In ninth-century North Africa, where tradition dictates what a woman may or may not be, a young girl dares to see a different future. Fatima al-Fihri, a merchant's daughter, remembers his father's words well: “to seek knowledge is to build a house for the soul”.

These words become the foundation of her life’s purpose. When loss strikes, Fatima must summon courage beyond her years. Choosing to defy prejudice, she sets out to create a mosque and centre of learning open not only to men of wealth and influence, but to women, the poor, and all who hunger for knowledge.

What begins as a dream grows into the world’s first university, a place where voices from many lands and faiths can gather in pursuit of wisdom. Alongside her sister Maryam, Fatima faces relentless opposition from rivals in power, and from those who fear the strength of an educated woman. Yet with resilience, vision, and unshakable faith, the sisters kindle a light that cannot be extinguished.

Sweeping and deeply inspiring, THE LIGHT THAT AWAKENS tells the untold story of Fatima al-Fihri: the woman who built a legacy of knowledge that endures to this day.

Biographical