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IOU-Insights-August-2013-Issue-1.Pdf ISLAMIC ONLINE UNIVERSITY CHANGING THE NATION THROUGH EDUCATION The muslim world’s CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE WHO'S WHO IN IOU? SEEKING THE IOU KNOWLEDGE IS EXPERIENCE WORSHIP ABU AMEENAH CENTRE - MOMBASA the editor’s desk Welcome to the first issue of IOU Insights! he name of the magazine says it all: speaking engagements, course descriptions it is affiliated with the Islamic Online and reviews, the work of our faculty, staff T University and its aim is to provide its and numerous volunteers, and information readers with insights into the Islamic lifestyle. about other educational opportunities and institutions. We also plan to highlight at least The main theme of IOU Insights is ‘ilm, or one person in each issue so that you may get knowledge. Islam is often called “the path to know them better and learn from their of knowledge” because no other religion experiences. or ideology puts so much emphasis on the importance of ‘ilm. I invite you to explore the pages of IOU Insights and e-mail any comments, questions or In the Qur’an, the verses in which ‘ilm or its suggestions to [email protected] (we associated words are used number over 700. will be including letters to the editor in future There are also hundreds of Prophetic traditions issues). Any submissions can be sent to the that encourage Muslims to acquire all kinds of same address. knowledge. As the Chief Editor of IOU Insights, I want to But IOU Insights is not only about acquiring say what an honor and a privilege it is for me knowledge; it is also about application. It helps to work with our amazing staff to make this no one if all we do is learn information. We must magazine a reality. May Allah bless all that we do also learn how to apply that information to our for His sake. daily and eternal lives. Articles on the wonder and majesty of Islam, lessons from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, tips and tools on how to learn, and advice for how to apply what we learn will Ellen Keim be included in every issue. Editor in Chief We will also be reporting on activities associated with the Islamic Online University, and Islamic education in general, including mission trips, MEET THE TEAM YOUR VIEWS Publisher : Dr. Bilal Phillips We would love to you hear from you. Please Managing Director : Ruksana Butt let us know what you liked or would like to Editor in Chief : Ellen Keim see in the magazine. If you have a particular Assistant Editor : Asma Miller piece or feel you can make a valuable Writers : Ismail Kamdar contribution to IOU Insights please email: Maira Mukhtar [email protected] Other Contributors : Asma Miller Advertising & Marketing Director : Hira Adnan Designs & Layout : IOU Graphic Designer Copyright 2013 by IOU Insights. All rights reserved. This publication may contain information which is copyrighted by others. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. IOU Insights reserves the right to reject any advertisement. Readers should verify information directly with advertisers. Writers’ opinions are not necessarily those of IOU Insights. INTRODUCING THE FOUNDER & CHANCELLOR OF IOU WHAT IS IOU? con 4 6 tents I CAN Du’A: STUDY THE WEAPON WHENEVER OF THE BELIEVER DR. BILAL PHILIPS I LIKE... SPEAKS IN HONG KONG 7 8 9 THE THE IMPORtaNCE PaRABLE WORDS OF SEEKING OF THE OF THE ISLAMIC PENCIL KNOWLEDGE PROPHET ABU MUAWIYAH ISMAIL KAMDAR 12 15 16 10 TOP TEN TIPS FOR ISLAMIC STUDENTS IOU OFFERS MONTHLY WEBINARS Abu Ameenah 17 Centre - Mombasa 18 20 INSPIRING THE MUSLIM World’s STORY CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE MIRACLES OF The Qu’rAN IN PSYCHOLOGY & MEDICINE 22 24 26 Leadership THE FINDING MY Webinar for SPIRITUAL GOD HOME SISTERS & YOU ONLY! TOUR 30 32 33 A MAN WITH A MISSION INTRODUCING THE FOUNDER & CHANCELLOR OF IOU 4 Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips was born in Jamaica, but grew up in Canada, where he converted to Islam in 1972. His whole life has been exemplified by his goal of seeking an Islamic education and bringing the same educational opportunities to others. n preparation for this goal, he received his B.A. Dr. Bilal has served as IOU’s Chancellor from the from the College of Islamic Disciplines at the beginning. He travels extensively to bring the Islamic University of Medeena (1979), his M.A. in message of Islam and offer the prospect of Islamic Aqeedah (Islamic Theology) from the King Saud education to the world. So far this year he has IUniversity in Riyadh (1985), and his Ph.D. in Islamic traveled to and spoken to IOU Students and those Theology from the University of Wales (1994). interested in IOU in Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, After graduation from the University of Medeena, Indonesia, Malaysia and Mauritius (see elsewhere in Dr. Bilal spent ten years teaching Islamic studies in this issue for photos and information about some of an Islamic high school in Riyadh, and another ten these events). years lecturing in Arabic and Islamic studies in the American University in Dubai, UAE. Dr. Bilal Philips has also written, translated and commented on over 50 published books on various In 1994 he founded the Islamic Information Center in Islamic topics. He has also edited and published the Dubai (now known as Discover Islam). He has served 56-book Eemaan Reading Series for children and as the head of the Department of Arabic and Islamic presented Islamic programs for a number of years on Studies at Preston University-Ajman, UAE; lecturer Riyadh Channel 2TV, Sharjah TV, Peace TV, Huda TV, and director of the Da’wah and Education at Qatar Islam Channel, UK, and the Deen Show, Chicago, USA. Guest Center, Doha, Qatar; and the founder and head of the English-medium Islamic studies department His vision for the future is to spread the news of Knowledge International University, the College about IOU all over the world. To accomplish this of Da’wah and Islamic Culture (English Section) at goal he relies heavily on volunteers and donations. Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan, and Preston Everywhere he goes he encourages people to search International College in Chennai, India. He is currently their hearts for ways that they can contribute to this the Chancellor of the Islamic Studies Academy in worthy cause. Doha. IOU needs representatives and liaisons in every But perhaps his greatest achievement, and the corner of the world. It can use donations of one for which he was listed in the Jordanian computers and Internet access (some people are publication, The 500 Most Influential Muslims (rissc. meeting in group classes around one computer!) and jo/muslim500v-1L.pdf ), is the founding of Islamic people who are willing to tutor prospective students Online University. Unlike the other educational in English (all the classes, except for advanced Arabic programs he has founded and overseen, IOU makes courses, are taught in English). And now that it has it possible for any person from any location in the launched its online magazine, IOU Insights, it can also world to receive an Islamic education absolutely free. use people with computer, editing, and writing skills to make it a success. IOU has been in the making for over a decade. It originally opened in 2001, but had to shut down for But most of all Dr. Bilal needs others who share his technological restructuring. It reopened in 2007 vision to help spread the word about IOU. Anyone with its free diploma program and introduced who has a blog, a Facebook or Twitter account, its fully accredited tuition-free Bachelor’s access to masjids and Islamic organizations, and program (BAIS) in 2010 (See “What is writing and speaking skills can tell others about IOU?” for more information). Beginning in this unprecedented opportunity to learn about our the Spring 2013 semester, in preparation Creator and the Islamic way of life. for the opening of the Master’s program May Allah be with Dr. Bilal, the faculty and the staff of (MAIS), the “Higher Diploma” opened IOU as well as everyone who contributes in any way which is the bridge between a BA/BSc in to the growth of IOU’s programs as they carry out other than Islamic Studies to the MAIS. this important work. (Ellen Keim) 5 YOU MAY KNOW WHat IS IOU? he Islamic Online University (IOU) is the first accredited university in the world to offer tuition-free Bachelor’s degrees in Islamic Studies (BAIS) completely online. In addition, it Toffers a diploma in Islamic Studies, which is also free. The idea for IOU came from Dr. Bilal Philips, present chancellor of the university, who has been instrumental in establishing and heading many other Islamic Studies programs in the UAE, the Philippines, Sudan, India, and Qatar. Seeing a need for the world-wide spread of Islamic education and the possibilities inherent in the Internet, he fused the two and started IOU in 2001. After technical difficulties and an interlude of five years, the diploma program was reinstated in 2007 with an enrollment of 1500 students. It now has 100,000 students from 217 countries on the planet. The BAIS program, which began in 2010, has 30,041 registered students from 190 countries. The Free General Diploma Program The BAIS Program Most of the general diploma courses have The BAIS program has recorded audio and video downloadable audio and video lectures lectures and weekly live tutorial classes in a as well as a pdf text. The general diploma virtual classroom setting on the Internet.
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