| History: from the mosque to the university | The role of Al Qarawiyin University in shaping Muslim personality throughout history | Contribution of Al Qarawiyin University to human civilization | The Teaching of Islamic Sciences in Al Qarawiyin throughout History | The Al Qarawiyin Teaching System | Reform of the educational system of Al Qarawiyin University | Notes |

Introduction

Old institutions of higher learning constitute one of the main components and basic elements of Islamic civilization, continuously contributing to the cultural and scientific resurgence of the Islamic Ummah. Such educational institutions have played a leading role in instilling Muslim peoples with a sense of the huge importance of the glories and historical landmarks of the Islamic Ummah and providing them with essential tools to build their religious and cultural identity.

Connected to the Mosque of Al Qarawiyin, the University of Al Qarawiyin is recognized as the oldest existing institution of higher education in the Islamic world. It is one of the outstanding emblems of Islamic identity and an imposing structure of the realm of culture and intellect the world over. Combining authenticity and modernity and renovation, the University of Al Qarawiyin soon became a chief centre of knowledge, wisdom and Islamic learning across the Maghreb and the whole Islamic world. It laid down the key tools for an open religious knowledge and bases for a prosperous civilizational coexistence for the entire humanity. We will provide you hereunder with an account of the history of the University of Al Qarawiyin, with due emphasis on the leading role it has been playing in the scientific and cultural resurgence of the Islamic Ummah, in particular, and in building the human civilizational edifice, in general.