Libraries Around the World: Fez, Morocco

Aug. 12, 2025 Alice Flecha (Volunteer Blogger)

The al-Qarawiyyin Library

The oldest working library in the world, it was founded in 859 CE. The library was founded by Fatima Muhammad Al-Fihri Al-Quraysh, aka Fatima El-Fihriya, the daughter of a rich immigrant from al-Qayrawan (Tunisia today).

Well-educated and devout, she vowed to spend her entire inheritance on building a mosque and knowledge center for her community. According to UNESCO, the result is the oldest operational educational institution in the world.

The al-Qarawiyyin includes a mosque, library, and university.

Image taken from this tweet by Bayit Al Fann.