In Fez's Old City, Morocco's first capital, centuries-old places of learning – such as the Bou Inania Madrassa – are being revived to promote moderation in Islam, as their founders originally intended. All photos: AFP
In Fez's Old City, Morocco's first capital, centuries-old places of learning – such as the Bou Inania Madrassa – are being revived to promote moderation in Islam, as their founders originally intended. All photos: AFP
The Bou Inania Madrassa is one of six institutions to be renovated since 2017, under a government programme to preserve the city's heritage and promote tourism.
The Bou Inania Madrassa is one of six institutions to be renovated since 2017, under a government programme to preserve the city's heritage and promote tourism.
Down an alley from Bou Inania, lined with stalls selling traditional wares, is Qarawiyyin Mosque, built when the city was founded in the ninth century.
Down an alley from Bou Inania, lined with stalls selling traditional wares, is Qarawiyyin Mosque, built when the city was founded in the ninth century.
It became the heart of the university of the same name - one of the oldest in the world.
It became the heart of the university of the same name - one of the oldest in the world.
The Qarawiyyin Mosque has a large courtyard surrounded by pillars, separating it from covered sections set aside for prayer and study.
The Qarawiyyin Mosque has a large courtyard surrounded by pillars, separating it from covered sections set aside for prayer and study.
Although off-limits to tourists, some take advantage of the doors being opened shortly before prayers to snap photos in the courtyard.
Although off-limits to tourists, some take advantage of the doors being opened shortly before prayers to snap photos in the courtyard.
As well as preserving the city's architectural treasures, the renovations are part of Morocco's wider efforts to promote moderation in Islam.
As well as preserving the city's architectural treasures, the renovations are part of Morocco's wider efforts to promote moderation in Islam.
Qarawiyyin University has a new programme for post-graduate students who have excelled in writing and memorising the Koran. Students cover "Islamic studies, comparative religion, French, English and Hebrew, allowing them to understand other cultures", said student Moaz Soueif.
Qarawiyyin University has a new programme for post-graduate students who have excelled in writing and memorising the Koran. Students cover "Islamic studies, comparative religion, French, English and Hebrew, allowing them to understand other cultures", said student Moaz Soueif.
"We should be a role model for tolerant Islam, at the same level of the great scholars who passed through here before us," he said.
"We should be a role model for tolerant Islam, at the same level of the great scholars who passed through here before us," he said.

MENA

Madrassas revive 'Golden Age' in Morocco's Fez - in pictures

Fez serves as a monument to a highpoint of Islamic civilisation

The National

July 18, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

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Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
 

The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.

Bio

Born in Dubai in 1994
Her father is a retired Emirati police officer and her mother is originally from Kuwait
She Graduated from the American University of Sharjah in 2015 and is currently working on her Masters in Communication from the University of Sharjah.
Her favourite film is Pacific Rim, directed by Guillermo del Toro

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

On Women's Day
Updated: July 18, 2022, 8:58 AM`
PhotographyMorocco