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 from January 1-7.
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 co-operation 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 civilisation using Qur’anic teachings and principles.
Dr Benlahcene was recognised as a guest of honour, 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, the 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 centred on how Al Jamiya Al Islamiya can better develop and deliver its Islamic studies programmes, with a special focus on a new master’s programme 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.
Dr Badrane Benlahcene and Dr Mohamed El Gammal led lectures at the renowned Indian institution of Islamic higher education.
