I was in this ancient Moroccan city a couple of days ago and we learned about its rich historical past which, coupled with the golden age of Arab rule from 711 - 1492 in Andalucia, Spain, largely paved the way for the Renaissance in Europe.
Scholars from all over the ancient world traveled into Fes to attend or to be part of the world's first university, created in 859...by a woman. This great center of learning saw the amalgam of Arab (actually Berber or Amazigh initially) intellectual thought with that of their Jewish and Christian counterparts, men and women alike, who all contributed and established the first great chairs of learning in a humane world where differences were respected and honored.
As our guide told us as he referred to the tile below on one of the main gates of the Medina, the philosophy that was embraced was based upon the fact that we are all unique and contribute to the whole. That we are not an island but that only in the richness of our diversity can we thrive. And that tolerance, respect and other points of view were to be considered.
And that to become isolated and alone is the path to barbarism.
Scholars from all over the ancient world traveled into Fes to attend or to be part of the world's first university, created in 859...by a woman. This great center of learning saw the amalgam of Arab (actually Berber or Amazigh initially) intellectual thought with that of their Jewish and Christian counterparts, men and women alike, who all contributed and established the first great chairs of learning in a humane world where differences were respected and honored.
As our guide told us as he referred to the tile below on one of the main gates of the Medina, the philosophy that was embraced was based upon the fact that we are all unique and contribute to the whole. That we are not an island but that only in the richness of our diversity can we thrive. And that tolerance, respect and other points of view were to be considered.
And that to become isolated and alone is the path to barbarism.