alFihri

Al-Fihri is an Arabic surname meaning “the Fihri” and is used by families in the Arab world. The most widely known bearer of the name is Fatima al-Fihri (also known as Fatima al-Fihri al-Qarawiyya), a medieval North African woman credited with founding the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, in 859 CE. The institution grew from a charitable foundation associated with the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and became a center of religious and secular learning in the Islamic world.

Life details about Fatima al-Fihri are sparse and often based on later sources and tradition rather than contemporaneous records. It is generally said that she inherited wealth and used part of her inheritance to fund the construction of the mosque and the associated higher education complex. The Qarawiyyin Mosque and its madrasah played a central role in teaching religious sciences, grammar, and later disciplines, attracting scholars from across the Muslim world.

Significance and legacy: The university is frequently cited as one of the oldest continually operating degree-granting universities in the world. UNESCO and other authorities have recognized its long history as a center of learning, noting its influence on science, philosophy, and culture in the medieval Islamic world. The al-Fihri name remains associated with philanthropy in education, illustrating the historical role of women in supporting scholarly and community endeavors. Today the site is part of Fez’s historic medina, a UNESCO World Heritage listing, while the Qarawiyyin campus continues to symbolize a long-standing tradition of learning.