The new academic year at The Islamic Institute for Postgraduate Studies (IIPS) started in September 2009. The newly appointed Executive Dean, Dr. Mahmood Y. Abdulla, welcomed the students and staff of the IIPS in his opening address. Dr Abdulla emphasised the importance that The World Federation has placed on the Muballigheen Training Programme (MTP) and the IIPS curriculum. He stated that it is imperative that the students and teachers endeavour to earn the pleasure of Allah through their sincere efforts and must try to meet the community's expectations.
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1. Dr Mahmood Yusuf Abdulla - Executive Dean
 Dr Abdulla is a certified Chartered Accountant by profession and has
completed both an MA in Islamic Studies at Portsmouth University, and a
PhD. in Qur'anic Studies in December 2007 from Loughborough University.
After first lecturing at religious gatherings at the age of 16, Dr.
Abdullah has had the opportunity to visit and conduct Tableegh in 73
community centres in 48 cities around the world. He currently teaches
the MA module 'Qur'an - Scripture and Signifier'. Dr Abdulla has also
lectured on Quranic Hermeneutics at Birkbeck College, University of
London.
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The Islamic Institute for Postgraduate Studies (IIPS) has been in
operation since September 2007 and currently has a total of ten
students from a range of different countries and academic backgrounds.
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The Islamic Institute for Postgraduate studies has just completed its
first Enrichment Module on the topic of ‘Islamic Finance’. The module
was designed and delivered by Shaykh Safder Jaffer. The course content
covered a number of areas within Islamic finance including: an
Introduction to Islamic Economics, Models of Islamic Banking, and the
concept of Takaful (Islamic Insurance). The lectures also shed light
upon Jurisprudential views on Islamic Finances by the respected fuqaha.
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The Islamic Institute for Postgraduate Studies (IIPS) in Damascus, which delivers the educational side of the Muballigheen Training Programme (MTP), is committed to a continuous process of evaluation and improvement to reach utmost standards of excellence in education. Recently, the IIPS received a visit from Shaykh Mohammed Khalfan of Kenya, a senior graduate of the Hawza Ilmiyya of Qum. Shaykh Mohammed currently resides in Qum and is working on a range of research-based projects.
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Those who have first-hand and direct awareness about MTP, initiated by
the World Federation, cannot escape to observe that the syllabus
endeavours to make the programme relevant to the needs of the community
in the twenty-first century. It is forward-looking in the sense that
together with the four years of the traditional Hawza ta'leem
(education) which is not only essential but indispensable, it
strengthens the roots of this ta'leem with an MA degree through a
recognised University in the West. During their four years in Damascus,
they would have simultaneously studied for a higher degree, and gained
a certificate that is recognised in the Western world. This would help
in opening up for them several avenues, including pursuing their PhD in
Islamic studies.
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INTRODUCTION
The Muballigheen Training Programme (MTP) is a 4 year intensive
academic course that offers both a structured Hawza curriculum as well
as a Master of Arts (MA) in Islamic Studies accredited by a University
in the West.
 Brothers at IIPS
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In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
By Mohamed Abbas Panju
It is narrated by the Blessed Prophet of Islam (SAW) that the righteous scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. Keeping this tradition in mind, it was an honour to host various respected Ulemas representing the Shia school of thought for Iftar on the eve of 14th Ramadhan, 1428.
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By the Grace of Allah (swt), the second year of the Muballigheen
Training Programme (MTP) at the Islamic Institute for Postgraduate
Studies (IIPS), Sayyida Zainab (s), began on 6 September 2008. This
year, six more students have joined the four year course in which
students learn a wide range of traditional Islamic subjects in Arabic
as well as gaining a Masters degree for modules completed in
tailor-made modern academic subjects in English.
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 Dr Mahmood Datoo the IIPS MA Programme Leader |
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 Left to right:- Samara Iqbal, Hassanain Mir, Sheikh Sami Bo Khamseen, Shabbarbhai Dhalla, Jaffer Jaffer and Sabiha Karim
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 Hujjatul Islam wal Muslimeen, Sayyid Mourtadha Mourtadha is the founder of Madrasah al Rasul al-Akram, Nairobi. Today it is known as Al Rasul al akram Islamic Centre. He has been in the field of Tabligh in Africa particularly in Kenya for the last 24 years.
Born in Lebanon, he has studied in the hawdha of Najaf as well as Qum. A very effective teacher, many of the students trained by him as well as at the Madrasah Rasul al Akram are serving in different communities throughout Africa. Well liked by many because of his pleasant character, he believes in conveying the message by action rather than words.
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Alhamdulillah! Allah (SWT) has indeed blessed me with the opportunity
to be a part of this experience. It has been a full week for me here in
the city of Sayyida Zainab  , and what a week it has been. I
have experienced everything from the beauty and magnificence of the
Haram, to driving with a driver on the wrong side of the road! Coming
from the west it has been a quite a culture shock, however every minute
of it has been an eye-opening realization and experience.
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As the very first classes of the MTP in the proximity of Sayyida Zaynab as commence, I can not but help but reflect on the close connection between
the Ulema and the Khoja Shia Itnaasheri Community over the last 150
years.
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Divine guidance is vital for human survival. This fact is categorically
stated in the Quran: “Indeed, we have guided him to the way, be he
grateful or ungrateful”( 76:3).
Such a guidance come in two mutually inclusive forms, namely the
external guidance and the internal guidance.
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This programme is another milestone in the history of the Khoja Shia
Ithna Asheri Muslim Community. Building on the proud traditions of
continuous contact and spiritual guidance from our Ulama, the community
now feels the need to establish its own Institute of higher learning in
order to produce scholars with the skills and knowledge to be even more
effective within a changing world.
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Just two years back, in September 2005, we met at Latimer Conference
Centre and discussed many issues, one of which was the training of
Muballigheen to serve the community. If my memory serves me right, the
majority of the participants wanted a 4-5 year academic programme that
would inter-twine ‘traditional’ study with some modern elements. Many
felt the first phase should be in Qum, although others were open to the
first phase being conducted in either Qum, Syria or Lebanon, but
stressed the importance of maintaining traditional study, followed by
training in modern methods of delivery.
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The Conference took place on 26-27 August 2007 in Staverton, UK.
In my short life, I have witnessed too many meetings that were more
talk than resulting action. However, having seen and been involved in
well-facilitated seminars that are more action and resolutions rather
than endless discussions, I was under no doubt that the MTP Mini
Conference should follow the same format with short, pertinent
presentations and facilitated round table discussions.
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In the past I have researched several options at Islamic institutes in both, the UK and abroad, and have struggled to find any that appreciated the entire requirements of graduates born and educated in the west. I believe that this course is unique, in that it provides the fundamental platform for a life’s vocation that I have had aspirations for as far back as I can remember.
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Alhamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alameen. We are very excited to be part of this Program that will Insha-Allah improve the direction of our communities in the future. More than that, we are looking forward to being part of the first batch of students who Insha-Allah will shape this course making it easier for the rest of the students who decide to embark on this journey. We know that it will not be all smooth sailing; however, we are confident in knowing that there will at least be a boat for us to sail on. Whatever else happens is now in the hands of Allah (SWT).
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With the imminent opening of The World Federation’s Islamic Institute for Postgraduate Studies in Damascus, Syria, the rigorous process of validating the Master of Arts (MA) degree in Islamic Studies provided by the Institute is underway.
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The Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community, as an ethnic entity, are at a cross roads today. They are fast becoming an endangered species with reactionary drift to no-where.
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To survive as a vibrant living entity, the community has no choice but to keep abreast of the changes around it, understand the impact of the modern era and adapt to the changing world. To that end, in 2002 The World Federation initiated the process of deliberating upon the framework within which we may begin making gradual changes so that the needs of the community were adequately catered for in the future. This was the motivation for us to engage the community in a Strategic Planning exercise and solicit input and involvement of the grass root members of the community.
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By the grace of Allah (SWT), I have had the opportunity of studying in a variety of different locations and through a variety of different approaches. Very early on in my life, I made a decision to pursue Islamic Studies in the traditional hawza of Mashhad, Iran. I also spent 2 years in a traditional subcontinent style hawza in Delhi. Later on, I spent a further year in Qum. I am currently pursuing an MA in Nutritional Therapy.
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This is what Maulana Zaffer Abbas summarised the Muballigheen Training
Programme as, following his recent visit to the campus in Damascus,
Syria. Maulana Zaffar Abbas, President of the Majlis Ulema-e-Shia and a
prominent Alim currently residing in London, UK, received first hand
experience of the Course, looking at the teaching methods and
conversing with the students and the lecturers. Following his visit,
Maulana Zaffar Abbas was interviewed, covering a variety of questions
and possible concerns ranging from the suitability of the venue, the
course structure, and the lecturers.
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On Sunday 16th September 2007 / 3rd Ramadhan 1428, an Iftar dinner was held for the opening ceremony of the IIPS. The evening’s proceedings were held at the same venue where the first week of lectures/tutorials had been completed by me and my class fellows.
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Building on the successes of facilitated meetings and seminars, The World Federation brought together the key personnel involved in the MTP face to face for the first time from across the world. A total of 15 people attended the conference from Canada, USA, UK, Syria, Tanzania and Switzerland. The event was held on 26 and 27 August 2007.
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