A Thousand Years of breaking barriers in education

Fatima al-Fihri was a Muslim woman from Tunisia who founded the first known University, The University of al-Quaraouiyine, in Fez, Morocco, more than 1,000 years ago. Guinness World Records acknowledges it as the oldest and continually operating educational institution globally.

Fatema al-Fihriya did more than establish a University—she stayed involved in its development. She is believed to have attended lectures with students, showing her strong dedication to education.

At a time when women were often denied formal education, she not only pursued knowledge but created an institution that would shape generations of scholars.

More than a thousand years later, the struggle for women's education continues in many parts of the world. Yet, like Fatema, countless women have refused to accept barriers, forging paths toward learning against all odds.

Fatema al-Fihriya was born in Tunisia in the early 9th century. She belonged to a well-respected and devout Muslim family. Her father, Mohammed al-Fihri, was a wealthy merchant who valued education and ensured that his daughters, Fatema and Mariam, received solid education in Islamic studies, mathematics, and literature—something rare for women then.

In the 9th century, her family moved from Tunisia to Fez. After her father's death, Fatema inherited a large fortune. Instead of keeping it for herself, she and her sister used the money to help their community.

In 859 AD, Fatema founded Al Quaraouiyine Mosque and University, naming it after her hometown. She oversaw its construction, ensuring a prayer hall, classrooms, a library, and a courtyard. At first, it focused on religious studies, but over time, it expanded to subjects like math, medicine, and astronomy.

Scholars worldwide came to study there. Unlike many medieval institutions, Al Quaraouiyine welcomed scholars from diverse backgrounds, including Muslims, Jews, and Christians.

Over time, it became a leading centre for intellectual exchange, attracting thinkers such as Ibn Khaldun, Maimonides, and Pope Sylvester II, who introduced Arabic.

Education has been reserved for the elite, predominantly men, for centuries. Many girls worldwide still face challenges in accessing education.

According to UNESCO, over 129 million girls remain out of school due to factors such as poverty, early marriage, and societal restrictions.

In Afghanistan, young girls attend underground schools. In Sudan, women risk their lives to continue studying amid conflict. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS) survey conducted in 2023, over a million secondary school students dropped out after COVID-19, and 55% are girls.

The journey is far from over, but each generation builds upon the sacrifices of those before them.

In many parts of the world, girls have faced opposition from societal norms, family expectations, and laws restricting their study rights. Child marriage is one of the issues that Bangladesh has yet to battle since it has increased over the years.

Yet, as history has shown, women have repeatedly proven that these obstacles will not deter them. Figures like Begum Rokeya advocated for women's rights and education in British-occupied India, and Nawab Faizunnesa is particularly renowned for her efforts in establishing schools for women in 19th-century Bengal.

Apart from education, women have contributed in numerous fields from time to time. From pioneering female scientists and mathematicians like Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie to modern-day trailblazers like Maya Angelou and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in the literary world, women's voices have influenced education and the direction of global thought.

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