Fatima Al-Fihri was a pioneering Muslim woman born in 800 CE in present-day Tunisia. She is best known for founding the University of Al Quaraouiyine in Fez, Morocco in 859 CE, which is recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records as the oldest existing, continually operating higher educational institution in the world. Al-Fihri was the daughter of a wealthy merchant and used her inheritance to establish the university. Her vision was to create a place of learning that would promote knowledge and scholarship, making significant contributions to Islamic education and culture during her time.