The first university in the world ku

 

The first university in the world is widely considered to be the University of al-Qarawiyyin (also spelled Al-Karaouine), located in Fez, Morocco. It was founded in 859 CE by Fatima al-Fihri, a woman scholar and philanthropist.

Al-Qarawiyyin is recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records as the oldest existing and continually operating degree-granting university in the world.

However, there are other contenders depending on how "university" is defined:

Nalanda University (India), established around the 5th century CE, was a major center of learning in ancient times, especially for Buddhist studies.

University of Bologna (Italy), founded in 1088, is often considered the oldest university in Europe and the first to use the term universitas for a community of teachers and scholars.

Today, the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, continues to function as both a religious and academic institution with a deep historical legacy. Here's a snapshot of its current status:

🎓 Academic Role

• It primarily focuses on Islamic studies, including:

  • Islamic law (fiqh)

  • Theology

  • Classical Arabic grammar and linguistics

  • Hadith and Qur'anic studies

• It also offers modern subjects such as mathematics, foreign languages, and astronomy in some programs.

• Degrees from al-Qarawiyyin are recognized by Moroccan educational authorities.

🕌 Religious Significance

• The university is closely linked with the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, which remains one of the most important places of worship and scholarship in the Islamic world.

• It is a major center for Maliki jurisprudence (the dominant school of Sunni Islam in North and West Africa).

🏛️ Cultural Heritage

• The library at al-Qarawiyyin, recently restored, is one of the oldest in the world and houses ancient manuscripts dating back over a thousand years.

• The institution and its mosque are considered treasures of Islamic architecture and are protected heritage sites.

🌍 Global Recognition

• It attracts scholars and students from around the Islamic world, especially from West Africa, the Middle East, and other parts of North Africa.

• It continues to be a symbol of female empowerment due to its founding by Fatima al-Fihri.