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Weekly highlights

Al Quaraouiyine, a temple of renewed knowledge

meeting rich in historical lessons.
This is what the Fondation Maroc
du Patrimoine recently initiated with
an inaugural conference, entitled “Al
Quaraouiyine University: Twelve cen-
turies of scientific influence”. Indeed,
the Foundation invited a distinguished
speaker, Amal Jallal, to tell the story
of one of the world’s oldest univer-
sities, Al Quaraouiyine. Appointed
president of the university in October
2015, Jallal spoke about the univer-
sity’s role as a result of its scientific
influence, based on its openness and
the diversity of its teaching system.

Twelve centuries of scientific

influence
A The university president recal- For Amal Jallal, President of Al Quaraouiyine University, the intellectual influence of this institution has attracted renowned thinkers, some of

whom have left their mark on Arab philosophy. These include Averroes (Ibn Rochd), Avempace (Ibn Baja), and Ibn Khaldun, a pioneering histo-
led some of the historic mo-
ments that bear witness to the great- rian and sociologist.
ness of this institution, which dates
back almost 12 centuries. For the
lecturer, Al Quaraouiyine is not only a The oldest university
scientific institution, but it has also be- AL Quaraouiyine’s longevity
come one of the spiritual capital’s his- surpasses that of its European
toric monuments. Despite the prevai- counterparts. The University of
ling vagueness about its founding date, Bologna, founded in 1088, occu-
many historians agree that it was in pies second place in this ranking.
859, thanks to Fatima Fehriya, daugh- It is followed by the universities
ter of a wealthy merchant from Bani of Paris (1160), Oxford (1167),
Fahr who wished to create a grand and Cambridge (1209), all foun-
mosque. Over time, and with the suc- ded several centuries after the
cession of Morocco’s royal dynasties, establishment of the Moroccan
this monument was transformed into institution. Al Quaraouiyine’s
a great university welcoming students unique status testifies to the rich
from all over the world, particularly cultural and educational heri-
after the University had undergone nu- tage of the Maghreb. The central
merous expansions from the Idrissid role played by this region in the
to the Alaouite dynasties. Built a hun- transmission and development of
dred years before Al-Azhar Univer- knowledge over the centuries is
sity, Al Quaraouiyine has seen many recognized worldwide. Its intel-
prestigious figures from the fields of lectual influence has attracted re-
medicine, philosophy, jurisprudence, nowned thinkers, some of whom
sociology and Sufism pass through its interruption from its inception to the cultural edifice, Al Quaraouiyine have left their mark on Arab phi-
doors, These include Abdessalam Ben present day”. And thanks to the Qua- continues to exist, to teach, and shine. losophy. These include Averroès
Mchiche, Abou Mediene, Ibn Rochd, raouiyine and its surrounding schools, “His Majesty King Mohammed VI is (Ibn Rochd) and Avempace (Ibn
Ibn Maymoun, Ibn Khaldoune, Ibn the spiritual capital has had a great in- working to restore this university to its Baja), iconic figures of medieval
Baja, Ibn Arabi, Lissane-Eddine Ibn fluence on the Islamic West and even former glory and the leading role it thought. Ibn Khaldun, a pionee-
Al Khatib, as well as Pope Sylvester on the Mashreq. Better still, the Idris- has played since its foundation, and ring historian and sociologist, also
II, who attended the school. “Thanks sid city has become a cultural bridge to establish it as a benchmark scien- walked the grounds of this age-
to the opening of the Al Quaraouiyine between Andalusia and the Mashreq tific institution providing high-quality old institution. Thanks to the So-
University, the city of Fez has become on the one hand, and between Anda- specialized training in the sciences of vereign’s interest, the university
an essential stopover for scholars from lusia and Africa on the other. religion, the history of thought and continues to pursue its educational
Andalusia, the Mashreq and Africa on Islamic civilization”, said Jallal. “Al mission, combining tradition and
their way to Fez, or from Fez to these Quaraouiyine University holds a little- modernity. The presence of the
regions” , said Jallal. He continued, Cultural bridge between known world record. Certified by the University in the global academic
saying: “The University has also re- Andalusia and Mashreq Guinness Book of Records, it is reco- landscape underlines the remar-
mained open to welcome academics gnized as the oldest university institu- kable continuity of higher educa-
and students from a variety of back- Today, thanks to the interest of the tion still in operation in the world”, he tion in Morocco, from medieval
grounds, and has continued to award Sovereigns who have reigned in concluded.o times up until the present time.o
its diplomas to graduates without Morocco in this great scientific and Youness SAAD ALAMI
Friday 8 November 2024