THE COLLEGES
The Darul Uloom consists of a Boys' College at Rashaad Avenue, Mon Plasir Road, Cunupia and a Girls' College at Cunupia Street, Southern Main Road, Cunupia. Both institutions offer full-time and part-time tuition and have facilities for boarding.
At present, full-time enrolment at the Boys' College is 112 of which 32 are resident on the compound. This includes foreigners from United States of America, Dominica, Guyana, Columbia, St. Lucia and Canada. Enrolment in the part-time classes is approximately 250. There are 30 members of staff at the Boys’ College.
The present enrolment at the Darul Uloom Girls’ College is 109 of which 39 are boarding. This includes foreigners. There are 27 members of staff.
At Darul Uloom, in addition to concentrating on Islamic and Academic education, great emphasis is placed on Islamic morals and values.
In public schools where lewdness, crimes and violence are commonplace, our Institute offers a stable environment where values like discipline, good conduct and morals are entwined within the curriculum, so that our graduates will be able to face the moral and spiritual challenges of our society.
THE COURSES OFFERED
Full-time Secondary Programme (Five years)
This programme is offered to students who have completed a primary school education. A comprehensive secular and Islamic syllabus is taught up to O' Level. Subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Computer Studies, Social Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Principles of Business, Principles of Accounts, Arabic Language, Islamic Jurisprudence, Islamic Beliefs, Islamic History, Quraanic Studies, Hadith Studies, Translation of Quraan and Hadith and Intonation and Memorization of the Holy Quraan.
Eight-Year Aalim Programme (Full-time)
Upon the successful completion of the five-year programme, students can continue for a further three years in order to complete a B.A. degree course (Aalim). This further three-year programme consists of extensive studies in Hadith, Tafseer, Fiqh, Balaagha, Mirath (Islamic Inheritance), Seerah, Islamic History, Usool of Hadith, Usool of Fiqh and Usool of Tafseer. A’ level subjects are also offered along with the programme.
Five-Year Aalim Programme (Full-time)
This programme is offered to students who have a desire to study only Islamic studies after successfully completing their academic studies elsewhere. It culminates in the award of the B.A. degree in Islamic Studies (Aalim).
Al Faadhil Associate Degree Programme
This is an Associate Degree Programme, which has been introduced at Darul Uloom on a part-time basis. It is an extensive course in higher Islamic Studies (such as Tafseer, Hadith and Islamic Law) culminating in an Associate degree in Islamic Studies called the Al Faadhil Associate Degree.
Hifdh Course
This is a programme where students can fulfill their desire of memorizing the entire Holy Quraan. They are guided through the memorization of the entire Quraan by qualified teachers, thus earning the title of Hafidh of the Quraan.
Tajweed and Qaari Course
This is a special course in which students are taught to recite the Holy Quraan in the best possible manner with all its rules and regulations. Students are tutored by qualified Qurra of the Holy Quraan and upon successful completion can also qualify as Qurra.
Part-time Programmes
Many programmes such as Arabic Language, Tajweed, Quraanic Reading, Hadith Studies, Commentary of the Holy Quraan and Laws of Shariah etc. are offered to the public during the academic year at both the Boys' and Girls' Colleges.
BOARDING FACILITIES
One of the unique features of the Boys' and Girls' Colleges is the boarding facilities which is offered to both foreign and local students.
Students who stay on the compound are able to remain in an Islamic environment which ensures five times Salaah etc. Local students stay from Monday to Friday and meals, dormitory and washing facilities are provided. Limited space is available, especially in the Girls' College so applications should be made early.
OTHER SERVICES
Marriage Counselling
The Islamic Laws relating to marriage may be complicated. The Darul Uloom offers specialized counselling for those brothers and sisters who may have problems in their marriage.
This counselling is done in a private manner and all information is treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Halaal Committee
In order to verify the authenticity of meat and food products which are available for consumption, the Darul Uloom has brought together experts in the Islamic and academic fields who are able to investigate and determine which foods meet the criteria of Halaal. Many companies have been certified. It is hoped that these efforts will allow all Muslims to identify and consume halaal foods only. This is a service which is in need not only locally but throughout the Caribbean. And a great amount of work is presently being done in this area.
Moon Sighting Committee
Sighting of the moon is a critical part of a Muslim’s daily life as it affects his religious observances. The Darul Uloom has therefore organized a moon-sighting committee called the Darul Uloom Moon Committee, which communicates with several sub-committees throughout the country and with reputable Islamic organizations and Hilaal committees in the region. Based on information received, the Darul Uloom is able to pronounce the beginning of each Islamic Lunar Month and significant observances throughout the year. This has so far been a great benefit to the entire Muslim population and has gone a long way in fostering unity among the various jamaats and groups in our nation.
Counselling
The Darul Uloom offers all types of counseling from an Islamic perspective. Our Ulamaa are willing to meet and discuss with members of the public the many social and behavioural problems that occur in our society. Some areas of counseling include parent-child relationship, drug and alcohol abuse, suicidal tendencies, domestic violence, property ownership, disagreements etc. Islam has a solution to all of our problems, if only we are able to understand the laws of the Quraan and the teachings of our noble Prophet (S.A.).
DARUL IFTAA
Department of Islamic Religious Verdicts
The Darul lftaa is the department of Islamic Religious Verdicts which issues Fatwas (religious verdicts) to the Muslim community at large.
This department has been formed since the initial stages of the Darul Uloom in 1984 and is under the continuous supervision of Darul Uloom Sabeelur Rashaad, Bangalore, India and the Institute of Islamic Jurisprudence, Bradford, England.
The department provides a facility to the public in research and response by answering questions on different aspects of the religion of Islam, such as beliefs, worship, commerce, inheritance, rights, marriage and divorce, custody of children, distribution of property and many other questions and problems which Muslims are confronted with. All answers are given in accordance with the teachings of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jama’ah and are properly researched by our trained personnel. Muslims are assured that answers from the Darul Iftaa are in accordance with the true and correct teachings of Islam.
CONCLUSION
Today we can see the need for sound knowledge and discipline for our youths and we must carefully decide in whose hands this responsibility is placed. The best knowledge is the knowledge of Islam and the best guidance is the guidance of Allah. As such, we must with urgency, embrace the opportunities for ourselves and our children to learn the religion of Allah and ways of His Prophet, so that we can earn His pleasure. Finally, we are encouraged to support the activities of the Darul Uloom and contribute financially and otherwise towards the continuation of its many programmes and courses.
