ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF MADINAH

The ' Islamic University of al-Madinah al-Munawarah' (الجامعة الإسلامية بالمدينة المنورة) was founded by the government of Saudi Arabia by a royal decree in the year 1381 AH. It is located in the holy city of Medina.

Contents

History

Academics

Arabic

Criticism

Famous alumni

External links

References

History

The modern university was found in 1961 as a school for higher education specializing in Islamic subjects. Approximately 80% of the enrolled 6,000 students are international students from all over the world. The university is extremely diverse and boasts almost all nationalities from across the globe.

Academics

University students may study Sharia, Qur'an , Dawah and Usul al-din, Hadith, and Arabic. The university offers Bachelor of Arts degrees and also Master's and Doctorate Degrees. There is also a one year diploma program that can be obtained after a student successfully graduates from the Bachelors program. Studies at the College of Sharia were the first to start when the university opened.
The school reviews applications yearly. The academic year starts in September and ends in June. The year consists of two separate semesters.

Arabic

Students who do not know the Arabic language can study it in a two-year Arabic Institute program. If they qualify with an overall 80% average or better, they can then enter one of the university's colleges and focus on Islamic Studies.

Criticism

The university has been described by a British journalist as follows:

The Islamic University of Medina, in Saudi Arabia, is one of the Muslim world's most prestigious universities, founded in 1961 by the Saudi king "to convey the eternal message of Islam to the entire world". Teaching at Medina is orthodox and ultra-conservative, based on a literal reading of the Koran, a rigid interpretation of Islamic law, and constant harking back to the lives and deeds of the earliest Muslims. ^[1]

Famous alumni

★ Dr. Bilal Philips Well known African-Canadian Muslim speaker, author, and teacher.

★ Yasir Qadhi Founding member of the Al-Maghrib Institute.

★ Muhammad Alshareef Founding member of the Al-Maghrib Institute.

★ Abu Usamah ath-Thahabi Imam at the Green Lane Masjid.

★ Dr. Hidayat Nur Wahid Chairman of Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly and former president of Prosperous Justice Party.

External links

★ University website (English and Arabic)

★ Student Administration-information for students and those who want to apply

★ Does Saudi Arabia Preach Intolerance in the UK and US?

References

1. http://www.guardian.co.uk/waronterror/story/0,,564369,00.html