Learning moderate Islamic principles

Dubai: The College of Islamic and Arabic Studies in Dubai has continued to educate the GCC youth in moderate Islamic principles since its inception in 1986.

Founded by Juma Al Majid, businessman and philanthropist, one of the oldest universities in the country will celebrate its 25th anniversary in September.

"We need young people educated in moderate Islam and the Arabic language to help the UAE and other communities prosper," said Dr Mohammad Abdul Al Rahman, Vice-Chancellor.

"Our graduates have helped evolve and Emiratise the teaching of Islam and Arabic in schools over the years through a mutual agreement with the Ministry of Education." Nevertheless, Dr Abdul Al Rahman has his sights set on the future, with the aim to take the college to new heights by way of expansion.

Expansion plans

With only 900 seats open for fresh students every year, the college admits only UAE and GCC nationals, and does not charge fees. Instead it provides a monthly stipend of Dh500 to two-thirds of its 3,054 students, along with free transportation. The college is currently located on a 250,000 square foot site in Bur Dubai.

However, Dr Abdul Al Rahman revealed that senior officials are in the process of negotiating the construction of a new campus in Dubai International Academic City. He did not specify a completion date as construction has yet to commence.

Additionally as part of the college's expansion the introduction of new degree programmes is on the agenda. The Board of Trustees is looking into the development of accounting, English language and information systems and management degrees.

Dr Abdul Al Rahman said the move away from its traditional disciplines of Islamic and Arabic language studies is simply part of the college's aim to establish itself as a full-fledged comprehensive university.

"We are looking to develop these programmes over the next decade in accordance with market needs," he said.

"It is also part of our plan to give students more study options with the development of more departments as part of our expansion plan." The college's entire current Islamic and Arabic language studies curriculum is from Al Azhar University in Cairo, the oldest Islamic university in the world.

The reason for the adoption of the Al Azhar curriculum at the college is to ensure students get a pure Islamic and Arabic education.

"The right education is important for everyone everywhere in all societies," said Dr Abdul Al Rahman.

"In terms of the subjects of Islam and Arabic, if you don't get them from the right source it can lead to misunderstanding and misinterpretation."

Evolving over the years, the college has added postgraduate master's degrees in Sharia (Islamic law) and the Arabic language to its degree offerings; on top of its primary undergraduate degree courses in Islamic Studies and Arabic language and literature.

It was also the first institution in the UAE to introduce a Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research accredited doctoral programme in Islamic Fiqh (Jurisprudence and Fundamentals) in 2006. The first research study of the two current PhD students is set for an April publication.

Abdul Hakeem Mohammad Ali Sultan Al Oullama'a, 23, is enrolled at Khalifa University for an undergraduate degree in electronic engineering. However, he also recently graduated from an undergraduate degree in Islamic Studies at the College of Islamic and Arabic studies in Dubai. His reason for pursuing the Islamic degree was simply the acquisition of knowledge of his religion and language.

"The translation of my family name Sultan Al Oullama'a is King of Scholars," he said. "I didn't take the Islamic degree to improve my employment prospects or as part of my career growth; I did it because it is a field I am interested in learning about."

Al Oullama'a believes that not all enrolled at the college are genuinely interested in pursuing such disciplines but only enrol due to limited options.

The College of Islamic and Arabic studies in Dubai opened its doors in 1986:

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