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Fountain of the Karauin Mosque, Fes

Founded in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri in Fez, the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University (جامع القرويين) is recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the oldest continually operating university in the world. For over a millennium, it served as the preeminent spiritual and intellectual center of North Africa, nurturing scholars across Islamic theology, jurisprudence, mathematics, and astronomy. The central courtyard (sahn) of the mosque features iconic pavilions (an-Anaza) housing ornamental marble fountains designed for ablutions, modeled after Saadian and Andalusian architectural styles. Issued by Morocco (MAROC / المغرب) as part of a definitive series (POSTES), this stamp commemorates Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque in Fez (Mosquée Karaouine à Fes), showcasing the intricate carved wood canopy and marble fountain pavilion in its historic inner courtyard framed within a horseshoe arch.