Two professors from the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), recently travelled to Kerala, India, where they delivered a series of lectures on Contemporary Fiqh and Comparative Religions to undergraduate and graduate students at Al Jamia Al Islamiya, an Islamic university in the Indian state, from January 1 - 7, 2019.

Dr. Badrane Benlahcene and Dr. Mohamed El Gammal, associate professors at CIS, led daily lectures at the renowned Indian institution of Islamic higher education, as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two institutions in September 2018. The agreement outlines cooperation between the two institutes on graduate-level education to promote knowledge on the intellectual, scientific, research, and sociocultural contributions of Islam.

Commenting on the faculty members’ visit facilitated by the MoU, Dr. El Gammal said: “The impact of the MoU cannot be underestimated; these are the means by which CIS plays an instrumental role in creating impact in Islamic studies education outside its own geographical borders. With the agreement with Al Jamiya Al Islamiya, CIS will continue to support the development of Islamic education in a state that has such a rich and vast Muslim community.”

As a prelude to the visit, both professors were also invited to the institution’s conference on “Building the World in the Light of Qur’an,” which focused on developing and addressing the challenges of modern civilizations using Qur’anic teachings and principles. Dr. Benlahcene was recognized as a Guest of Honor, delivered the inaugurating speech at the conference, as well as his paper on “The Role of Religion on Achieving Social Development.”

In addition to the series of lectures and the conference, CIS professors offered consultations to the institutional leadership and faculty based on the CIS experience and curriculum, and the college’s unique interdisciplinary approach to the delivery of Islamic education. These consultations centered on how Al Jamiya Al Islamiya can better develop and deliver its Islamic studies programs, with a special focus on a new master’s program to be added to its Islamic studies portfolio. “These consultations form the seeds of developing strongly founded academic standards in the field of Islamic studies for the sake of Islam, Muslims, and humanity at large,” said Dr. Badrane.

CIS serves as a hub for contemporary Islamic studies that promotes dialogue on ideas concerning Islam. The college offers five graduate degree programs and houses several distinguished research centers that bring together scholars and thought leaders from around the world.