The Safaria blog · Vol. 01

Fatima al-Fihri and al-Qarawiyyin

The woman who gave Fès its light

859Fès2 min read6 panels

Fès, 9th century. Coming from Kairouan, the family of Mohammed al-Fihri settles on the bank of the Kairouanis.

When her father, a rich merchant, dies, Fatima inherits a great fortune with her sister Mariam.

859: Fatima starts building a mosque for her quarter. Tradition says she fasted until the work was finished.

The al-Qarawiyyin mosque grows over the dynasties and becomes the heart of Fès.

Jurists, grammarians, astronomers and physicians teach there.

To this day, al-Qarawiyyin is cited as the oldest educational institution still operating in the world.

The end

Dates and facts are historical; the dialogue is imagined for the story. Characters are drawn as silhouettes, out of respect.

Historical landmarks

Founded in 859 (245 AH) by Fatima al-Fihri.
Her sister Mariam founded the Andalusian mosque on the other bank.
The medina of Fès has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981.

Sources

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