Trailblazing women - Fatima Al-Fihri

Fatima Al-Fihri

Trailblazing women!

I love trailblazing Muslim women, badass women who, regardless of the patriarchy system they have found themselves continue to do, be and excel in all fronts. First on my list is Fatima Al-Fihri, the founder of Al-Qarawiyyin University, which happens to be the world's oldest university. 

Yes, you thought right, Fatima Al-Fihri - a Muslimah was the first person to build a degree-awarding university. The University of Al Qarawiyyin was established in 859CE in Fez Morroco. 

Fatima Al Fihri was an epitome of faith, born in 800 Ad in the north of Tunisia to wealthy parents. She moved to Morocco with her family later in life. Well trained and educated, she and her sister – Mariam - were lucky to have their curiosity and talents nurtured and encouraged by their family and their environment. She built and established the Masjid al Qarawiyyin for her community – Qarawan when she got to Morocco and established the first university there with her own fund. This project she personally supervised. 

You know what surprised me the most with Fatima's story is that throughout the building of the university as she supervised the building, she was also fasting. She had promised that she would fast until the project was complicated, and she did. Wow!

Fatima, a global hero and a selfless leader, taught in the university after it was built, and this university continues to thrive and excels to date.  Its graduates include mathematicians, poets, doctors, philosophers, etc. This trailblazer established the university concept as we know it today and gave us all an opportunity to have a higher form of education.

It still amazes me that while Europe was besieged with the dark ages, the Arab world (Africa) was thriving in its accent into the Golden age of science, medicine, and technology. One of the people behind this feat is a Black African Muslim woman.

Fatima Al Fihri is one of my mentors, as I strive to be an epitome of faith, a pioneer, a selfless leader, a trailblazer, and a global Hero. Founding Mumtaz mind and wellness studio is one of my legacies in been a trailblazer and a pioneer. If you are a woman like me, find your purpose, thrive, and excel. You just never know you may be the next trailblazer the world is waiting for.


Kindly let us know in the comment box which part of her story resonates with you the most and your legacy. Remember to click the share button and share it far and wide.

13 Comments

Oluwatoyin Ogunkanmi

Date 7/13/2020

Aminat Subair

Date 7/13/2020

Hauwau Bello

Date 7/13/2020

HARATU DAUDA

Date 7/13/2020

Hauwa Bello

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Raheemah Odusote

Date 7/13/2020

Hauwau Bello

Date 7/13/2020

Sherifat Ibrahim

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Anifat

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Sherifat Olabode

Date 7/13/2020

Nimah

Date 7/16/2020

Haleemah

Date 7/19/2020

Fatima Mohammed

Date 7/19/2020

Saheedat

Date 7/19/2020

Haritha

Date 7/19/2020

Asepaovexy

Date 3/8/2022

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