Al-Fatih Islamic Institute:

Established in (1956 A.D. /1375 H) by the renowned Scholar Muhammad Saleh Al-Farfour, The institute is a kind of reformist and charitable society.

Initially, the institute was a sort of activities practiced in the form of a mosque- "halaqat"  (i.e. Semicircle groups) of students of religion tutored by Sheikh Saleh. These halaqat were directed by the sheikh saleh al-Farfour in Umayyad Mosque and some other mosques in Damascus. Having increased in number and activity it turned to be "Fatih Islamic Charitable Society". Later on the halaqat turned to an institute. The institute was very famous and of high credibility that many imams and scholars came from various towns of Syria, Turkey, Ethiopia, Jordan and other countries to join it. At the time, the institute was only five classes. Upon achieving more and more success the institute assembled all its branches of education into its large present site next to Bilal Mosque, ‘Dawwar al-Matar’ (airport roundabout), Damascus. In 1983 Sheikh Saleh appointed Dr. Abdul Fattah al-Bizm, the grand mufti of Damascus, as the director of al-Fatih Institute (official decision of his appointment was issued 4/10/1984, Ministry of Waqf no. 372/). After the demise of sheikh Saleh, the institute was presided by the highly esteemed Sheikh Abdul Razzaq Al-halabi. As for Dr. Husam al-Farfour (the son of M. Saleh), he is currently the head of the undergraduate and postgraduate studies departments.

1. To raise the standards of the Muslim Community by spreading the real Islamic Science and cultural concepts among them.

2. To invite mankind to Allah based on clear evidence. To adopt a moderate way in Da’wah and to avoid excessiveness and extremism.

3. To bring up a good and righteous generation who are faithful to Allah, their religion, and their nation "Ummah",

4. To instill sound Faith, good knowledge, righteous acts and morals in their minds so that they can spread The Islam of tolerance, brotherhood, mercy and justice to everyone in this world.

5. To invite to Allah in a wise and reasonable way and with the kind word. To harmonize Muslim’s minds and hearts to understand Shari’ah and Truth so that they co-exist smoothly with the modern ways of life.

6. To balance between religion and Science; Islam and Arab culture; originality of the past and the modernity of today.

7. The Development of Islamic sciences in a constructive manner whose prime concern is to keep the pristine foundations of Islam.

8. To tackle the crisis of religious consciousness and intellectual bankruptcy from which our generations have been suffering.

9. To spread a sound, religious awareness, as well as guided education.

The female-branch of Al-Fatih Islamic Institute:

Due to the prominent role a woman plays as a mother, a tutor and a fundamental partner in society, the institute opened a female branch in 1965 A.D. / 1385 H where they are taught Shari’ah (Islamic law) and Arabic language.

The department was inaugurated in 1971 A.D./ 1391 H. The purpose was to provide graduates with in-depth knowledge in their specialization as follows:

1. Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh "Islamic Jurisprudence and its Foundations".

2. Arabic Language and Literature.

3. Sciences of Hadith & Sciences of the Qur’an.

Studies at this department used to be for three years but after signing a scientific and educational agreement with al-Azhar University, the duration of studies was extended to four years. The agreement was signed by Dr. Abdul Fattah al-Bizm as the director, and Dr. Husam al-Farfour as the head of the undergraduate and postgraduate studies departments.
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