The Islamic Education Board (IEB) of The World Federation is close to finalizing the start of the most significant project in the history of our community: the Muballigheen Training Programme (MTP). The MTP was an idea that Muballigheen themselves recommended the World Federation to embark upon, and thereby serve the needs of Jamaats by providing them with high quality scholars. From that inspiration given by the Muballigheen, and then the community worldwide, IEB is pleased to announce that MTP is on track to commence teaching the first intake of students in September 2007.

On a recent visit to Damascus, The President of The World Federation, Dr Ahmed Hassam, and the Honorary Treasurer, Azadbhai Kanani, had the opportunity of meeting Hujjatul Islam wal Muslimeen Shaykh Haleem Behbahani, the Syria representative of Ayatullah al Uzma Sayyid Ali al-Hussaini Sistani. The office of Ayatullah Sistani assured the World Federation delegation of the full support of the Programme. Sheikh Haleem has committed to:

• Assist in obtaining the necessary permissions for the World Federation’s Muballigheen Training Academy in Damascus
• Advise and assist on the formation of the proposed curriculum
• Advise and assist in the recruitment of senior academic lecturers
• Obtain Syrian residence permits for students and staff of the Muballigheen Training Academy

All other preparations, to ensure the Academy has the best administrative and physical infrastructure are in full swing. Recent additions to the staff and volunteers of MTP are:

• Shaykh Sami Bu Khamseen: Academy Educational Director. Shaykh Sami studied at Howza-e-Ilmiya in Iran and at Howza-e-Zainabia in Damascus. He is also a Graduate of the Damascus Azad University where he obtained a BA in Philosophy and Islamic theology.
• Shaykh Kassim Assady: Senior Lecturer – Arabic. Shaykh Kassim studied at Howza-e-Tabrizy, and is a linguistic Graduate of Baghdad University, where he also obtained a Masters Degree.
• Imraan Gulam Khakoo: Deputy Muballigheen Training Cooordinator. Originally from Los Angeles, Imraan is now working in Washington DC. Having recently spent a year studying Arabic in Damascus, Imraan is well suited for this position.
• Abdulhusseinbhai Tejani: Human Resources Advisor
• Sharminbai Pirbhai: Legal Contracts Advisor
• Fatimbai Chagpar: Prospectus Designer
• Muballigheen Training Administrator: Four candidates have been short listed to fill this position. Interviews will be conducted in April 2007

The Syllabus:
The World Federation has received the first draft of both, the contemporary academic and the Islamic Hawza curricula that will be taught. The whole curriculum is being fine tuned to meet the requirements to obtain a Masters Degree accreditation from Winchester University, England. 

The Campus:
For the campus and student accommodation, the World Federation has purchased a 36,000 sq. meter plot in the Seyyida Zainab district of Damascus. Concept drawings are being prepared by Zehrabai Abedi. Outline Planning Permission has been applied for with the Seyyida Zainab district Municipality. Gulamabbasbhai Kassam (BSc, CEng, MICE, MIStructE) is the Consultant Project Engineer. Gulamabbasbhai attained highest level of engineering contract management skills in East Africa, with experience in the implementation of traditional and fast-track Design-Build contracts from architectural concepts to construction and commissioning.

Land purchased for Damascus MTP campus

For further information, email ieb@world-federation.org

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