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Al-Fatih Islamic
Institute
Al-Fatih
Islamic Institute in Damascus is an educational institution,
established in (1956 A.D. /1375 H) by the late renowned
Scholar Muhammad Saleh Al-Farfour. The institute is a kind
of reformist and charitable society.
Goals:
1.
To raise the standard of the Muslim Community by
spreading the real Islamic knowledge and culture, in
order to preserve the Muslim identity and heritage.
2.
To bring up good and righteous generations who are
faithful to Allah, their religion, and their nation,
in order to invite to Allah in a wise and kind
manner.
3.
To fulfill the educational and scientific
requirements of the Muslim society within the
framework of the Islamic civilization and culture.
4.
To combine together religious and secular knowledge,
Islamic and Arab culture, originality of the past
and the modernity of today.
5.
To harmonize the Muslims' minds and hearts to
understand the Sharia and the Truth so that they may
co-exist smoothly with the modern trends of life.
6.
To develop the Islamic studies and sciences in a
constructive manner, whose prime concern is to keep
the pristine foundations of Islam.
7.
To tackle the crisis of religious consciousness and
intellectual bankruptcy from which our generations
have been suffering.
8.
To spread a sound, religious awareness, as well as
guided education.
9.
To spread moderate thinking and to use moderate ways
in Da’wah and avoid extremism.
10.
To respect and co-operate with the others, taking
into consideration preservation of the original
identity.
11.
To achieve excellence and creativity and to enhance
critical thinking in order to enrich the human
knowledge.
12.
To rehabilitate specialists in human and Islamic
studies, and the Arabic language through offering
continual teaching programs.
13.
To instill the noble values and manners, for which
Islam calls, and to establish belief in all the
previous revealed Messages, in order to spread
tolerance, brotherhood, mercy and justice among
people all over the world.
Academic
Stages:
The
Academic stages in Al-Fatih Islamic Institute (males and
females) are:
The
preparatory stage: six academic years after the elementary
stage. The first three years are considered a completion to
the basic educational stage.
In this
stage, students are taught Sharia sciences, Arabic,
mathematics, English, geography and physics, with a special
care for spiritual and moral upbringing in addition to the
issue of knowledge.
Undergraduate Studies Department: it includes:
The undergraduate stage: for holders of the certificates of Sharia
Institutes or Sharia secondary schools supervised by the
Ministry of Awqaf. It also accepts holders of the general
secondary certificate or other equivalent certificates.
It consists
of three academic years, after which the students are given
certificates of completion the undergraduate stage:
Some of
them directly enroll in Al-Azhar University in the
equivalent collage of graduation, in accordance with the
mutual relationships and cultural agreements and formal
equalization which started in 1966 and developed and
continued until today. After that, the students travel to
Egypt to take the fourth year's exams in both the first and
the second semesters. The graduates are awarded the Bachelor
degree by the relevant collage, signed and stamped by the
chairman.
Some of the
students finish the fourth year in the institute, in
Damascus, and are accordingly granted the degree in the same
specialization which they successfully completed.
b.Postgraduate
Studies Department for university graduates:
Students
have to finish two preparatory academic years. They study
the same syllabus of Al-Azhar University with minor
modifications to cope with the different social and cultural
differences.
To
be
admitted, the student must have a university degree
with "Good" rating of not less than 65%. Also, the
student has to do a written test which comprises
both knowledge and intellect. Students are chosen
according to their excellence. Each department has a
certain number of students.
Students must attend all lectures. They also must
submit research papers in which they have to consult
both classical and modern reference books.
Upon passing the two-year study, students are
granted a certificate confirming their completion
with a transcript of their grades. Files of students
are delivered to Al-Azhar University, so that they
are enrolled in colleges equivalent to their
specializations in order to continue their research
and finally get the Master degree from Al-Azhar
University.
Registration of research proposals for MA Degrees is
fulfilled in Al-Azhar University upon the
recommendation of the Academic board of the
Institute. Upon approval, Al-Azhar assembly appoints
two researchers to supervise their MA Degree
researches. The first supervisor is from Al-Fatih
Institute, the second from Al-Azhar University. This
is done according to the mutual agreement between
the institute and the university.
The
Academic Board
The
academic board for both the undergraduate and the
postgraduate studies departments consists of a number of
eminent scholars covering all specializations.
The
Academic Board of Al-Fatih Islamic Institute (University
section) 2007-2008
The
academic board consists of the following eminent
scholars:
Chairman: His Eminence, Sheikh Abdul Razzaq al-Halabi,
Sheikh of the Umayyad Mosque, chairman of Al-Fatih
Islamic Society, member of the Grand Scholars Board, and
the teacher of Hanafi school of jurisprudence.
Vice-Chairman: Professor Hussam Eddin Farfour, chairman
of the undergraduate and postgraduate departments, vice-
chairman of the society, lecturer of the comparative
jurisprudence and the Islamic contemporary thought and
dialogue among civilizations.
Member:
Professor Abdul Fattah al-Bizm, Mufti of Damascus,
Principal of the Al-Fatih institute, and teacher of the
law of personal status.
Member:
Professor Waliy ad-Deen al-Farfour, vice-chairman of the
under and post graduate departments for academic issues,
teacher and head of the jurisprudence foundations
section.
Member:
Professor Abdel Qader al-Kittani, vice-chairman of the
under and post graduate departments for intellectual and
dialogue issues, teacher of contemporary Islamic thought
and dialogue among civilizations.
Member:
Professor Nizar Abazah, vice-chairman of the
undergraduate and postgraduate studies departments for
administrative affairs, the Head of Scientific Research
Unit and a Lecturer in Modern Arabic Literature.
Member:
Professor Abdul Rahman al-Sabouni, Dean of Sharia and
Law Faculty, Head and a Lecturer in the Comparative Fiqh
and Family Law Department.
Member:
Professor Mustafa Sa'ed al-Khin, Head of the Sharia
Department, and a Lecturer in Fundamentals of
Comparative Islamic Jurisprudence.
Member:
Professor Muhammad Sa'id Ramadan Al-Bouti, Head and
Lecturer in the Objectives of Islamic Sharia.
Member:
Professor Mustafa al-Bugha, Lecturer in Fundamentals of
Comparative Islamic Jurisprudence and Head of the Rules
of Jurisprudence Department.
Member:
Professor Muhammad Aziz Shokri, Head of Sharia and Law
Department, and Head and a Lecturer in the International
Law Department.
Member:
Professor Nour al-Din al-'Iter, Dean of Fundamentals of
Jurisprudence and Philosophy Faculty, and Head and a
Lecturer in the Sciences of Quranic Interpretation and
Hadith.
Member:
Professor Muhammad 'Ajaj al-Khatib, Lecturer in Hadith
and the Head of al-Takhrij Department.
Member:
Professor Abd al-Hafiz al-Satli, Dean of the Arabic
Faculty, Head and Lecturer in Arabic Literature and
Criticism Department.
Member:
Professor Mazin Mubarak, Dean of Arabic and Islamic
Studies Faculty, and the Head and Lecturer in syntax and
morphology Department.
Member:
Professor Shawqi abu Khalil, Head of History and
Civilization Department, and Lecturer in Islamic History
and Civilization Department.
Member:
Professor Maher abu al-Thahab, Dean of Languages and
Translation Faculty (Islamic Studies in Foreign
Languages), and Head and Lecturer in the English
Language Department.
Member:
His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Krayym Rajih, Grand Sheikh
of the Syrian Quranic Reciters, Member of the Grand
Scholars Board, Head and Lecturer in the Department of
Tafsir, Variant Readings of the Our’an and Quranic
Sciences, High Supervisor on Variant Readings of the
Our’an and their Sciences.
Member:
His Eminence Sheikh and Lecturer Wahbi Suleiman al-Ghawiji,
Member of the Grand Scholars Board, Head and Lecturer in
the Hanafi Fiqh Department.
Member:
Professor Suhayl Zakar, Lecturer in the Islamic History
and Civilization Department and Comparative Religions
Department, Head of Orientalism and Comparative
Religions.
Member:
Professor Mahmmoud al-Rebdawi, Head and Lecturer in the
Department of literary criticism.
Member:
Dr. Adel Abu Sha'r, Head of the Department of Variant
Readings of the Our’an and their Sciences, and a
Lecturer in linguistics.
Aspects of Development and Modernization in the academic
curricula, study plans and acceptance rules in the faculties
of Al-Fatih Islamic Institute:
The
departments of Sharia, Islamic studies, Arabic Language and
literature, law and human sciences have undergone a lot of
development. These subjects are now taught in a more
comprehensive and detailed way within a vast cultural
framework of thought, history, civilization, world languages
and human cultures, accompanied by cultural and spiritual
purification.
The
subjects in the faculty of law are taught within a framework
of the Islamic Sharia in addition to canonical issues
compared to the Islamic law. Examples are: Modern juristic
and canonical issues, etiquette of prosecution in Islam. The
recently issued modern laws and legislations are also
taught. Examples are: The new leasing law, the modern laws
and legislations issued as regards the banks and companies.
These subjects are taught in comparison with the Islamic
Sharia, which is not usually done in the faculties of law in
other universities.
A
post graduate department of canonical law and personal
statute has been opened in order to graduate specialists who
are well versed in Islamic canonical law – particularly
family organization and personal statutes – and the relevant
laws, regulations and legislations.
A post
graduate department of economics and Islamic banks has also
been opened in order to provide the nation with specialists,
experts, and consultants for banks and Islamic insurance
companies.
As for the
section of Arabic language and literature, the subjects are
taught within a framework of Islamic, historical, cultural,
intellectual, and language sciences. In this section,
special care is given to the different types of the Quranic
recitations and the ancient dialects of Arabic. Also,
special care is given to the ancient classical and modern
international studies.
In
the two departments of History and Civilization, and
Journalism and Mass Media, are taught all the practical
subjects adopted by the international as well as Arab
universities. The subjects in these two departments are
taught within a vast educational framework of Islamic
sciences, the Arabic language, thought, history, culture,
and languages.
The department of Islamic Studies and Da'wah in
International Languages is considered as a unique one. In
addition to the Islamic canonical sciences, the students are
taught philosophy, history, culture, orientalism, western
society, comparative religions, modern international
thought, and dialogue among civilizations, in one of the
foreign languages (English, Spanish, or French) in order to
communicate our Islamic Message and Civilization to the
entire world.
In
all of the foregoing departments and faculties, the
institute adopts the very best academic methods in order to
produce balanced well-educated scientific and academic
personalities with vast knowledge, critical minds, orthodox
awareness, and sound moral education.
For acceptance in the undergraduate departments, not only
the student's grades in the secondary education certificate
are taken into consideration but also a personal interview
that includes inquiries about the student's general
education, mental ability, personality, and educational
level in the field of the target specialization.
For post
graduate studies, a university degree with good rating is
required. Acceptance in any of the post graduate departments
needs the following:
a
personal interview.
an
oral exam.
A
written exam.
In
the written exam, the student is required to write a
three-hour article about a topic in the field of the
intended specialization. The article includes scientific,
intellectual and educational aspects.
NB. The lectures and discussions are all carried out in
standard classical Arabic.
The
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies Departments in Al-Fatih
Islamic Institute in conjunction with Al-Azhar University,
for the Academic Year 2007-2008, run as follow
First: The
Undergraduate Studies Department (BA) includes the following
faculties:
1.
Faculty of Sharia and Law: of the following departments:
a. Islamic Sharia. (females & males)
b. Sharia & Law. (males)
2.
Faculty of Usul Al-Dean (Fundamentals of Islam) &
Philosophy: of the following departments:
a. The sciences of Hadith.
b. Quranic Interpretation and Sciences.
c. Islamic Faith & Philosophy.
d. Quran Variant Readings.
3.
Faculty of Islamic & Arabic Studies: (males)
N.B. A
Research and Study Center is affiliated with the above
Faculty.
4.
Faculty of Arabic Language: of the following
departments:
a. Arabic Language. (females & males)
b. History and Civilization. (males): of two
specializations: History and Civilization.
c. Journalism and Media Studies. (males): of three
specializations: Journalism and Publication, Radio and TV,
Public Relations and Advertising.
N.B. A
Center of Teaching Arabic for foreigners is affiliated with
the above faculty. (males & females)
5. Faculty
of Languages and Translation (Islamic Studies in
International Languages) (females & males)
Second: The
Postgraduate Studies Department (MA. PhD) includes the
following faculties:
1. Faculty
of Sharia and Law: of the following departments:
A.
Department of Islamic Sharia: of the following
specializations:
|
Specialization |
Duration |
|
Usul Al Fiqh (Fundamentals of
Islamic Jurisprudence) (females & males) |
Two introductory years |
|
Comparative Jurisprudence
(females & males) |
Two introductory years |
|
Islamic
Economics, Banking and Finance (females & males)*
|
Two introductory years |
|
Islamic
Economics, Banking and Finance (females & males)*
|
Two introductory years |
|
The Law of personal Status
(males) |
Two introductory years |
B. Department of
Islamic Sharia & Law: It includes the above
mentioned specializations of the faculty of Sharia
in addition to the specializations of the general
and special law.
2. Faculty of
Usul Al-Dean (Fundamentals of Islam): of the following
departments (males & females):
|
Department |
Duration |
|
The sciences of Hadith
|
Two introductory years |
|
Quran Interpretation and Sciences
|
Two introductory years |
|
Islamic Faith & Philosophy |
Two introductory years |
|
Quran Variant Readings |
Two introductory years |
Faculty of Islamic & Arabic
Studies: of the following departments (males):
|
Department |
|
Islamic Sharia: of the same
specializations of the faculty of Sharia |
|
Usul Al-Dean (Fundamentals of
Islam): of the same specializations of the faculty
of Usul Al-Dean |
|
Arabic Language: of the same
specializations of the faculty the Arabic Language |
4. Faculty of Arabic Language:
of the following departments (males & females):
|
Department |
Duration |
|
Morphology and Syntax
|
Two introductory years |
|
Literature and Criticism
|
Two introductory years |
|
Editing
classical Books* |
Two introductory years |
5. Faculty of Islamic Studies
in International Languages: of the following departments
(males & females):
|
Department |
Duration |
Level |
|
English Language |
Two
introductory years, |
Three levels for each year |
|
Spanish Language |
Two
introductory years |
Three levels for each year |
|
French Language |
Two
introductory years |
Three levels for each year |
|
German Language |
Two
introductory years |
Three levels for each year |
N.B. A
Center of Teaching Foreign Languages is affiliated with the
above faculty.
N.B
Preparations are being made to set up studies in Japanese,
Russian and Chinese languages.
Third:
Number of current students:
- The
undergraduate Studies Department: Male this year:
approximately 2400. Females: 1600.
-The
Postgraduate Studies Department in various branches: Male
this year: 271. Females: 111
Number of
Graduates:
-The undergraduate Studies Department: Male and female
graduates are 3000.
-The
Postgraduate Studies Department: Males and females are about
314.
Fourth:
It's worth remarking that Male and female foreign students
come from 75 countries.
Finally,
the academic and administrative staff includes a number of
renowned intellectuals, scholars and professors with long
academic experience, in addition to a number of assistant
professors, lecturers, and teachers from various national
and international universities.
Professor
Hussam-Eddin Farfour
Ph.D.
Islamic and Arabic Studies,Vice-President of Al-Fatih
Islamic Society, Chairman of Graduate Section, Al-Fatih
Islamic Institute.
The
Professor Abd Al-Fattah Al-Bizim
The
Mufti of Damascus The Principal of Al-Fatih Islamic
Institute
(for more information
click here).
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