Fatima al-Fihri
At a time when women in Islam are subject to constant debate and all measures of control, it’s important to remember that stories involving Muslim women aren’t always about oppression. Take Fatima al-Fihri. While little is known about her life, it didn’t stop her from making an impact. She was a wealthy, well-educated woman who lived in the ninth century. When her father died, Fatima and her sister Mariam inherited his fortune and decided to found mosques that would help the community. The mosque Fatima founded, Al-Qarawiyyin, not only became the world’s first university, but also the world’s oldest library, both of which still exist today in Morocco. And in an era where whitewashing is STILL a thing and politicians can build careers out of demonizing Muslims, it would be refreshing to see an actress of Middle Eastern descent get to play a different kind of role. You know, the kind that doesn’t involve terrorism or a need to be rescued, liberated, or in any way saved, but rather one which involves building a revered institution that’s lasted thousands of years.
Advertisement
