The first Darul Uloom or institute for higher Islamic studies, in South Africa was the Darul Uloom in Newcastle established on May 13, 1973 on the site of the St. Dominic Academy Church. The founder was a truly remarkable man and a hero of Islam in SA, Moulana Cassim Sema rahmatullahi alaihi.
This was the first institute of its type in the world, offering Islamic religious studies in the English language. It led to the creation of more institutes of this type in SA, UK, and other English-speaking parts of the world. The Darul Uloom offers fulltime hifz classes as well as an Alim course of 6 years teaching Arabic, Hadith, Tafseer, etc. Over 200 Huffaaz and 160 Ulama have qualified thus far.
Ulama who qualify under this system are involved in running Musjids, Muslim Schools, Madrassas, and serve the Muslim community in various capacities. The first Ulama qualified in 1983. Students hail from all over SA as well as USA, Somalia, Australia, Canada, among others.
The founder, Moulana Sema, is renowned for overseeing the world’s first edition of the Zulu translation of the Quran completed in 1980. The translation, which commenced in 1972 took about nine years to complete. He is also a founder member of the Jamiatul Ulama Natal (Council of Muslim Theologians) in 1955, in Pietermaritzburg.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Tel: (034) 317 1612
26 St. Thomas Street, Newcastle, KZN
