Faculty of Quran Cape Town

Executive Summary

INTRODUCTION This document describes a proposed Faculty of Quran to be established in Cape Town, South Africa. The Faculty will be a Global Centre of Excellence in Quran (GCEQ). The document describes a potential structure with different departments and the envisaged programmes to be offered and centers and institutions to be affiliated with the Faculty.

OBJECTIVES OF THE FACULTY

1. To be a Global Centre of Excellence in the Study and Teaching of the Holy Quran.

2. To provide students with general and specialized Quranic studies and expose

them to various ideas and intellectual trends around the Quran throughout the world. From an international viewpoint and from the Islamic tradition in its historical context and in the context of the present.

3. To produce learned, highly motivated and well rounded graduates with a wide

ranging understanding of the Quran who have memorized the Quran, are equipped to teach the Quran, apply it, and who are capable of contributing and strengthening the Muslim community in particular and society in general.

STRUCTURE OF THE FACULTY The Faculty will consist of a number of departments, institutes and centers affiliated to it.

Centre of Excellence in Quran (CEQ)

Department of

Quranic Recitation

Department of

Quranic Studies

Centre for Pre-University

Academic Development

Holy Quran Institute

National Institute for Qualifying

Holy Quran Memorisers

Holy Quran Research Centre

Institute of Quranic Methodology

Research, Teachers & Preachers

Training Institute

Da’wa Centre

Publications Centre

Quran & Information and

Communication Technologies (ICT)

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Department of Quranic Recitation This department focuses on reciting and memorizing the Quran. The department will work closely and provide support to the various Hifz schools and programmes in Cape Town, South Africa and beyond. It will have a community outreach programme that will include training teachers of the Quran. This will involve training teachers in madressas and other schools in foundational programmes in the basics of Quranic recitation. Admission to the programmes of this department is conditional on memorizing the entire Quran and at least secondary level school certificate.

Department of Quranic Studies This department focuses on the various fields of study in Quranic studies such as Sciences of the Quran, Miracles of the Quran, Quran in Contemporary Society, Quran, Religion and Science, Research methodology and the Quran etc.

CENTRES AND INSTITUTES OF THE/ ASSOCIATED WITH THE FACULTY OF QURAN. 1. Centre for Pre-University Academic Development

This center will focus on the non-Quranic academic development of learners associated with the faculty and its affiliated centers, institutes and schools, especially hifs schools. The center will provide three tracks along which development will take place. Two tracks will be for educational development. The first track deals with the educational development of learners in line with the requirements of the South African department of education for primary and secondary education. It will consist of: 1. Foundation phase for grades 1 and 3 2. Intermediate phase for grades 4 and 6 3. General Education Training (GET) for grades 7 and 9 4. Further Education Training (FET) for grades 10 and 12 The second track is an academic support programme (ASP) that assists learners through the different grades. The third track is a life skills, enrichment and competency development track that equips learners to cope with the various issues that learners will be confronted with and situations they will face during their developmental phases. This could include self and time management, gender relations, intercultural awareness and interaction, adolescence, problem solving skills and critical thinking, creativity and innovation, project management, social and community development, basic research, computer literacy, etc.

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2. Holy Quran Institute This is the Faculty’s outlet to society. It contributes to society through organizing activities through open courses, recital diplomas in the Holy Quran, model Quranic schools and specialized training courses.

3. National Institute for Qualifying Holy Quran Memorisers

This institute concerns itself with quality and standards and qualifying memorizers of the Holy Quran. The flagship project to be managed by this institute will be the establishment of a National Standards Bearing Authority for the Recitation and Memorisation of the Holy Quran.

4. Holy Quran Research Centre This represents a scientific unit specialised in doing scientific research work in Quranic studies, earnest meditation upon the meanings of the holy Quran and reflecting on human life and the role and application of the Quran in contemporary society.

5. Institute of Quranic Methodology This institute aims at linking people’s life knowledge with the Quran so that the Quran becomes the pivot of the applied and human sciences and so as to achieve the authentication goal desired by the nation in all fields of life.

6. Research, Teachers and Preachers Training Institute This institute trains and qualifies teachers and preachers working independently or in voluntary organizations to spread Islamic Da’wa in a scientific and practical way.

7. Da’wa Centre This centre focuses on the administration of Da’wa activities outside the syllabus and organizes general cultural and Da’wa activities throughout the community, province and the country.

8. Publications Centre This centre produces publications on the Holy Quran. It also makes the Quran available and accessible to the various segments of the population in their respective mother tongues. All publications and Qurans printed to be made available and distributed throughout the country.

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9. Quran and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre This centre specializes in teaching and spreading the message of the Quran through the use of cellular technology, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Mxit, Youtube, etc.) and information and communication technologies. Amongst the projects of this centre will be a Website, quarterly electronic newsletters, CD sets, video aids for teaching the Quran and teaching aids consisting of multi-media kits, etc. A flagship project of this centre will be the development of an integrated cellular, social media and web-based platform for the Quran.

Degree programme The Faculty will offer the Batchelor of Arts in Quran Degree. The degree will be a four year undergraduate degree consisting of foundational courses and qualifications from the department of Quranic Recitation and the department of Quranic Studies. Students will also have to complete compulsory and elective courses at the various centres and institutes affiliated with the Faculty of Quran. A fundamental component of the degree programme is for students to demonstrate ability to translate knowledge of Quran to practical activities from which the community as a whole and society at large can benefit. The degree will also have an exchange value and this will be made possible through allowing students to choose a major stream that will increase their marketability in the job market. The Faculty will partner with other tertiary educational institutes who offer qualifications in various fields such as computers, finance, marketing, business, media and communications, entrepreneurship, etc.

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BATCHELOR OF QURAN The combination of courses and programmes from amongst the following tracks would have to be completed. Track 1 – Department of Quranic Recitation and Department of Quranic Studies Track 2 – Courses and participation in programmes, projects and initiatives of the various institutes and centres affiliated to the Faculty of Quran. Track 3 – Academic and vocational courses and programmes of tertiary level partner educational institutions. Year One First Semester

1. Quran I

2. Quranic Science I

3. Ethics in the Quran

4. Research Methods and the Use of Sources

5. Principles of Logic

6. Course/Programme/Project Required by the Faculty (Compulsory)

7. Course Required by the Faculty (Elective)

Course Description

Quran I - This course involves study of the intonation of part 1 of the Holy Quran and

memorization of it.

Quranic Science I - This course introduces students to aspects of Quranic science such as

revelation and inimitability, and to issues surrounding the study of Quranic science such as

textual translations, text manuscripts, and readings and readers.

Ethics in the Quran - This course examines the Islamic system of ethics as articulated in the

Quran. Relevant passages concern goodness, truthfulness, obligation, responsibility,

punishment, reward, patience, and co-operation.

Research Methods and the Use of Sources - The relationship between logical thinking and

research methodology is discussed, as are the methods of Moslem logicians, particularly in

jurisprudence and rhetorical analysis. Other topics include traditional and contemporary sources

of information and the appropriate usage of them, and research mechanics.

Principles of Logic - This course examines the development of the philosophical branch of logic,

the general principles of logic, and applications of logic with regard to presentation (including

analogy), argumentation, and proof.

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Second Semester

1. Quran II 2. Intonation and Reading 3. Creed I 4. Islamic Philosophy I 5. Course/Programme/Project Required by the Faculty (Compulsory) 6. Course Required by the Faculty (Elective) 7. Course Required by the Faculty (Elective)

Course Description

Quran II - This course involves study of the intonation of part 2 of the Holy Quran and

memorization of it.

Intonation and reading - This course discusses the intonational scope of the Quran: its

judgment of women; its judgment of nun, meem, lam, and ra. Other topics of discussion include

the benefits of reading the Quran and judgment of its readers.

Creed I - This course introduces the study of Islamic creed. Fundamental characteristics of creed

will be discussed, as will its literary sources, and the influence of the Quran and Sunna on the

early Muslims at the time of the Prophet.

Islamic Philosophy I - This course examines the beginnings of Islamic rational philosophical

thinking; specific Muslim philosophers and their theories; Islamic approaches to Greek

philosophy; and the influence of Islamic philosophy on Christian philosophy of the Middle Ages.

Year Two First Semester

1. Quran III 2. Readings in Science I 3. Methods of Exegesis 4. Quranic Stories 5. Course/Programme/Project Required by the Faculty (Compulsory) 6. Course Required by the Faculty (Elective) 7. Course Required by the Faculty (Elective)

Course Description

Quran III - This course involves study of the intonation of part 3 of the Holy Quran and

memorization of it.

Readings in Science 1 - Hadith versions that contradict the Quran and other Hadiths are

discussed in an attempt to authenticate the traditions of the Prophet.

Methods of Exegesis - The student is introduced to methods of exegesis as they have

developed across time. Causes of differences in the methods of Quranic scholars will be

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explained. The exegesis of short surras, linguistic exegesis, and semantic exegesis will be the

subject of close attention.

Quranic Stories - This course explores the concept of "a story" in the Quran, as well as specific

narrative structure, the goals of Quranic stories, and methods of research in the subject

area.

Second Semester

1. Quran IV 2. Quranic Science II 3. Islamic Philosophy II 4. Exegesis I 5. Eloquence 6. Methods of Elocution in the Quran and Sunna 7. Course/Programme/Project Required by the Faculty (Compulsory) 8. Course Required by the Faculty (elective)

Course Description

Quran IV - This course involves study of the intonation of part 4 of the Holy Quran and

memorization of it.

Quranic Science II - This course focuses on various formats of texts; on editions and variations

between editions; on methods of collation and other means of identification. Calligraphies will be

examined in close detail. As a result of such scrutiny the student will learn to evaluate texts and

pass judgements based on scholarly principles.

Islamic Philosophy II - A continuation of Islamic Philosophy I, this course examines in detail

specific Muslim philosophers and the originality of their theories. The writings of Al-Kindi,

Avicenna, Averroes, and Al-Farabi are given special attention. The way philosophical

methodology is used to refute the arguments of heretics and materialists is discussed in detail.

Exegesis I - This course explores some of the surras, which were revealed, to the Prophet in

Mecca and Medina. With a view to linguistic subtlety and to subject matter, these surras will be

thoroughly analyzed.

Eloquence - Vocabulary, style, and structure of the Quran and the Holy Books will be explored at

length. The objective of the course is to equip the student with the skills necessary to realize the

beauty and harmony of the Arabic language.

Methods of Elocution in the Quran and Sunna - This course briefly studies the scholarship of

Hadith. Turning thereafter to the subject of elocution, sections of the Quran will be analyzed

along with a selected number of Hadiths from Al-Bukhary.

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Year Three

First Semester

1. Quran V 2. Readings in Science II 3. Exegesis II 4. Religions and Schools 5. Women, the Quran and Islam 6. Course/Programme/Project Required by the Faculty (Compulsory) 7. Course Required by the Faculty (Elective) 8. Course Required by the Faculty (Elective)

Course Description

Quran V - This course involves study of the intonation of part 5 of the Holy Quran and

memorization of it.

Readings in Science II - Selected texts from the Books of Hadith will be read along with

numerous critical commentaries. Students will be asked to evaluate the commentaries in terms

of explanatory power and comprehensiveness.

Exegesis II - This course investigates further the surras, which were revealed to the Prophet in

Mecca. The social and legislative points raised in them are given special attention. Methods of

argumentation, particularly the modern ones, are singled out for discussion.

Religions and Schools - This course compares Islamic and secular educational systems and

discusses the necessity of religious and Quranic training in schools. The characteristics, means,

and sources of Islamic education will be delineated and educational unity discussed.

Women, the Quran and Islam – This course investigates the position and role of women as

articulated in the Quran, the experience through history and role and contribution of women in

contemporary society.

Second Semester

1. Quran VI 2. Methods of Quranic and Islamic Education 3. Exegesis III 4. Islam and Human Rights 5. Course/Programme/Project Required by the Faculty (Compulsory) 6. Course Required by the Faculty (elective) 7. Course Required by the Faculty (elective) 8. Course Required by the Faculty (elective)

Course Description

Quran VI - This course involves study of the intonation of part 6 of the Holy Quran and

memorization of it.

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Methods of Quranic and Islamic Education - This course is concerned with Quranic and

Islamic education as an integrated whole; the means and sources of Islamic education; the

educational unity and cohesiveness of the Quran, the Sunna, the Islamic creed, and the

biography of the Prophet; and Islamic extra-curricular activities. Emphasis will be placed

throughout on practical applications.

Exegesis III - Drawing upon the methodological content of Exegesis I and II, verses of

Jurisprudence will be closely examined.

Islam and Human Rights - The purpose of this course is to study fundamental concepts of

human rights whether expressed through Islamic legislation or through secular law in relation to

the Quran. Special attention will be given to the efforts made by the European Union, the United

Nations, and the Arab League to protect human rights and how this compares with notions of

human rights as articulated in the Quran.

Year Four First Semester

1. Quran VII 2. Miracles of the Quran 3. Jurisprudence of Jihad 4. Quran and Systems of Government in Islam 5. Course/Programme/Project Required by the Faculty (Compulsory) 6. Course Required by the Faculty (Elective) 7. Course Required by the Faculty (Elective) 8. Course Required by the Faculty (Elective)

Course Description

Quran V II - This course involves study of the intonation of part 7 of the Holy Quran and

memorization of it.

Miracles of the Quran - Miracles are studied as proofs of the truthfulness of prophecy.

Jurisprudence of Jihad and Da’wa - This course acquaints the student with the meaning of

Jihad and the difference between it and war; the conditions for, and goals and instruments, of

Jihad; and the ethics of those involved. It also examines the meaning, goals, and means of

Da'wa, and historical instances of its use to call for Jihad.

Quran and Systems of Government in Islam - This course looks at Arab traditions and

institutions in the pre-Islamic period before moving on to Islamic institutions at the time of the

Prophet; the emergence and development of the caliphate; and administrative, financial, military,

and judicial systems of today. The central thesis of the course is can a Quranic system of

government be implemented in contemporary society?

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Second Semester

1. Quran VIII 2. Exegesis III 3. The Quran, Islam and Contemporary Ideologies 4. Methods of Call and Guidance 5. Course/Programme/Project Required by the Faculty (Compulsory) 6. Course Required by the Faculty (elective) 7. Course Required by the Faculty (elective)

Course Description

Quran VIII - This course involves study of the intonation of part 8 of the Holy Quran and

memorization of it.

Exegesis III - Drawing upon the methodological content of Exegesis I and II, verses of

Jurisprudence will be closely examined.

The Quran, Islam and Contemporary Ideologies - This course characterizes certain

contemporary ideologies and philosophies, including Nationalism, Capitalism, Marxism,

Pragmatism, and Existentialism, noting differences between them and comparing them to

Quranic and Islamic thought.

Methods of Call and Guidance - This course reviews the principles of Da'wa and the exemplary

character of callers before moving on to an historical survey of the methods of callers. A number

of callers from East and West will be examined in close detail. Topics of discussion include the

meaning of Da'wa, its instrumental purposes, and its methods. Methods for contacting both

individuals and groups will be explored and the importance of discerning the appropriate means

of contact emphasized. As part of the course students will practice these different methods

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STRUCTURE OF THE FACULTY OF QURAN

The Faculty will be governed by a Faculty Board.

Composition: This board will consists of elected representatives of the Academic

Board, Senior Management Team, Enterprise Board, Quranic Reciters and Memorisers

Council; the Student body, local, national and International leaders.

Functions: The Faculty Board is the ultimate decision making body of the Faculty. It

deals with matters relating to finance, and organisation, as well as ratifying decisions

made by other bodies.

Academic Board

Composition: Senior and qualified academic and research staff from within the faculty,

nationally and internationally.

Functions: The Academic Board will perform the following functions;

Maintain academic standards

Establish collaborative programmes

Academic development and learning

Recruitment and marketing

Determine the research footprint

Determine research agenda and research programme\

Learning, teaching and research methodologies

Senior Management Team (SMT)

Composition: Dean and heads of Departments

Functions: The senior management team will be responsible for the following;

Planning and budgeting

Teaching and research

Finance

Staffing

Estate and accommodation

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Student Affairs

Health and safety

Communication

Information systems and technology

Special projects

Enterprise Board

Composition: Respected local, national and international businessmen, entrepreneurs

and professionals

Functions: The enterprise board will be responsible for the following;

Establishing a Waqf Fund for the Faculty.

Identifying and establishing enterprises for and linked to the Faculty that can

generate income for the Faculty.

Ensuring the enterprises associated with the faculty are viable and sustainable

businesses.