Malappuram: The first convocation of the off-campus programme of Ma’din Academy was successfully held in Leicester, a spokesman for the academy said on Wednesday. The Academy offers one-year diploma in family enrichment and social ethics in the United Kingdom under its Ma’din Home Sciences Centre. Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleelul Bukhari, chairman of the Academy, conferred certificates to 20 candidates, both professionals and students including doctors, opticians, teachers and lawyers.
“This course managed by Oadby and Wigston Muslim Association, was the first of its kind being taught in the city of Leicester & Leicestershire,” said Umar Melmuri, director, Ma’din Academy of Research and International Studies. “The programme caters to the needs of new generation students, living in European atmosphere where the interpersonal problems and divorce rates are relatively high,” he said on phone from London.
The special program was developed by a group of experts under the supervision of Dr Irfan Al Alawi, Kings College, University of London, on the basis of Imam Al Gazzali’s Ihya Ulum Al Din’s concept of Adab an-Nikah or the proper conduct of marriage in Islam. Imam Al Ghazzali, or Algazel to westerners, was a great medieval Persian theologian, jurist and philosopher who has 70 titles to his credit explaining Islamic philosophy and theology.
“One should study life according to Islam, preserve its sacred traditions and etiquettes, explain aims and purposes according to the Muslim way of life while respecting the English legal system,” Sayyid Bukhari said in his address.
The course covers topics such as benefits of marriage and its challenges, selection of the spouse, rules of married life, relations between husband and wife, childbirth, raising children and the importance of Islamic and western education, mutual obligations of spouses, divorce and domestic violence.
“The subject of marriage discussed here is surely of particular interest and importance to Muslims and non-Muslims alike,” said Al Alawi.
