Post by Taz Latif

☪️ Day 2 of 30 | Ramadan Series: Muslims Who Shaped the World ☪️ In 859 CE, a Muslim woman used her inheritance to build what would become the world’s first and oldest continuously operating university. ✨ Her name was Fatima al-Fihriya. ✨ She was the daughter of a migrant family who settled in Fez, Morocco. When her father passed away, she and her sister inherited a considerable sum of money. Rather than investing in property or trade, Fatima chose something less tangible but far more enduring: learning. She founded Al-Qarawiyyin, a mosque and centre of education that evolved into a university serving scholars for over a millennium. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, theology and philosophy were studied there, attracting students from across continents. Centuries later, European universities would emerge using similar institutional models. What moves me most is not just that she built a university, but the intention and selflessness behind it. Historical accounts describe her personally overseeing the construction while dedicating herself spiritually throughout the process. 📆 Today's equivalent? That spirit lives on through Cambridge Muslim College - who demonstrate sacred Islamic tradition can offer viable pathways for addressing global modern challenges. Different century but same belief: education changes trajectories. ‼️ P.S. graduation gowns look the way they do because they were born from Islamic clothing. There's a bit of trivia for your next water-cooler moment! This Ramadan, I’m sharing Muslims from history whose contributions still shape our world today and connecting their legacy to modern practitioners and businesses carrying that spirit forward.