Moroccan Islamic studies school to open

The institute, to open next month, will be devoted to promoting moderate forms of Islam and preparing students to be imams.

ABU DHABI // An Islamic studies institute devoted to promoting moderate forms of Islam and preparing students to be imams will open next month. The school is a branch of Morocco's Université Mohammed V-Agdal, an established centre of Islamic studies that teaches both men and women. It will be based at a temporary campus on Hamdan Street before moving to a permanent location. Students will be able to take a bachelor of arts degree in Islamic studies, and will be expected to speak Arabic, English and French.

Dr Mugheer Khamis al Khaili, the director general of Abu Dhabi Education Council, said he was "delighted" at the agreement to set up the institute. He said the institute would cater to "social and cultural" needs. Students will study the Quran and the Hadith. The Hadith consists of narrations that can be used to improve understanding of the Quran and Islamic law. Twenty-one students, 11 men and 10 women, were selected from 180 applications for the inaugural class.

The University Mohammed V was founded in 1957 and is named after the country's late king. [e-mail]