University of al-Qarawiyyin

This area in the medina of Fès is probably one of the most historic in the city. The Al-Attarine Madrasa is just one part of a complex of buildings which are nearby. When I went to the top of the Al-Attarine Madrasa, you can actually see the city. It wasn’t that high up that you can see much but what is important is that you can see a nearby structure with prominent green roofs. Apparently, that is the University of al-Qarawiyyin, called the oldest continually operating university in the world. It is also been called the oldest university, period. They were the first to provide certification of completion of studies based on what the students studied. It is pretty much the equivalent of modern day college degrees. But this was all done in the year 859.

I have probably walked past this university earlier but like the other structures here, there was no indication to the importance of the building. The streets near it weren’t any bigger nor where there any large signs pointing to it. Maybe there was but maybe it was written in Arabic. The main subjects here in the university are religious ones with some non-religious ones thrown in. Because of this, Fès became known as the place for religious studies. Students from all over the region would come here for studies. The library inside the university is also considered the oldest in the world. While the Muslims are often criticized for their unfair treatment of women, it should be noted that the University of al-Qarawiyyin itself was established by a woman. In 1940, female students were allowed in the university as well. However, only Muslims are allowed to enter the university.

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