IPSA Vision 2020
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Transcript of IPSA Vision 2020
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“IPSA VISION 2020” STRATEGIC FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN
IPSA School of Graduate Studies
and
Shatibi Chair of Maqasid Studies
I N T E R N A T I O N A L P E A C E C O L L E G E S O U T H A F R I C A
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Contents
1 INTERNATIONAL PEACE COLLEGE SOUTH AFRICA................................................. 4
1.1 Background .................................................................................................................. 4
1.2 Vision and Mission ........................................................................................................ 5
1.3 Values........................................................................................................................... 5
1.4 Value Proposition ......................................................................................................... 6
2 THE LONG ROAD TRAVERSED ..................................................................................... 9
3 The early years ................................................................................................................... 10
4 Towards Accreditation ....................................................................................................... 13
5 Consolidating 10 years of service ........................................................................................ 14
6 NAVIGATING THE ROAD AHEAD ............................................................................... 17
6.1 Governance and organisational structure .................................................................... 21
7 TAKING THE FIRST STEPS .......................................................................................... 25
8 Funding and Sustainability ................................................................................................ 26
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1 INTERNATIONAL PEACE COLLEGE SOUTH AFRICA 1.1 Background
In 2005 the International Peace College South
Africa (IPSA), celebrated its inauguration at
an historic occasion of a joint graduation of
merging partners - the former Islamic College
Southern Africa (ICOSA) and the Darul
Arqam Islamic Institute.
Today, ten years later, IPSA is the first and
only Islamic institution registered by the
Department of Higher Education and
Training (DHET) in South Africa offering
accredited programmes, a BA and Higher
Certificate in Islamic Studies.
Since its inception, IPSA has taken an active
interest in the development of Islamic
Scholarship and Research at a national level.
Its commitment in this area is demonstrated
by the range of programmes it offers, these
include:
The Higher Certificate in Islamic
Studies,
Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies, and
Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in
Islamic Studies.
In addition to this, IPSA also conducts
numerous public programmes and engages in
on-going efforts to develop new relevant
academic offerings serving society in general
and the Muslim community in particular.
IPSA is launching a special Chair and the
School of Maqasid Studies to meet the
growing demand for authentic research and
post graduate programmes within the Muslim
community.
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1.2 Vision and Mission
Our Vision
To build International Peace College South Africa as the leading Centre of Islamic
education which:
contributes to revitalizing the intellectual and spiritual dynamism of the
Muslim Community as exemplified by the Qur’anic principle of wasatiyyah
(the middle-way) and demonstrated in a rich legacy of scholarship spanning
more than 1400 years;
promotes the authentic and historically grounded expression of Islam in South
Africa - a heritage which comprises more than 350 years of integration to
context whilst consciously mitigating the perils of assimilation and isolation;
and
prepares students and academics to play a meaningful and catalytic role in
contributing towards the creation of a just social order in South Africa and the
world.
Mission
To produce scholars, intellectuals and leaders who combine the qualities of faith,
good character and knowledge in their learning, teaching and research in an
environment that fosters tolerance and appreciation for diversity, intercultural
understanding and civilizational dialogue.
1.3 Values
The values of the institution are embedded in the following:
Knowledge: create an environment that promotes and
encourages the generation of knowledge and scholastic
research that is focused on contributing to the improvement
of the quality of life of communities and nations through
mutual respect.
Virtues: promote education and scholastic research across
disciplines and discourses which add value to the fostering
and protection of the dignity of humanity and respect that
ensures equity and reduce discrimination in all aspects.
Civilization: promote scholastic and practical research and publications that contribute to the
development of good governance and global citizenship that permeates tolerance through
collective understanding and communication.
Knowledge for the quality of
life
Virtues
that preserve and promote
dignity
Civilization that promotes
global citizenship
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1.4 Value Proposition
Islamic education: offer education
programmes in Islamic studies which are
contemporary, current and relevant to
addressing the individual, community and
social challenges at a personal, temporal and
spiritual level.
Scholastic and research: develop a culture
of research in the field of Islam that
contribute to academic discourse and the
improvement of societal challenges through
its practical and implementable nature.
Research output and publications: promote
quality research output and publications
internationally which have positive impact on
enhancing traditional and contemporary
studies in the field of Islam and the global
citizenship of communities and nations.
Instrument of societal change: apply the
research output as a catalyst to address socio-
economic concerns of communities and
nations in order to develop an environment
that is conducive for changing the conditions
of humanity and promote peace and co-
existence.
Thought leadership: promote research that
contributes to the alleviation of attitudes and
behaviours towards religious beliefs and
extremism through the development of a
balanced intellectual interaction and
discourse.
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Individual and society
develop its history through the
interaction of three social
categories: the realm of things or
objects (‘alam al-ashya‘), the realm
of persons (‘alam al-ashkhas) and
the realm of ideas (‘alam al-afkar).
To develop culture and civilization,
we need to move from realm of
things to the realm of ideas.
Ideas are the most important
aspect in creating culture and
civilization.
Bennabi, Malik. ‘On the Origin of Human Society’.
London: The Open Press. 1998
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2 THE LONG ROAD TRAVERSED
2005 was a momentous year in the educational development of the Muslims in the Cape when the
International Peace College SA was established. Two prominent educational institutions took a
bold step in the direction of Ukhuwwah and as an act of unity unparalleled in our history
inaugurated an institution of Higher learning which would serve the practical needs of the
community and its academic aspirations.
The new beginning of an integration of management systems, administration, academic infra-
structure, human and financial resources culminated in the birth of a vibrant Faculty of Islamic
Studies and IPSA’s establishment as a Section 21 company. At the helm of IPSA were Chancellor
of the College, Premier Ebrahim Rasool; Mawlana Ahmad Mukkadam in the capacity of Rector;
Shaykh Ighsaan Taliep as Vice Rector and the Registrar was the late Dr Salie Abrahams.
In 2007, Dr Salie Abrahams articulated IPSA’s role and trajectory as:
“a growing institution contributing in fundamental ways to enhance
academic opportunities and contribute the intellectual growth of the
community.” (IPSA Annual Report 2008)
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3 THE EARLY YEARS
Guided by this, in the formative years of its establishment, many local and international scholars
and academics came to pay homage through a number of seminars presented at IPSA which
included:
Islam and education in South Africa, by Dr Azzam Tamimi;
Learning and Teaching, by the Vice Chancellor of Gloucester University, Dame Janet
Trotter;
Youth and Citizenship, by Professor Helen Haste of Harvard University;
Muslim Minorities and Political Participation, by Anas Al-Tikriti of the Cordoba Institute;
Knowledge and the Age of the Sound Byte, by Awatief Daniels;
Multiple Communities: Muslim Identity in post-Apartheid SA, by Shamil Jeppie; and
Islam as a Universal Civilisation by Shaykh Seraj Hendricks.
By 2008, the library was expanded with generous donations from the Shah Mahomed Trust and a
full range of publications from the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT). Three, more
collections were bequeathed to IPSA from the Shaheed Carelse memorial collection; the Shaykh
Abubakr Najaar collection and the Sedick Samodien collection.
Dr Abdul Karim Toffar was deployed as Dean for the Faculty of Islamic Studies which offered an
array of study options, both formal and non-formal such as:
A certificate in Practical Islam;
A certificate in Islamic Studies;
A diploma in Islamic studies ;
A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Islamic studies; and
A Masters in Comparative Laws degree which was the product of collaboration between
IPSA and the International Islamic University of Malaysia.
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The panel of Academic staff included Mrs Zubeida Abderouf Coe, Dr Hoosain Ebrahim, Shaykh
Mahdi Hendricks, Shaykh Ebrahim Moos, Shaykh Ganief Kamaar, Dr Ahmed Abdul Malik,
Shaykh Fakhrudien Owaisi, Shaykh Nazeem Taliep, Shaykh Dawood Terblanche, Professor
Yasin Mohamed and Professor Yasin Dutton and student enrolment had increased to 200 that
year.
At this stage the Institute of Current Islam (ISCI) had officially been launched under the
Directorship of Dr Auwais Rafudeen who was responsible for research and publications.
IPSA also conducted two major workshops that year, titled – South African Muslim Political
Involvement: Thinking long term and Muslim Religious Leadership and Political engagement in
South Africa as well as two seminars partnered with Islamic Education Scientific Cultural
Organisation (ISESCO).
In 2009, IPSA offered its 1st Spring Symposium – Extremism, dissecting a phenomenon and a visit
from prominent scholars from the IIU Malaysia participating in Masters in Comparative Laws
which was a collaborative project between the two institutions. Scholars included Professor M
Hashim Kamalie; Professor Rusni Hasan; Professor Othman Awang and academics from South
African universities.
IPSA’s 2nd Spring Symposium – Muslims and the media in SA: beyond headlines, hype and
conspiracy ensued in 2010. That year IPSA was also graced by a visit from Habib Umar bin Hafiz
from Yemen who is also a member of the Supreme Advisory Council for Tabah Foundation in
Abu Dhabi.
In 2011, Shaykh M Ighsaan Taliep was appointed as the Principal of the International Peace
College SA having been with IPSA since 2005, and playing a role in its transition phase and
future development.
Cape Town also welcomed two Syrian scholars and religious leaders –
Shaykh Muhamad Yaqubi and Shaykh Muhamad bin Yayha al Ninowy,
who visited IPSA to deliver a series of lectures. The 3rd Annual Spring
Symposium of that year addressed the topic: Charting the middle way
in Islam today.
In the year 2012, ISCI celebrated its 10th issue of the IPSA Journal of
Islamic studies showcasing its peer reviewed articles and
also entertained a delegation of the World Association of
Al Azhar Graduates headed by Professor Abdel Dayem
Nusear, Vice President of
Al Azhar University.
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IPSA’s 4th Spring Symposium was a great success tackling – Wassatiyah – Depth, Flexibility and
Diversity: the hallmarks of the Middle Way in Islam. Dr Abdulhamid Al Qudah from Jordan
conducted a youth workshop towards an HIV cure. Dr Al-Qudah is the Executive Director of the
Project for protecting Youth from sexually transmitted diseases and Aids in the Middle East and
North Africa.
4 Towards Accreditation
Becoming a registered and accredited institution of Higher Learning was a strategic objective of
the College since its inception. This was not an easy road to travel, it took the sacrifice and efforts
of many individuals to realise this goal. Alhamdulillah, in 2013 the institution celebrated its
Provisional Accreditation awarded by the Department of Higher Education and Training
(DHET). At its Launch Gala, the audience was addressed by Minister of Higher Education, Dr
Blade Nzimandi and other guests included leaders of the government, business and civil society
and a large contingent of diplomatic corps from all over the world.
2013 also ushered in IPSA’s home-grown Ramadhan text reading programme on Abdullah bin
Qadi Abul Salam (Tuan Guru) by visiting lecturer Shaykh Seraj Hendricks and hosted its
inaugural Women in Islam Women in South Africa symposium (WIWISA) with speakers the likes
of women academics and scholars. IPSA’s 5th Annual Spring Symposium discussed Dealing with
Sectarianism: a Middle way reflection.
In 2014, Dr Jasser Auda, presented a series of seminars on Maqasid al-Shari’ah to tertiary Islamic
Studies students and scholars, Ulama, Muslim Marriage Officers (MMO) and the general public.
His topics included: Beginners guide to Maqasid; Maqasid for social justice within a secular
legislative framework; evaluating tensions between Islamic Law and Democracy; and Freedom for the
Freedom from Religion. His books were also made available on sale.
IPSA held Arabic Teacher Training workshops from ISESCO showcasing modern methodologies in
pedagogy to lecturers and teachers. An Environmental Justice Seminar – Fiqh al Bi’ah fil Islam,
with a range of different speakers was hosted at IPSA with live feed from Dr Mustafa Abu Sway
from al Quds University. During 2014 IPSA also hosted another seminar with WIWISA titled –
Muslim Marriages Bill: Mapping the Ongoing Socio-Ethical-Legal Challenges for Women.
In its on-going effort to improve standard and quality systems IPSA regularly conducted
Capacity Building workshops for IPSA faculty and staff members. 2014, also witnessed a new
course that was designed for IPSA’s Higher Certificate in Islamic Studies (HCIS). The Global
Leadership and Life Orientation (GLO) course was explicitly designed to enhance the HCIS
programme by applying the Islamic Studies subjects taught to “lived experience” and engage
youth in social consciousness projects, stewardship roles and discover their Allah-given potential.
Over the ten years IPSA has enrolled close to a thousand students, Alhamdulillah. The campus is
a hub of activities all week as well as weekends with non-formal madrassah classes; teacher
training programmes; matric support programmes and students doing stewardship in the gardens
of IPSA or participating in Art and expression workshops as well as Community Outreach
programmes.
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5 Consolidating 10 years of service
This year 2015, IPSA was blessed with another visit from Dr Jasser Auda who together with
Ambassador Dr. Ebrahim Rasool presented IPSA’s Colloquium – Understandings of Khilafa –
examining current geopolitical complexities in the Muslim world: Exploring a Middle way response
and hosted intensive Ulama training workshops – Strategising for the future. IPSA presented a
number Symposia – 2nd Annual Environmental Justice in Islam seminar; and others throughout
the year.
By 2015 the National Student records database of the Department of Higher Education and
Training is showing close to a thousand students that have enrolled at the college since 2005 for
the BA in Islamic Studies and the Higher Certificate in Islamic Studies alone. Whilst 533 BA
degrees and Higher certificates have been issued up to and including 2014, Alhamdulillah. In
addition to these numbers an even larger number of students graduated from IPSA and its
formative partners through a wide range of non-formal Islamic studies programmes.
On the 1st of October, IPSA applied for the first ever post graduate programme by an Islamic
institution to the DHET for the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Islamic studies (BAHIS).
In the beginning of November, the Centre for Higher Education sent two evaluators to review
IPSA’s current education programmes and evaluate IPSA’s institutional systems and programme
management. IPSA was awarded an extension of its provisional registration to offer its Higher
Certificate in Islamic Studies and Bachelor of Art in Islamic Studies degree insha’Allah.
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6 NAVIGATING THE ROAD AHEAD
The world is facing unprecedented challenges and upheaval across communities
and nations, at all levels. From political instability to economic uncertainty; from social crisis
to moral decay - the world that the 21st century individual experiences is in constant flux and
uncertainty.
Since the beginning of this century, the Muslim world has been in a state of uninterrupted war,
the Arab Spring amplified this instability. During the past twenty years Islam has experienced
unprecedented exodus of Muslims from its homelands to the West. At the same time there is a
global increase in interest in Islam as a moral compass as evidenced by the Pew reports figures
on the growth of Islam in the west.
Furthermore almost every single western University has in the past decade initiated academic
programmes and research geared to the study of Islam. Globally there has been great interest in
the study of Islam as a civilization, its past contributions and scientific inventiveness as well
as philosophical and sociological contributions. IPSA is perfectly positioned both locally and
internationally and enjoys a unique advantage as a locus to provide an invaluable contribution
as a:
REPOSITORY of knowledge,
TRANSMITTER of knowledge
INTERPRETTER of knowledge
PRODUCER of knowledge,
REPRODUCER of knowledge, as well as
CONTEXTUALIZER of knowledge
“Starting 2016, IPSA will enter a new
phase on its trajectory as a provider of
quality higher education that serves the
intellectual needs of the Muslim community
at both grassroots and academic levels,
locally and internationally.”
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The Islamic Peace College SA, recognising that Islam has much to offer the world in all spheres of
human endeavour and existence, has made a strategic decision to establish a robust, high quality
School of Graduate Studies as well as to increase its research capacity to a world class standard.
In line with this decision, IPSA is embarking on a five-year strategic development plan called
“IPSA Vision 2020” that will include the establishment of a School of Graduate Studies that
offers fully accredited programmes. It will also establish the Shatibi Chair in Maqasid Studies in
January 2016 which will serve as an international area of focussed research in Applied Islamic
Law. Towards the end of 2016 IPSA will convene an International Convention focussing on
Maqasid as-Shariah that will also coincide with the launch of the School of Maqasid studies.
Starting 2016, IPSA will be entering a new phase on its trajectory as a provider of quality higher
education that serves the needs of the Muslim community both locally and internationally. It is
launching its very first post graduate programme - the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Islamic
studies (BAHIS).
The College has secured an impressive panel of international scholars and academics as well as
qualified local scholars that will serve as faculty on the BAHIS programme. This programme is
the first and only option for South African Muslims to study Islam at a post graduate level at an
Islamic institution of Higher Learning, taught by highly qualified Muslim scholars and professors
of international note.
“IPSA Vis
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The focus of the BAHIS programme will be to develop the methodology, framework and research
skills required for further post graduate study at masters level. IPSAs educational philosophy
and approach is one that is firmly rooted in Qurán, Hadith, and the rich history of fifteen hundred
years of traditional scholarship, whilst it will essentially focus a contemporary and future
orientation over an historical orientation. It will emphasise a holistic approach over simplicity,
moral values over literalism, a multi-dimension approach over binarism, re-construction over
deconstruction and purposes and principles over rules.
IPSA is currently in the process of developing its submission to the Higher Education
Qualification Committee within the Centre for Higher Education for accreditation of a Masters
Degree in Islamic Thought (MAIT). This Masters programme will be offered at IPSA beginning
2017, insh’Allah. Through the MAIT programme IPSA will encourage the field of Maqasid as-
Shariah as an approach to the study and research of the contemporary issues facing Muslims and
humanity at large.
Globally the International Peace College SA is perfectly positioned to offer the BAHIS and MAIT
programmes and to serve as the international seat of research in Maqasid studies given its vision,
history, geography, scholars, students, facilities and community.
Furthermore, the educational environment of South Africa created through the principles of its
Constitution coupled with the policies and regulations governing the quality of educational
programmes and service delivery in the education sector is conducive for the paradigm shift in
Islamic studies through the implementation of the maqasid approach.
ion 2020’’
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The objectives of the IPSA academic offerings are:
Foundation programme: objective is to develop
the academic skills of the students in order to meet
the minimum admission requirements.
Undergraduate degrees: objective is to develop
the academic and knowledge competencies of the
students.
Honours degrees: objective is to develop the
technical and critical thinking competence of the
students underpinned by ability to analyse and
synthesise current conditions in the context of the
maqasid al-shariah framework.
Master’s qualification: objective is to develop the
research and publication competence of the students
in the field of Islamic studies using the maqasid
approach to solve challenges encountered by
individuals, communities and nations.
The research strategy and outcomes are as follows:
Research focus: the research focus is in the field of
Islamic Thought that is contemporary and relevant
in addressing the social concerns of justice, poverty,
transformation and discrimination.
Research value: research output must be practical
and implementable in dealing with the social,
political and economic ills of society.
Research relevance: research must promote the
principles and methodology underpinning the
philosophy and relevance of maqasid al-shariah.
During 2013 IPSA took a decision to establish a
research centre in applied Islamic law. Pursuant hereto
IPSA has entered in a strategic dialogue with Dr Jasser
Auda towards establishing the Shatibi Chair of Maqasid
Studies during 2016.
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6.1 Governance and organisational structure
BOARD of IPSA
Post graduate studies
Chair of Maqasid Studies
Research Centre
Publications
Stakeholder management
Undergraduate studies
Dean of graduate studies
Programme management
Programme accreditation
Programme review
Student administration
Registrar
Student admission
Student registration
Student performance
Finance
CFO
Financial management
Financial accounting
Financial reporting
Risk management
Risk officer
Compliance management
Risk management
Governance
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Sh Ihsan Taliep Dr AK Toffar Sh F Owaisi Sh D Terblanche
Sh. N Taliep Sh I Londt Sh O Chariffe Sh. E Moos
Dr MH Ebrahiem Sh F Latief Sh M Abderouf Sh Safwan
Sh D Baba M Kamalie Y Jacobs A Shabudien
N Patel Ml E Yaghya Sh I Frieslaar W Hendricks
Academic Staff
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N Taliep G Abdullah
I Samodien S Taliep L McCauly M Kriel
Andile Uncle Enoch S Arendse G Khan
Administrative & Support Staff
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7 TAKING THE FIRST STEPS
The following is the short term implementation plan for the project:
PHASE 1: IMPLEMENTATION OF HONOURS PROGRAMME
Implement the Honours Programme with effect from January 2016
Obtain accreditation of Honours Programme from SAQA
PHASE 2: ESTABLISHMENT OF CHAIR FOR MAQASID STUDIES
Develop the infrastructure for Chair 2015
Appointment of Chair – January 2016
Development of Master programme – January 2016
Application for accreditation of Masters programme – April 2016
Enrolment and Registration of students the for Masters
programme – February 2017
PHASE 3: HOSTING OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION/CONFERENCE
Planning of convention – April/May 2016
Call for papers and review of papers – June/July 2016
Convention and Launching of School – November 2016
PHASE 4: ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL OF MAQASID STUDIES
Develop the infrastructure for school – November 2016
Recruitment and appointment of staff – January 2017
Develop strategic document for global research centre 2017
8 Funding and Sustainability
The School is managed by the Dean of Graduate Studies at IPSA. Administrative staff,
classrooms and office space are made available at IPSA, and a special account is created for
managing donated funds/endowments, student fees, faculty compensations, research grants and
student scholarships.
The following funding is required for the establishment of the School of Graduate Studies:
NATURE UTILIZATION ZAR
Foundation Phase For the development of the infrastructure of
the School of Graduate, the appointment of
the Chair of Maqasid Studies and seed funding
for the operating costs in its initial 2 years.
15,000,000
Permanent Sustainbility
Endowment fund
For the establishment and development of the
SGS and the Research Centre for Maqasid
Studies, research journal and the
infrastructure and expansion of the School.
35,000,000
Conference and Launch For hosting an International conference of
Maqasid Studies in Cape Town and the official
launch of the School of Maqasid Studies
1,000,000
TOTAL FUNDING 51,000,000
The grant fund will fund the first 4 years of the establishment of the School of Graduate Studies
as well as the Shatibi Chair of Maqasid Studies. To ensure the effective and smooth function of the
operations of the School it is preferable if the grant can be provided in full at the beginning of the
first years or equal instalments at the beginning of each of the 4 years.
The endowment fund will be used and managed as an investment fund for the development and
expansion of the School, The capital amount received will be repaid at the end of 10th year after
the investment in the endowment Fund. It is preferable if the endowment fund can be received in
2016 on the occasion of the establishment of the School.
The following are the milestones of the implementation of the proposal:
Establishment of the Chair for Maqasid studies – primary responsibility for promoting
scholastic research and publications
Accreditation of the Honours and Masters qualification – recognition and articulation within the
educational framework of South Africa
Hosting a Convention with a theme on maqasid al-shariah – hosting a convention promoting the
school and research in the field
Launch of the School of Maqasid Studies – establish the school as the global centre for studies in
maqasid al-shariah
Produce research publications and articles in international journals – develop graded researchers
through peer reviewed publications