Fatima Al-Fihriyya: Remarkable Arab Women {Resource}
I was updating my Pinterest boards, having been inspired at my first Pinterest Party yesterday, when I came across this image of Fatima Al-Fihriyya painted by the artist Nayzak.
![]() |
Fatima Al-Fihriyya Art Nouveau by Nayzak |
Fatima Muhammad Al-Fihri (فاطمة محمد الفهري) in 859 founded a mosque and madrasa in Fes, Morocco. The madrasa, or school, came to be one of the most notable institutions of this kind; it is still in operation today, since 1963 as the University of Qarawiyyin, and is sometimes dubbed the “world’s oldest university”.
What I noticed most was the amount of color she had on. Such dazzling, brilliant colors. I feel so honored to come from the Arabic culture that gave the world brilliant women that not only start universities, but also adorn themselves in style.
I wish I had not spent so many of my own university days running into the library in sweats and flip flops. 🙂