Al-Karaouin ( al-Karaouyiyin , Arabic. جامعة القرويين , fr. Université Al-Karaouine [1] ) is a university in the city of Fes ( Morocco ). Founded by Fatima al-Fihri in 859, it is one of the spiritual and educational centers of the Islamic world . A number of scholars, philosophers, and theologians emerged from the university, having a significant impact on the development of Muslim and world culture.
| Al-karauin | |
|---|---|
| ' جامعة القرويين Jāma`at al-qarawīīn | |
 | |
| Year of foundation | 859 year |
| Rector | Abdelwahab Tazi Saud |
| Location |  Fes , Morocco |
| Legal address | BP: 2509 - FES |
| Site | alquaraouiyine.com |
The compilers of the Guinness Book of Records is recognized as the "oldest permanent educational institution in the world" [2] [3] . In accordance with UNESCO, Al-Karawijin is the oldest existing and permanent educational institution in the world. However, in contrast to the European tradition, the ancient Arab "universities" until recently did not issue diplomas on behalf of the institution: the emphasis was on training with individual mentors. Only in 1947, Al-Karaouin became a university in the European sense and was included in the modern state university system of Morocco in 1963.
Education at Al-Qarauin University focuses on Islamic religious and legal sciences, with particular emphasis on classical grammar and linguistics of the Arabic language, as well as on the Malikite madhhab . Also, students are offered several lessons in other non-Islamic subjects, such as French, English. The training is carried out in the traditional method, in which students sit in a semicircle (halga) around the sheikh, which encourages them to read sections of a specific text, asks them questions on specific points of grammar, law or interpretation, and explains difficult points.
Content
History
In 859, a mosque was founded at the expense of the merchant al-Fihri merchant family who had moved from Tunisia and was quickly turned into a center of spiritual education. Thanks to the patronage of the Moroccan sultans, the university was constantly expanding, covering ever new areas of knowledge. In addition to theology , grammar , rhetoric , logic , medicine , mathematics , astronomy , chemistry , history , geography and music were also studied.
In the Middle Ages, Al-Karaouin played a huge role in the development of cultural ties between Christian Europe and the Muslim East . Such scientists and philosophers as Ibn Arabi , Ibn Khaldun , Al-Idrisi , Maimonides , and the African Lion were associated with the university. Al-Karaouin allegedly studied mathematics by Pope Sylvester II .
See also
- List of oldest universities
- University of Bologna
- Oxford University
Notes
- ↑ There are other transliterations - Qarawiyin, Kairouyine, Kairaouine, Qairawiyin, Qaraouyine, Quaraouiyine, Quarawin, Qaraouiyn.
- ↑ جامعة القرويين اقدم جامعة في التاريخ
- ↑ The Guinness Book Of Records , Published 1998, ISBN 0-553-57895-2 , P.242
Links
- University coordinates on the official website of the Ministry of Higher Education of Morocco (French)
- "Around the World" about the city and the university