tunisian heritage, continuing to educate students in Islamic sciences alongside the broader educational landscape of Tunisia.