The area surrounding Fez produces cereals, beans, olives, grapes. Sheep, goats, and cattle is also raised in the region. Fez is strongly dominated by the old centres, while the modern centres serve as a suburb to the two old cities. Fez has given name to the red, cylindrical hat used over most of the Muslim world. The city is founded by Idris 1 on east bank of the seasonal river Wadi Fez.
Fez therefore becomes the first Islamic town in Morocco.
A new part of the town is established on the west bank of the river by Idris 2. The El Andoua district is established of Muslim refugees from Andalucia . The Kairaouine mosque is founded by a wealthy woman from Kairouan. Establishment of the Kairaouine University. The Fatimid representatives are forced out of Fez, and passes on to the Idrisids.