this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2026
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History Memes

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[–] PugJesus@piefed.social 4 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

If you choose the broader definition, then al-Qarawiyyin clearly qualifies very early. If you choose the narrower juridical definition, then historians debate whether the madrasa structure fits that category prior to modern reforms.

In short, it’s not a university. And that’s okay. Trying to pigeonhole it into that definition is the issue.

"If it's the broader definition, it's a university. If it's the narrow definition, it's debatable. In short, it's not a university."

You legitimately don't see it, do you.

[–] Aknifeguy@piefed.ca -1 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

No you don't see it. It's not a university. And if we open up the definition then you're still wrong because Chinese institutions like the Guozijian and Yuelu Academy are older in origins and represent sophisticated, long-running centers of advanced learning.

[–] PugJesus@piefed.social 2 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

No you don’t see it. It’s not a university. And if we open up the definition

Of the two definitions you gave in that comment for a university, one you admitted al-Qarawiyyin clearly was a university under; and the other you concede that it is debatable.

then you’re still wrong because Chinese institutions like the Guozijian and Yuelu Academy are older in origins and represent sophisticated, long-running centers of advanced learning.

You didn't say "It's not the oldest university", you said

In short, it’s not a university.

[–] Aknifeguy@piefed.ca -1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) (1 children)

You didn’t say “It’s not the oldest university”.
That's right. The post you posted said that. But it's not even a university until 1963. If you broaden the definition the post is still wrong because Chinese institutions would be the oldest.

[–] PugJesus@piefed.social 2 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

But it’s not even a university until 1963.

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[–] Aknifeguy@piefed.ca -1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Your inability to accept that is the issue. If it was a university before, why would it reform to become classified as one if it already was one? That's right, it wouldn't need to because it would have been considered one already.

[–] PugJesus@piefed.social 2 points 4 hours ago

Your inability to accept that is the issue. If it was a university before, why would it reform to become classified as one if it already was one? That’s right, it wouldn’t need to because it would have been considered one already.

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