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Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah

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Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah[a] is an Arabic academy dedicated to Islamic learning based in India, Pakistan, and Kenya. Established in Surat as Dars-e Saifee c. 1810 by Abde'Ali Saifuddin, it was after extensive renovation (c. 1960s) and expansion (c. 1980s and c. 2010s) carried out by Taher Saifuddin and Mohammed Burhanuddin, the university gained prominence.[6][7] Today, as holder of the office of Dāʿī al-Mutlaq, Mufaddal Saifuddin is the sole benefactor of the institute.[8][9]

Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah
الجامعۃ السـیفیۃ
Aljamea campus, Surat
Former names
Dars-e-Saifee
TypePrivate Theological University
Established1810
ChancellorDr. Mohammed Burhanuddin
Vice-ChancellorDr. Mufaddal Saifuddin
Rector
Students2500[1]
Campus
Affiliations
Website

History

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I have been systematically endeavoring in recent years to restructure this time-honored Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah so as to harmonize its concepts, its curricula and its general outlook and perspective with the dynamics and the demands of the new age, without, at the same time doing any damage to the essentials and fundamentals of its original objectives. It has also been my effort to improve the quality, the standard and the diversity of the knowledge imparted in this institution so as to raise it to the status of a respected academy which would attract scholars from all places and from which would radiate rays of sober wisdom and light.

—Taher Saifuddin[10]

Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin established Dars-e Saifee (Urdu: درسِ سيفي, lit. 'Saifee School'), a theology school for the Dawoodi Bohra community, in 1810.[11]

The 51st Dai al-Mutlaq, Taher Saifuddin introduced secular and scientific subjects in the 1960s and gave it the present name of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, and admitted its first female students. Mohammed Burhanuddin undertook a complete renovation and expansion of the campus buildings.[12]

In 1969, during his 57th birthday celebration, Mohammed Burhanuddin established Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Karachi, Pakistan. The construction of this 14-acre campus that commenced on same year was completed by Burhanuddin, and inaugurated by the President of Pakistan, Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq, on 4 November 1983.[13]

In 2011, during centennial celebrations, Mohammed Burhanuddin established Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Nairobi, Kenya. The construction of this 14-acre campus that commenced in 2013 was completed under the reign of Mufaddal Saifuddin, Burhanuddin's son and successor, and inaugurated by the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, on 20 April 2017.[14][15][16]

In 2013, during golden jubilee celebrations of his throne, Mohammed Burhanuddin established Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah at Marol in Mumbai, India. The construction of this 14-acre campus that commenced in 2015 was completed under the reign of Mufaddal Saifuddin, and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on 10 February 2023.[17][18]

Ashara Mubaraka

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In 2021, Mufaddal Saifuddin delivered Ashara Mubaraka sermons in the Nairobi campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah's Masjid al-Zahra. It marked the first time that Ashara Mubaraka was hosted by Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah.[citation needed]

Curriculum

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Its educational focus is the Quran, Islamic sciences, Islamic Jurisprudence, Arabic language, and Literature.[19] Students are sent around the world for religious duties during the Ashara Mubaraka and Ramadan.[20]

A 11-year course of study is divided into three phases:[2] The first phase is four years and involves 55 courses, the second phase is five years, subdivided into three years with 75 courses and two years with 90 subjects,[citation needed] and the final two-year phase focuses on specialization and advanced studies in Islamic and Arabic sciences.[2]

At the end of the 11th year, the students graduate with the degree of al-Faqih al-Jayyid,[2] and are sent on khidmah (lit. 'community service') to hajj and other pilgrimages at full cost to the office of the Da'i al-Mutlaq.[21] These graduates, as per tradition, invite the Da'i al-Mutlaq for a ziyafat (lit. 'banquet') as a show of gratitude.[22]

The al-Faqih al-Jayyid degree is equivalent to the Masters of Arts[2] from Aligarh Muslim University, recognized by Al Azhar and Cairo University.[5] Four years of study at the university is equivalent to secondary education (GCSE) and seven years is equivalent to Higher Secondary (GCE A Level) post which the students qualify to test for an International Baccalaureate,[2] recognized by Oxford University and others.[5]

Campuses

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Left: Old entrance gate at Surat Jamea. Right: A Bab al-Futuh replica at the entrance of Aljamea at Hyderi, Karachi.

The principal university campus is situated in Surat (India) with three sister campuses in Karachi (Pakistan), Nairobi (Kenya), and Marol (Mumbai, India).

est. (ھـ) ing. (ھـ) City Country Continent Students
1224 1380 Surat   India Asia 1,000
1389 1404 Karachi   Pakistan 550
1432 1438 Nairobi   Kenya Africa 500
1434 1444 Marol, Mumbai   India Asia 300

Surat

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Mohammed Burhanuddin renovated the Surat campus in c. 1983: The aesthetics of the new buildings complement their purpose: to provide an inspiring and conducive environment for learning and nurturing.[23] The academic block north houses classrooms, administrative offices, Iwaan (a large hall where annual exams are held amongst other events that involve the entire student and teaching faculties), and Al-Masjid al-Fatimi (which sits between the garden and the Iwaan). Opposite to the academic block is a library that houses more than 150,000 books and subscribes to more than 100 periodicals.[24] The Masakin (boys' hostel) and Rabwat (girls' hostel) blocks are adjacent to the academic block.

South of the campus is Devdi Mubarak (lit. 'lord's honorable house'), the Da'i al-Mutlaq's residence, at the end of which is Mahad al-Zahra:[when?] An institute for memorization and recitation of Quran, and for Quranic arts and sciences. Further south are Mazar-e Saifee (mausoleum of seven Dua't Mutlaqeen) and Masjid-e Moazzam (lit. 'The Great Mosque').

Marol

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The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi inaugurated Aljamea's fourth campus in Marol on February 10, 2023.[25]

Rectors

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Taher Saifuddin (left) and his son, Ameer al-Jamea, Yusuf Najmuddin (c. 1945).

Following the death of its first rector[b] post-renovations, Yusuf Najmuddin in 1987 (1407 ھ), Mohammed Burhanuddin appointed four rectors in his place:[c] His two brothers Qasim Hakimuddin, Abbas Fakhurdddin, and his two sons Qaidjoher Ezzuddin and Mufaddal Saifuddin.[26] Mohammed Burhanuddin instructed the newly appointed rectors that in the event that there was a difference of opinion amongst them, then Mufaddal Saifuddin's opinion should take precedence.[27]

Following the death of Mohammed Burhanuddin, on 16 Rabi al-Awwal 1435 ھ (17 January 2014), and Mufaddal Saifuddin's succession as 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, he appointed his son Jafar us Sadiq Imaduddin as Aljamea's fourth rector.[28]

After the death of Abbas Fakhruddin on 14 February 2018,[29] and of Qasim Hakimuddin shortly thereafter on 5 April 2018 (in Surat),[30] Mufaddal Saifuddin appointed Aliasghar Kalimuddin and Malik-ul Ashtar Shujauddin as Rectors.[31] Aliasgar bhaisaheb Kalimuddin has also passed away in 2024,[32] leaving one of the seats empty for now.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Arabic: الجامِعةُ السّـيفِيّة, lit. 'The Saifiyah University'; Lisan al-Dawat: الجامعۃ السـیفیۃ; Urdu: جامعۃ سـیفیۃ, romanized: Jamea Saifiyah.
  2. ^ Arabic: أمير الجامعة, romanized: Amīr al-Jamea.
  3. ^ Arabic: الأمراء الجامعة, romanized: Umarāʿ al-Jamea.

References

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  1. ^ "Current Student Count - Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah". jameasaifiyah.edu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 Jun 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "The Three Stages". jameasaifiyah.edu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 Jun 2020.
  3. ^ "Assessment Visit". jameasaifiyah.com. 22 Jan 2018. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020.
  4. ^ "People: Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin" (PDF). Vol. 27, no. 326. Bangalore: Islamic Voice. Feb 2014. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 June 2020 – via islamicvoice.com. Dr. Burhanuddin greatly modernized the community and its institutions. Under his stewardship the Bohra religious school Jameatus Saifiya at Surat introduced the modern curriculum together with religious curriculum and opted for International Baccalaureate program under IBO.
  5. ^ a b c d e "City's Arabic univ now opens campus in Nairobi". timesofindia.com. Surat: Times of India. 28 Apr 2017. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020.
  6. ^ "A brief history of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah". jameasaifiyah.edu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 Jun 2020.
  7. ^ Mustafa, Shabbir Hussain (2011). "In Defense of the Community: Syedna Taher Saifuddin and Reassertion of Authority". Between Community and Securalism: The Dawoodi Bohras and Agendas of 'Reform' in India, c. 1915-1985 (Thesis). National University of Singapore. pp. 60–83. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Realisation of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah". jameasaifiyah.ed u. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Timeline of Key Events - Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah". jameasaifiyah.edu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 Jun 2020.
  10. ^ "His Holiness Dr Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA". jameasaifiyah.edu. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  11. ^ "In 1225/1810, the 43rd dāʿī, Syedna Abdeʿali Saifuddin RA, constructed an academy in Surat that consisted of designated areas for teaching, student residences and a masjid. Syedna placed this academy, which he named Darse Saifee, adjacent to his residence to signify the deep value and respect he accorded to education and its seekers". instagram.com. Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah. 1 Jul 2020. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020.
  12. ^ Mukherjee, Soumen (2017). Ismailism and Islam in Modern South Asia. Cambridge University Press. p. 180. ISBN 9781107154087 – via books.google.com.
  13. ^ "Prime Minister to visit Mumbai today, second time in less than a month". The Indian Express. 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  14. ^ "The Dawoodi Bohras - President Kenyatta inaugurates new Aljamea campus in Nairobi". thedawoodibohras.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-22. Retrieved 2017-04-21.
  15. ^ "The Dawoodi Bohras - Syedna arrives in Nairobi for Jamea campus opening and annual exam". thedawoodibohras.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-22. Retrieved 2017-04-21.
  16. ^ "The Dawoodi Bohras - Arabic academy of Dawoodi Bohra community inaugurated in Nairobi". thedawoodibohras.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-22. Retrieved 2017-04-21.
  17. ^ "Modi likely to open Bohra University". 29 January 2023.
  18. ^ Deshpande, Abhinay (2023-02-10). "'I'm your family member', says PM Modi after inaugurating Dawoodi Bohra community's Arabic Academy in Mumbai". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  19. ^ "The Dawoodi Bohras - Education". www.thedawoodibohras.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-19. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  20. ^ Izzuddin, Tasneem Saify (2016). "Chapter 3: Population and Geographical Distribution of Dawoodi Bohras" (PDF). Conceptual study of the Quranic education system managed under Dawoodi Bohra Spiritual leadership (Thesis). Shri Jagdishprasad Jhabarmal Tibarewala University. hdl:10603/111649. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 June 2020 – via shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in.
  21. ^ Kaur, Kuldip (2007) [1990]. Madrasa Education in India: A Study of Its Past and Present. New Delhi: Centre for Research in Rural & Industrial Development. p. 54.
  22. ^ Blank, Jonah (2001). "Qasr-e Ali: The Royals". Mullahs on the Mainframe: Islam and Modernity Among the Daudi Bohras. University of Chicago Press. p. 148. ISBN 9780226056760 – via books.google.com.
  23. ^ A Golden Era. Mumbai: Department of Statistics and Information. 2016. p. 18 – via Dawat-e-Hadiyah.
  24. ^ "From Gurukul to IBO Varsity", The Times of India, Surat: Times of India, 6 November 2009, archived from the original on 29 June 2020
  25. ^ "PM Modi to inaugurate Dawoodi Bohra community's Arabic academy in Marol". February 2023.
  26. ^ "Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah | Official Website » 1407/1987". jameasaifiyah.edu. Archived from the original on 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  27. ^ His Holiness, Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb (1436H). رسالة النعي المسماة - حكمة الغيبة القدسانية الابدية. Mumbai, India: Badri Mahal.
  28. ^ His Holiness, Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb (1437H). شكر نعم اصحاب البركات. His Holiness Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb, Badri Mahal, Mumbai, India. p. 1269.
  29. ^ "Obituary: Shahzada Abbas bhaisaheb Fakhruddin". The Dawoodi Bohras. Archived from the original on 2018-04-12. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  30. ^ "Obituary: Mazoon al-Dawat, Syedi Qasim bhaisaheb Hakimuddin". thedawoodibohras.com. 5 Apr 2018. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  31. ^ Imtihan al-Sanawi (in Urdu). Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021. Alt URL
  32. ^ https://jameasaifiyah.edu/aljamea-tus-saifiyah-mourns-the-loss-of-its-rector-2/
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