Category: Islamic institute

🕌 How to Get Admission in Al-Azhar University (Jamia Al-Azhar), Egypt – A Guide for International Students

Al-Azhar University, based in Cairo, Egypt, is one of the oldest and most respected Islamic institutions in the world. Founded in 970 CE, it is renowned for its deep scholarship in Islamic studies, Arabic language, and Shari’ah. Every year, students from across the globe dream of studying at this prestigious center of Islamic learning.

If you are an international student interested in studying at Jamia Al-Azhar, here’s a simplified guide to help you understand the admission process.

📚 Available Faculties for International Students

Some of the popular departments include:

Faculty of Islamic Theology (Aqeedah, Tafsir, Hadith)
Faculty of Shari’ah and Law
Faculty of Arabic Language
Faculty of Islamic Dawah
Faculties of Medicine, Engineering, Science (for advanced learners)

🌐 Who Can Apply?

Any Muslim student from around the world can apply if they:

Have completed secondary education (equivalent to 12 years of schooling)
Can read and understand Arabic, as most courses are taught in Arabic
Hold an Islamic educational background (for religious faculties)

📝 How to Apply to Al-Azhar University (2025 Edition)

✅ Step 1: Prepare Required Documents

Make sure you have these documents ready:

Passport (valid for at least 1 year)
High school certificate (attested and translated into Arabic or English)
Birth certificate (translated)
Passport-sized photos
Islamic study certificates (if available)
Medical clearance (health certificate)

💡 Tip: All documents must be attested by your Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Egyptian Embassy in your country.

✅ Step 2: Submit Application

You have two options to apply:

Online Registration (when open)
- Visit the official website: https://www.azhar.eg
- Look for “Admission for International Students”
- Register and upload your documents
Apply in Person (more common)
- Travel to Cairo, Egypt
- Submit your documents to Al-Azhar’s International Student Office
- You may be required to take a basic Arabic test (for religious faculties)

✅ Step 3: Take Placement Test (If Required)

If you are applying to Islamic departments, you may be tested in:
- Arabic grammar (Nahw & Sarf)
- Basic Fiqh and Qur’an knowledge

If your Arabic is weak, you may first study in “Ma’had Al-Azhar (Arabic Language Institute)”, which prepares students for university-level Arabic.

✅ Step 4: Wait for Acceptance

Once your application is processed, Al-Azhar will issue you an acceptance letter
With this letter, you can apply for a student visa through the Egyptian Embassy

🏠 Living in Egypt

Hostels and dorms are available for students
Basic Arabic is needed for daily life
Cairo has a large international student community, especially from Asia, Africa, and Europe

💰 Is it Free?

Yes, Al-Azhar offers fully funded education (no tuition fees) for international students in most Islamic faculties. However, students must pay for:

Visa and travel costs
Personal expenses
Dormitory/hostel living (low cost)

📌 Summary Checklist

Requirement	Status
Valid Passport	✅ Required
High School Certificate	✅ Required
Arabic Proficiency	✅ Highly Recommended
Embassy Attestation	✅ Required
Online/In-person Application	✅ One of the two
Student Visa	✅ After acceptance

🤲 Final Thoughts

Studying at Al-Azhar University is a dream for many — and for good reason. Its legacy, Islamic environment, and scholarly excellence are unmatched. With effort and sincere intention, international students from around the world can benefit from this prestigious Islamic institution.

“Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah makes easy for him a path to Paradise.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Sahih Muslim)

June 27, 2025

🏛️ The Top 10 Islamic Universities Around the World (2025 Edition)
In a world increasingly shaped by knowledge, Islamic universities are at the forefront of nurturing minds rooted in faith, scholarship, and global impact. From historic institutions dating back over 1,000 years to modern campuses with cutting-edge research, here are the Top 10 Islamic Universities in the world — shaping the future through Islamic values and academic excellence.

🌍 1. Al-Azhar University – Cairo, Egypt

🕌 Founded: 970 CE
📖 Known for: Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), Arabic language, Quranic studies

Al-Azhar is the oldest continuously operating Islamic university in the world. Revered as the heart of Sunni Islamic scholarship, it has shaped the thoughts of scholars for centuries. Today, it combines traditional studies with modern sciences, making it the most respected Islamic learning institution worldwide.

✅ Why It Stands Out:
- Recognized authority in issuing fatwas
- Historic legacy and global network
- Bridge between traditional and contemporary Islamic thought
🕌 2. International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

📖 Founded: 1983
🌐 Known for: Modern education with Islamic ethics, international diversity

IIUM combines academic excellence with Islamic ethics, offering degrees in everything from law and medicine to Islamic finance and engineering — all taught in English. The campus is a melting pot of over 100 nationalities.

✅ Why It Stands Out:
- Beautiful campus with Islamic architecture
- Strong in Islamic banking, Shariah law, and media studies
- Multicultural and inclusive Islamic environment
🕋 3. Islamic University of Madinah – Saudi Arabia

📖 Founded: 1961
🕌 Known for: Quran, Hadith, Dawah, and Shariah

Located in the blessed city of Madinah, this university is a dream for thousands of students worldwide. It focuses primarily on pure Islamic studies, offering scholarships to non-Saudi students.

✅ Why It Stands Out:
- Fully-funded scholarships
- Proximity to Masjid an-Nabawi ﷺ
- Pure Arabic and Islamic curriculum
🕌 4. Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies – Doha, Qatar

📖 Founded: 2007 (as part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University)
🌐 Known for: Islamic finance, policy studies, modern Islamic thought

Located in Education City, this modern institution offers advanced degrees in Islamic finance, contemporary Fiqh, and religious studies with a global perspective.

✅ Why It Stands Out:
- World-class faculty
- Focus on 21st-century Islamic challenges
- Strong integration of academia and Islamic ethics
📖 5. University of Jordan – Amman, Jordan

📖 Founded: 1962
🌐 Known for: Islamic theology, Arabic studies, comparative religion

Though a general university, it houses one of the most respected Faculties of Shariah in the Arab world, attracting students across the Middle East.

✅ Why It Stands Out:
- Well-established Islamic scholarship programs
- Blends Islamic and secular education
- High regional influence
🕌 6. Jamia Al-Karam – Retford, United Kingdom

📖 Founded: 1985
🌐 Known for: Islamic sciences in the West, youth dawah, Arabic studies

A rare gem in the UK, Jamia Al-Karam offers traditional Islamic education combined with British academic systems. Its graduates are active in dawah and education across Europe.

✅ Why It Stands Out:
- Traditional Deobandi curriculum
- Effective for Western-born Muslims
- Strong alumni influence in UK Islamic centers
🕌 7. Darul Uloom Deoband – India

📖 Founded: 1866
🕌 Known for: Hadith studies, Fiqh, Hanafi jurisprudence

One of the most influential Islamic seminaries in South Asia, it has shaped generations of scholars with its rigorous Dars-e-Nizami curriculum.

✅ Why It Stands Out:
- Focused Islamic learning
- Massive network of affiliated madaris
- Historical influence in India and beyond
🕋 8. Islamic University of Islamabad – Pakistan

📖 Founded: 1980
🌐 Known for: Shariah, Islamic law, education, comparative studies

Backed by the government and Islamic countries, this university is a major center for Islamic and modern disciplines taught side-by-side. It’s particularly known for its Faculty of Usuluddin (Islamic Theology).

✅ Why It Stands Out:
- Multilingual (Arabic, Urdu, English)
- Affordable for students across the Muslim world
- Balanced curriculum
📚 9. Zaytuna College – California, USA

📖 Founded: 2009
🌐 Known for: Liberal arts + Islamic tradition, led by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

The first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the USA, Zaytuna merges Islamic philosophy, logic, and theology with Western academic standards. It’s a model for Islamic scholarship in the West.

✅ Why It Stands Out:
- English-based curriculum
- Groundbreaking fusion of tradition and modernity
- Led by world-respected scholars
🌐 10. Al Quaraouiyine University – Fes, Morocco

📖 Founded: 859 CE
🌐 Known for: Oldest university in the world (UNESCO), Maliki Fiqh

Founded by a woman — Fatima al-Fihri — this institution is recognized as the oldest existing university in the world. It continues to teach Islamic jurisprudence, Arabic grammar, and theology.

✅ Why It Stands Out:
- Historic symbol of Islamic education
- UNESCO-recognized
- Source of pride for Muslims globally
📌 Conclusion:

From Cairo to California, these top Islamic universities reflect the beauty of knowledge in Islam — where learning is not just a career, but a form of worship. Whether you’re seeking traditional Fiqh, Islamic finance, or modern dawah tools, there’s a place for you in the world of Islamic academia.

🕋 Want to Study at One of These Universities?
Comment or message us to get tips on how to apply, scholarship options, and the best fit for your goals — whether it’s Quran, Arabic, or Islamic leadership.
June 25, 2025