Final answer:
Timbuktu was a significant center of Islamic learning in West Africa by the twelfth century, highlighted by its multiple universities and the Djinguereber Mosque built during Mansa Musa's reign.
Step-by-step explanation:
By the twelfth century, a great center of Islamic learning in West Africa was Timbuktu. This historic city became a prominent center for the spread of Islam, and under the rule of Mansa Musa, it flourished as a hub of wealth, education, and religion. Mansa Musa's patronage led to the construction of the famous Djinguereber Mosque in 1327, which stands as a symbol of the city's historical significance.
Over time, not only did Timbuktu house numerous public libraries and engage in the book trade across the Sahara, but it also established over one hundred schools and eighteen universities for Islamic studies during the reign of Mansa Musa, emphasizing subjects such as Islamic law, science, and philosophy.