Updated 16 September 2008

By the Grace of Allah (swt), the second year of the Muballigheen Training Programme (MTP) at the Islamic Institute for Postgraduate Studies (IIPS), Sayyida Zainab (s), began on 6 September 2008. This year, six more students have joined the four year course in which students learn a wide range of traditional Islamic subjects in Arabic as well as gaining a Masters degree for modules completed in tailor-made modern academic subjects in English.

Joining the IIPS academic staff this year as the Designated Tutor is Shaykh Mohammed Ali Ismail from Peterborough, England. Shaykh Mohammed Ali graduated in Law and then studied ten years in the Hawza of Qum where he first specialised in Philosophy and Theology and then in Quran and Tradition. On his return to England last year, Shaykh Mohammed Ali completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) while also rendering a range of Islamic services to Wessex Jamaat. Apart from his strong academic background and experience in tableegh, Shaykh Mohammed Ali brings with him a proven track record in teaching, having taught Islamic subjects during his studies in Qum and conducted CPDs on Theology and Family Ethics in England, as well as having taught Law during the course of his PGCE.

The Institute was delighted that Shaykh Mohammed Ali was officially presented his ‘amamah’ by Sayyid Mohsin Hashimi on the first evening of the holy month of Ramadhan at the Office of Ayatullah Sistani in Damascus. Sayyid Mohsin Hashimi, a renowned Mujtahid and Academic Director of the Board of Questions and Answers of Ayatullah Sistani’s Office in Qum, has known Shaykh Mohammed Ali for many years and prayed for his tawfiqaat in serving the community. The Institute takes great pleasure in welcoming Shaykh Mohammed Ali on board.

 ‘Shaykh Mohammed Ali Ismail with Sayyid Mohsin Hashimi’

A few days before the start of the new academic year, all the teachers of the Arabic subjects and IIPS staff were invited for iftar at the Institute. The function provided an excellent opportunity for team building and for sharing thoughts on the year ahead. The teachers and staff who were able to attend were (from left to right in the picture below): Shaykh Kassim Al-Assady (Arabic Coordinator), Shaykh Shakir Al-Jandil (Arabic Grammar), Sayyid Jawad Barbar (History), Shaykh Qasim Al-Akhundi (Logic, Theology and Principles of Jurisprudence), Shaykh Samir Ubayd (Jurisprudence and Tradition), Haji Hussein Ravji (Manager), Shaykh Ali Qaid (Nahjul Balaghah), Shaykh Mohammed Ali Ismail (Designated Tutor), Shaykh Yahya Al-Razi (Oratory Skills), Shaykh Haydar Al-Hamidi (Education Secretary) and Shaykh Sami Bo-Khamseen (Educational Director).

‘Teachers and staff at the iftar function held at the IIPS’

For further information about the IIPS, visit www.wfiips.org or email iips@world-federation.org