This 14th century library that grew from a 9th century mosque and university, founded by an heiress, Fatima al-Fihri, was once “the soul of the city,” says Fez-born architect Aziza Chaouni.

Another library founded by a woman is the al-Qarawiyyin Library in Fez, Morocco. It’s part of the University of al-Qarawiyyin, which was originally founded as a mosque in 859, by Fatima al-Fihri ...