Al Madhrasathul Arabiyyathul Islamiyya (Arabic: المدرسة العربية الاسلامية, Dhivehi: އަލް މަދްރަސަތުލް ޢަރަބިއްޔަތުލް އަސްލާމިއްޔާ), more commonly known as Arabiyya School (Dhivehi: ޢަރަބިއްޔާ ސްކޫލް), is the first and only Arabic Islamic school in the Maldives, educating students from primary to upper secondary grades.

Al Madhrasathul Arabiyyathul Islamiyya
Address
Map
Medhuziyaaraiy Magu

,
20078

Information
Other nameArabiyya School
TypePublic
Religious affiliation(s)Islam
Established8 February 1987
PrincipalMohamed Shujau Abdul Raheem[1]
Grades1-12
Websitehttps://arabiyya.edu.mv

The current school song was introduced in 2016, with lyrics authored by poet Abdulla Afeef.[2] Arabiyya School is the only school in the Maldives that gives assessments which are acceptable to Al-Azhar University.[3]

History

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The school was inaugurated on 8 February 1987 by former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The school has moved into several buildings since then. First, the school was moved to a new building in 2013[4][5], and then in 2021, it was moved to the old foreign ministry building after protests from not wanting to send their kids to Izzudheen School.[6][7][8] Again, in 2023, the students were temporarily relocated to the old Dharumavantha School building for their studies due to cracks in the old building.[9] After protests and the parents of students of Arabiyya talked to then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, it was decided that the new school building will be in the old Jamaluddin School land but that was changed in 2024 to a landfill area by President Mohamed Muizzu.[10][11][12][13] In 2024, amid a controversy regarding the school's Parent–teacher association (PTA), the Ministry of Education dissolved and a new committee was formed.[14]

Education

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There are three steps or groups of grades. Ibthidhaaee is similar to primary and middle school and includes grades one to six. Iudhaadhee is similar to secondary school, starting at grade seven and ending at grade nine. The group of students in grades ten to twelve belong to Saanavee, which is similar to higher secondary school. In grade ten, students choose a stream of study. They can pursue the science stream (Ilmee) or the arts stream (Adhabee).[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Arabiyya School Reinstates Former Principal Mohamed Shujau Abdul Raheem". The Edition. 20 November 2023. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. ^ Rasheed, Zaheena (January 13, 2016). "Schools open for new academic year". Maldives Independent. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  3. ^ Mohamed, Naizak (17 December 2021). "Arabiyya School students to be transferred to two other schools". Sun. Retrieved 12 July 2024. The assessments given to students at Arabiyya School are acceptable to Al-Azhar University in Egypt.
  4. ^ "President visits Arabiyya School". Maldives Times. January 2013. Archived from the original on 2016-10-18. Retrieved 2016-10-15.
  5. ^ "President officially opens the new building of Arabiya School". The President's Office. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Arabiyya students to be shifted to old Foreign Ministry building". Avas. 22 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  7. ^ Haleel, Aman (16 December 2021). "އަރަބިއްޔާ ދަރިވަރުން ވަގުތީ ގޮތުން އިއްޒުއްދީނަށް ބަދަލުކުރަނީ" [Arabiyya students temporarily transferred to Izzudhdheen]. Adhadhu (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  8. ^ Ajfaan, Fathimath (12 December 2021). "އަރަބިއްޔާ ކުދިން އިއްޒުއްދީނަށް ބަދަލު ކުރަން ބެލެނިވެރިން ދެކޮޅު، ރައީސާ ބައްދަލުކުރަނީ" [Parents refuse to transfer Arabiyya students to Izzudhdheen, trying to meet President]. Adhadhu (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  9. ^ Shahid, Malika (12 March 2023). "Dharumavantha School to relocate to new building". The Edition. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Arabiyya parents protest against delays in construction of new school building". Avas. 19 February 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Arabiyya parents to share concerns with Pres Solih". Avas. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  12. ^ Zalif, Zunana (21 December 2021). "New Arabiyya School building to be developed on old Jamaluddin School plot". Raajje TV. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  13. ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (25 February 2024). "Construction of Arabiyya School begins, to be completed in 2 years". The Edition. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  14. ^ Naseem, Uzma (27 March 2024). "Controversial Arabiyya School PTA dissolved; new members elected". The Edition. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Al Madhrasathul Arabiyyathul Islamiyya – Website for Al Madhrasathul Arabiyyathul Islamiyya" (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2019-08-23.

4°10′37″N 73°30′34″E / 4.17694°N 73.50944°E / 4.17694; 73.50944