WOW, why does this comment section have so much misogyny and Islamophobia? Are people seriously only looking at the Wikipedia article then stopping once their prejudices are confirmed?

How can you seriously claim that Fatima al-Fihri didn’t exist because the Rawd al-Qirtas was written centuries afterwards so it’s untrustworthy? And that’s according to “some historians” over a millenia later? Like, check the references, one is just a french guy saying in his opinion it’s too much of a coincidence that the 2 most famous mosques of Fez were built at the same time by 2 sisters??

《Tout au plus pourrait-on dire que le second, avec son parallélisme si parfait entre les deux sœurs et les deux mosquées, paraît trop beau pour être vrai.》 Le Tourneau, Roger (1949)

There are also people claiming it was just a mosque and not a learning institution…

https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2662/fatima-al-fihri-and-al-qarawiyyin-university/

-Most historians agree that Al-Qarawiyyin was the world’s first-degree granting institution, as well as a leading centre of scientific debate and scholarship that is a university. It set the standard that would become the reference point for institutions of higher learning the world over, drawing visitors, students and lecturers from all over the world.

The university’s curriculum included but was not limited to Quranic exegesis (tafsir), Islamic jurisprudence, algebra, astronomy, botany, cartography and geography, grammar, history, literature, logic, mathematics, medicine, philosophy, physics and a host of foreign languages including Greek and Latin. Notably, the mosque complex also thrived as a spiritual centre where Islamic mysticism (Sufism) and gnosis (irfan) thrived.

Al-Qarawiyyin’s famous library, which scholars came from around the world to consult, also suffered neglect resulting in a large portion of the collection being lost.

In 2012, the Al-Qarawiyyin Library was rehabilitated and curated by well-known Moroccan architect Aziza Chaouni who discovered Fatima al-Fihri’s own manuscript collections as well as a copy of her diploma from Al-Qarawiyyin in fiqh and mathematics. Since the completion of renovations, the library has been open to the public and includes “exhibition room for manuscripts, a small museum to showcase the history of the Qarawiyine complex, a laboratory for the treatment of old books, and a cafe.” (azizachaouniprojects.com).

I searched for a while to find a photograph of her diplomas on display, but couldn’t find any; if anyone else can find them, share them here! I did find pics of the first medical diploma issued though! Take a wild guess where it was issued from?

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/02/73474/al-qarawiyyin-university-in-fez-worlds-1st-institution-to-issue-medicine-degree/

The university opened in 859, issued a medical bachelor’s degree in 1207AD to a Moroccan doctor Abdellah Bensaleh El-Koutami, who practiced medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary science.

Like… c’mon. This place is truly deserving of so much respect and honour. This is such a stunningly beautiful site with so much rich historical significance, and it’s unbelievable that there are comments diminishing that and lying about “the truth”. I’ll finish off with words from an article about the library’s renovations from 2016:

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2016/11/104978/built-by-a-woman-restored-by-a-woman-qarawiyyin-symbol-of-female-endeavor/

Although the library was opened to the public in 839AD, a strict policy had been put in place, which restricted access to scholars only. Aziza, much like Fatima, wanted the library to be open to all.

After much battle, unfortunately made harder purely because of the fact that she is a woman, the Fez-born architect fought tirelessly and eventually was successful in her struggle. The re-launch of the library in January will see the library open its doors to everyone.

Following three years of restructuring, the library will open in January to the public for the first time in more than 600 years.