Fatima al-Fihri is traditionally credited with founding the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez as a mosque in 859.
According to the traditional account, Fatima and her sister Mariam belonged to a wealthy family that had migrated from Kairouan, in present-day Tunisia, to Fez. After inheriting money from their father, Fatima used her inheritance to establish a mosque for the community. The institution later became a major center of Islamic learning.
Al-Qarawiyyin’s curriculum historically emphasized Quranic studies, Islamic law, Arabic grammar, and related sciences. Its teaching tradition developed over centuries rather than appearing instantly as a modern university. Morocco incorporated it into the state university system in 1963.
The founding story has important historical qualifications. Some modern historians question whether Fatima al-Fihri was a fully documented historical figure, and evidence for the institution’s earliest teaching is limited. For that reason, references usually say she is traditionally credited, rather than presenting every detail as certain contemporary documentation.