By the grace of Allah, The World Federation is pleased to announce the appointment of four Adjunct Professors of modules that will make up the Western-style academic syllabus which runs parallel to the traditional Hawza-style curriculum at the IIPS for the academic year 2008/09.

The tutors for these modules are Dr. Mahmood Abdulla, Dr. Hasnain Walji, Shaykh Safder Jaffer and Dr. Sajjad Rizvi, amongst the best of lecturers in their respective fields:

Dr. Mahmood Abdulla

A certified Chartered Accountant by profession, Dr. Abdulla has completed both an MA in Islamic Studies and more recently a Phd. in Qur'anic Studies in December 2007.  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.  InshAllah, from September 2008, he will be lecturing in two modules, namely 'Qur'an - Scripture and Signifier' and 'Critical Thinking'. The module titled 'Quran - Scripture and Signifier' aims to introduce students to the collection, compilation and standardization of the Qur'an along with its main features, structure, and themes.  The 'Critical thinking' module intends to focus on developing the habitual intention to be truth-seeking, ppen-minded, systematic, analytical, inquisitive, confident in reasoning, and prudent in making judgments.

Dr. Hasnain Walji

Dr Hasnain Walji, PhD. is a researcher and an internationally acclaimed author who has penned over twenty books, which have been translated into several languages.  He is the Executive Director of the Washington based Muslim Institute for Research and Planning, an independent and non-profit organisation committed to enable and facilitate engagement in political, academic and public-relations arenas through education, research, training, and policy analysis. In the academic year 2008/09, he will lecture on 'Islamic Cultural Heritage' and 'Preaching, Teaching, Reaching'.

Shaykh Safder Jaffer

After completing his bachelors degree in Actuarial Science at Edinburgh University, Shaykh Safder Jaffer went on to complete his Masters degree in Economics with Islamic Banking at the University of Tehran.  Shaykh Safder is an actuarist by profession, and regularly lectures at Islamic centers all around the world. From September 2008, Shaykh Safder will inshAllah begin lecturing in the subject of Islamic Finance.  This topic will include Islamic Banking; Islamic Insurance; Iqtisaduna (our economics) with references to the current Islamic Financial Markets and products available. Shaykh Safder believes that the 'Muballigh of today should be well grounded beyond the traditional Usul and Islamic fiqh which are our foundations. Islamic Finance is very relevant in the social and economic issues of the community and hence, this module will provide the Muballigh with the necessary tools to address contemporary issues.'

Dr Sajjad Rizvi

Dr Sajjad Rizvi is currently a senior lecturer and the Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies within the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter.  He has been lecturing since 1999 and has a BA in History, a Masters in Philosophy and a PhD from Cambridge University. From September 2008, Dr Rizvi will inshAllah be lecturing in the subject of Islamic Ethics.  This module will introduce students to the origins and development of the Islamic ethical system.  Furthermore, the issues of predetermination (qadar), obligation (taklif) and the work of prominent scholars such as Ibn Miskawayh, Ghazali and Nasir al-Din al-Tusi will be examined.

The Western-style academic modules, will be an essential addition to the entire IIPS curriculum. Focus will be placed on concepts that will prepare students to be able to communicate to both Muslim and non-Muslim audiences effectively.

As part of the syllabus for the Muballigheen Training Programme, students will be given the opportunity to study such modules in their second, third and final year of their four year course.  The proposed method of teaching will inshAllah be through video conferencing and through personal teaching in Syria.

Dr Ahmed Hassam commented, "It is with great satisfaction we note the vastness of the community's talents and the willingness of such individuals to give back selflessly to the communtiy. May Allah grant utmost tawfeeq to our 4 respected scholars and grant them the best of rewards. The duas of the community for the MTP are immense and these prayers are undoubtedly assisting the project through each phase."

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