University of Ez-Zitouna
Ez-Zitouna University (, ) is a public ancient university in Tunis. The university was first established in 737 as a madrasa and subsequently as university in 1956. It consists of the Higher Institute of Theology and the Higher Institute of Islamic Civilisation in Tunis and a research institution, the Center of Islamic Studies, in Kairouan. History. For centuries, Qirwan was the early centre of learning and intellectual pursuits in Tunisia and North Africa in general. Starting from the 13th century, Tunis became the capital of Ifriqiya under Almohad and Hafsid rule. This shift in power helped Ez -Zitouna to flourish and become one of the major centres of Islamic learning, and Ibn Khaldun, the first social historian in history was one of its products. The flourishing university attracted students and men of learning from all parts of the known world at the time. Along with theology; mainly the Qur'an, the university taught jurisprudence, history, grammar, science and medicine. When it comes to books and libraries, Ez-Zituna libraries were the richest among North African counterparts. It had several collections totaling in the tens of thousands of books. One of its libraries, el-Abdaliyah included a large collection  of rare and unique manuscripts. The manuscripts covered almost all subjects and sciences, including grammar, logic, documentations, etiquette of research, cosmology, arithmetic, geometry, minerals, vocational training, etc. Historically the traditional pedagogy of the university opposed French influence in Tunisian culture, even though younger people who studied there and who were unable to attend other universities lost the concept of the university having prestige. The students, faculty, and alumni became an integral part of the 1920s Destour party. Following Tunisia's Independence, the modern Zitouna University was established on April 26, 1956. This was succeeded by the Zitouna Faculty of Shari’a  and Theology on March 1, 1961 which became one of the components of Tunis University. The Zitouna name was restored by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 1987, after having been changed under Bourguiba. Academics. The present-day institution has some 1200 students and 90 faculty, divided between two associated institutes — the Higher Institute of Theology and the Higher Institute of Islamic Civiliation in Tunis — and a research institution, the Center of Islamic Studies () in Kairouan. Lessons in the Higher Institute of Theology began in the academic year 1988/89. It awards The Higher Institute of Islamic Civilisation has some 300  students and 40 researchers. It awards Notable alumni. Alumni include the scholar Abdul-Rahman Ibn Khaldun, the trade unionist and writer Tahar Haddad, the politician and writer Abdelaziz Thâalbi, the Tunisian national poet Aboul-Qacem Echebbi, and Grand Muhaddis Imam Mufti Al Sayyid Fahal Bin Javaid Al Hassani(Beni Fatimeh).