Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate population are women — but did you know the world’s first university was founded by a woman? 🤯
Meet Fatima al-Fihri, the 9th-century Muslim refugee who built education itself — literally. This episode of For the Love of History dives into the incredible story of how one woman in medieval Morocco changed the entire world’s relationship with knowledge.
TK takes us on a whirlwind journey through Fatima’s life, legacy, and revolutionary spirit, revealing how her creation — Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez — became the model for every modern university that followed. From the tassels on your graduation cap to the oral defense of your thesis, it all started with Fatima.
✨ You’ll learn:
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How a Muslim refugee woman built the first degree-granting university in 859 CE 🕌
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Why Fez, Morocco, became the intellectual capital of the medieval world
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How Al-Qarawiyyin University inspired Oxford, Al-Azhar, and the European Renaissance
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The forgotten role of women in Islamic education
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And how a modern Muslim architect, Aziza Chaouni, is continuing Fatima’s legacy today
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🧠 Fun fact:
Fatima not only funded the university herself — she designed it, supervised construction, and studied there once it opened. Talk about a lifelong learner!

💬 Why This Story Matters
Fatima al-Fihri’s story isn’t just about history — it’s about visibility. She proved that education, innovation, and progress are universal human rights, not privileges for men or the West.
If you’ve ever set foot on a college campus, taken an online class, or proudly donned a graduation gown, you have Fatima to thank.

✨ CTA: If this story inspired you, leave a review and share the episode with your favorite lifelong learner. Because history, like education, is always better when it’s shared.

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Fatima al-Fihri: The Woman Who Founded the World’s First University

For the Love of History - world history, women’s history, weird history

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