The University of al-Qarawiyyin is located in Fez, Morocco and is recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records as the oldest existing, continually operating higher educational institution in the world. Founded in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri, it originally served as a mosque and later evolved into a university offering various subjects, including theology, law, and languages. Over the centuries, the university has attracted scholars from across the Islamic world and beyond, contributing significantly to the cultural and intellectual heritage of Islamic civilization. Today, it remains an important center for Islamic studies and continues to influence education in Morocco and the wider region.