This is intended to be a beginning list of traditional places to study Islam and/or Arabic. Suggestions or feedback on one of the locations welcome.

Suggested Locations for Traditional Study of Islam/Arabic

UNITED STATES

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1. Zaytuna Institute:
   
   Probably one of the best places to study in the U.S. Zaytuna has excellent scholars and a beautiful campus. They are trying to establish a full-time alim/alima program as well. Open to brothers and sisters of all ages.

631 Jackson Street, Hayward, CA 94544-1533
Tel: 510-582-1979
Fax: 510-733-5155
http://www.zaytuna.org

2. ZamZam Academy:
   
   Classes are taught by Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera in the Islamic Center of Santa Barbara in California. Classes are also broadcasted over the internet and posted online for those who cannot attend in person.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://zamzamacademy.com/

3. Institute of Islamic Education:
   
   This is a full time brothers and sisters scholar program for 4 years plus a 2 year specialization program afterwards. Unsure of age range.

1048 Bluff City Blvd., Elgin, IL 60120
Tel: 847-695-4685
Fax: 847-695-4806
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.iieonline.org/

Provides a summer Arabic intensive: http://www.iieonline.org/summerschool.html

4. Darul Uloom Al Madania:
   
   Provides various programs for all ages, but seems focused on children. (Hanafi)

82 Sobieski Street, Buffalo, New York 14212-1506
Tel: 716-892-2606 (Mon-Fri, 9AM-12:30PM & 2PM-5PM)
Fax: 716-892-6621
http://www.madania.org/

5. Islamic Academy:
   
   Don't know much about this program, but apparently they have an alim/alima program.

2200 Los Rois Blvd, Suite 130, Plano, TX 75074
Tel: 972-423-2626
http://www.islamicacademy.org

6. The Bayyinah Arabic Studies Institute:
   
   This is an Islamically focused Arabic language center.

49 Applegate Drive, Central Islip, NY 11722
Tel: 516-655-5112 (Mon-Thurs, 9AM-5PM)
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.bayyinah.com/

7. ALIM Program:
   
   The American Learning Institute for Muslims is a program based in Michigan, which offers an overview of many Islamic sciences, and also covers a range of contemporary issues.

364 Belvedere, , MI 48188

General Information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Yusuf Hai - 734-678-3657
Saqib Masood - 734-377-4708

Summer Program: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Hammad Suhaib - 313-595-6851
Fouzia Haq - 816-668-7372 (Registration)

Winter Program: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Haaris Ahmad - 734-652-0345

http://www.alimprogram.com/

CANADA

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1. Shariah Program:
   
   This is an Arabic program. They provide a weekend Arabic course, a summer intensive, and online classes. The summer intensive is grammar focused and probably best for those who have a strong background in Arabic already. Arrangements can be made with local scholars to study Islamic sciences.

6565 Spinnaker Cir., Mississauga, Ontario, L5W 1R2. Canada
Tel: 647-225-2546 or 905-564-3508
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.shariahprogram.ca

UNITED KINGDOM

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1. Ibn Jabal Institute:
   
   This is a full-time Arabic intensive program. Their advanced level delves into Hanafi fiqh.

Located in different cities in the UK
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.ibnjabal.com/

1. Al-Kawthar Academy:
   
   This is where Shaykh Riyadh ul-Haq teaches. Currently provides adult tajweed classes.

62 Gough Road, Leicester LE5 4AN, United Kingdom
PO Box 7773, Leicester LE5 4XY, United Kingdom (Letters)

Best time to call is between 10:00am and 04:30pm (UK time)
Tel: +44-121-773-5191 (International)
Fax: +44-121-773-5191 (International)
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.alkawtharacademy.org

2. Darul Uloom Al-Arabiyya Al-Islamiyya, Bury:
   
   An excellent school for studying traditional knowledge. Takes ages 13-25. (Hanafi)

Tel: +44-1706-826106
Address: 149 Holcombe Old Rd, Holcombe, Bury, BL8 4NG, UK
http://www.inter-islam.org/Pastevents/darululoom.html

3. Darul Uloom Al-Quran:
   
   Provides alim/alima courses as well as hifz courses. Takes students 5-25 years of age.

Baggrave Street, Leicester, United Kingdom
51 Asfordby Street, Leicester, LE5 3QG, United Kingdom (Letters)
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.jameah.co.uk/

4. Islamic Tarbiyah Academy:
   
   Provides a variety of programs, including alim/alima and hifz courses. (Hanafi)

45 Boothroyd Lane, West Town, Dewsbury, W. Yorkshire, WF13 2RB, England, UK.
Tel/Fax: +44-0-1924-450-422
http://www.islamictarbiyah.com/

5. AbuZahra Foundation:
   
   Provides classes in a variety of topics. They run three 10 week semesters within the year, including summer. (Hanafi)

52 Highfield Lane, Keighley, BD21 2EH (Letters)
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: +44-0-1535-663145
http://www.abuzahra.org/

6. Jameah Islameah:
   
   Offiers a variety of programs including an alim/alima program. Admits students ages 16 to 65.

Catts Hill, Mark Cross, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 3NJ
Tel: +01892-853-051
http://www.islamicjameah.org.uk/

EGYPT

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1. Sibawayh Center:
   
   They provide both year round and summer programs. They provide programs for both Arabic and Islamic studies (and fiqh for all 4 madhhabs). They offer tour guide trips around Egypt.

11 Al Jahiz Street, 7th District, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt 11371
Tel: +20-2-24038496
http://www.sibawayhcenter.com/

2. Al-Diwan:
   
   Shaykh Suhaib Webb approves of this program (according to their website). They provides programs in modern standard Arabic, colloquial Egyptian, calligraphy, and Quran memorization.

12 Naguib Mahfooz Street, Off Abbas Al Akaad Street, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
Tel: +00-20-2-2708415
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://aldiwancenter.com/new/index.shtml

3. Fajr Center:
   
   They have programs in modern standard Arabic, colloquial Egyptian, teacher training, and other specialized programs. Financial aid available.

Nasr City Branch: Block 42, Part 3 9th District, 8th Zone Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
Dokki Branch: 3 Rashdan St. from Dokki square beside TNT postal office, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Ma'adi Branch: 63 Al-Nady Street (Al-Arab Square) , New Ma’adi, Cairo, Egypt
US Phone: 703-635-7812
US Fax: 703-635-7311

http://www.fajr.com/

4. Qortoba Institute:
   
   They provide a variety of programs including a Quranic program.

Muhammad Nabeel Hamdy St., off Khalid ibn El-Waleed St
Maiami, Alexandria, Egypt

Tel: +20(3) 556 2959
Mob: 0020(10) 584 3438
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For live questions please try to meet Abu Anas or Sister Jarka on messenger at:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
skype name: Qortoba16
Mob.: 0020(10) 584 3438

Website: http://www.qortoba.net/

5. Al-Azhar University:
   
   This is the oldest and most well-known university in Cairo. It is a university that teaches traditional Islamic knowledge as well as modern sciences. It is good especially for studying Quranic sciences and Arabic. It maintains quarters for foreign students in Abbassieh, Cairo.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.alazhar.org/

MOROCCO

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1. Qalam wa Lawh Language Academy:
   
   This program offers immersion of classical Arabic in 6 or 12 week sessions. They also offer elective class: tajweed, Quran memorization, and calligraphy. Based in Rabat, Morocco, seems to mesh modern tools with traditional principals.

Tel (US): 703-349-1458
Tel (UK): +020-8090-4378
Toll Free: 1-888-344-9842
http://qalam.ma/

2. Arabic Language Insitute in Fez:
   
   Offers 3 and 6 week courses in Classical and Colloquial Arabic. Based in the "intellectual capital" and few remaining medieval cities...whatever that means :)

The Arabic Language Institute in Fez, B.P. 2136, Fez 30000, Morocco
Tel: +212/35-62-48-50
Fax: +212/35-93-16-08
Email: info @alif-fes.com
http://www.alif-fez.com

3. Al-Akhawayn University:
   
   This is a full-fledged University offering English - business classes. The Arabic department is offers semester courses as well as summer intensives:
   
   http://www.aui.ma/VPAA/shss/aranas/shss-aranas-summerprogram.htm

PO Box 104 Hassan II Avenue, 53000 Ifrane, Morocco
Phone: +212-35-86-20-00
Fax: +212-35-56-71-50
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.aui.ma/ (UW exchange)

JORDAN

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1. Qasid:
   
   This is a private institute designed by westerners for westerns. The instruction is divided into Speech and listening and Grammar. They also offer tajweed and private lessons in Al-Kitaab series often taught and tested in western universities. Accommodations are arranged through the institute. They also offer a summer intensive. Very strong in grammar. Fairly comprehensive application and admissions process. They also offfer a summer intensive.

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.qasid.com

2. University of Jordan (Amman):
   
   Not the most Islamic environment, but surrounded by Arabic speakers.

Director, Language Center, University of Jordan, Amman 11942-Jordan
Tel: +00962-6-5355000 ext. 23701, 23707
Fax: +00962-6-5338179
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Foreign Students advisor
Tel. + 00962-6-5355000 ext. 23709
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://ujlc.ju.edu.jo/

3. Yarmouk:
   
   This is a 8-week summer intensive in Irbid, Jordan. It is organized through the University of Virginia. The teachers are faculty members of the Yarmouk University.

http://www.virginia.edu/arabic/Yarmouk.html

YEMEN

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1. Badr Language Institute:
   
   This is a relatively new institute still establishing itself. It is a 10-minute walk away from Dar Al-Mustafa. They have class 6 days a week. Accommodations and food are included in the annual fee. They use Kitab- Assassi for instruction base. Although the actual teaching is not up to par with many other more established institutions, the convenience and overwhelming Islamic environment provide substantial incentive to study here in Tarim; a city of 10- 15 thousand nestled in a canyon.

Tarim, Hadhramowt, Yemen
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.badr.org.uk

2. Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies:
   
   This institute seems promising; providing special attention to each student. It is in the capital of Yemen, Sana'a - which provides a myriad of opportunities to practice your Arabic with locals whom easily speak classical Arabic with foreigners. Sana'a is unique for many reasons, one being that it is one of the last cities in the Middle East where English is not spoken by the locals, allowing you to practice speaking in Arabic without worrying about teaching English.

http://www.ylcint.com/

3. Sana Institute:
   
   The program has been around for over six years. It offers both summer and year-round instruction. It is also nestle in "old Sana'a" in a very central location allowing for convenient travel to various parts of the city.

Old City of Sana'a, P.O Box: 5734, Sana'a Yemen
Tel: +967-1-284-330
Fax: +967-1-284-329
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.sialyemen.com/

4. Dar al-Mustafa:
   
   Dar al-Mustafa is an educational institute established for the study of traditional Islamic Sciences. It was founded in 1414 AH (1993 CE) in the city of Tarim, in the blessed valley of Hadramawt, Yemen. The Dar al-Mustafa campus was officially opened in Dhul-Hijjah, 1417 AH (May, 1997 CE). The prominent teachers are: Habib Umar ibn Hafidh and Habib Ali Jifry; along with many other descendents of the Prophet's lineage. The goals are three: Acquisition of knowledge, purification of one's character, and the dissemination of Islam. It must be said however, that the student schedule is extremely intense, and conditions are drastically different than western standards of housing and eating.
   
   There is an adjacent institute solely for women, name Dar-al Zahra.

http://www.daralmustafa.org

5. Dar al-Mustafa:
   
   A 40 day intensive each summer, for both western men and women. This runs simultaneous with the deen-intensive for Arabs (many from Syria, Jordan and Lebanon). The classes in Arabic are translated and for the most part, accommodations and transportation are pre-arranged by the organizers.

http://www.thedowra.com

SYRIA

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1. Abu Nour:
   
   A large Islamic school located in the Rukn Ad-Deen area of Damascus, which is where the majority of foreign students (at least those studying deen) are located. The biggest benefit is being surrounded by lots of tullab al-'ilm (students of Islamic sacred knowledge), but this can also be a drawback because many students wind up meeting up with other westerners and then speaking too much English. The benefit of being in an Arab country to surround yourself with Arab speakers. The class sizes are big (50 or more), so you can't get much personalized attention, but there's so many students in the area, finding a private tutor for Arabic language, tajweed, and other Islamic sciences shouldn't be difficult. I think they study Kitab Al-Assasiy and/or some of their own books.
   
   Abi Noor is the best bet for a single Muslim sister. That's because it's in the safest environment where she'll find lots of other sisters to help her with everything (housing, studying, etc.), Insha Allah.
   
   Has a lot of different options in terms of degree tracks to do here. They don't really respond to email, so it's really all about calling them. Ustadha Shamira from Zaytuna and Imam Zaid Shakir both studied there as well as many others. Lots of westerners go there, so main thing is to get a good small serious circle and one should be fine. Numerous opportunities of classes with shuyukh in the area. Cheap.

Abu Nour Islamic Foundation, PO Box 7410, Damascus, Syria
Tel: +00-963-11-277-66-53
Fax: +00-963-11-276-49-89

http://www.abunour.net/English/

2. Ma'had Al-Fatih Al-Islami:
   
   The girls school is located in one of the masaajid in Al-Zahirah neighborhood of Damascus and the boys school is in Mantiqah Sina'iyyah (they are within 10 minutes walking distance from each other). There are much fewer foreign students in the area, and very few Westerners (if any). They teach a set of books developed by one of their professors.
   
   Known as the Harvard of the Islamic Universities. Hard to get in, hard to stay in, but has a solid program. Very very Hanafi.

Bilal Mosque: Damascus Airport Roundabout (Hassan al-Kharrat square) Damascus, Syria
PO Box 8440 Damascus
Tel: +963115442699/5429023
Fax: +963115448220
Students Affairs: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Directorate: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.alfatihonline.com/en/index.htm

3. The French Institute (IFEAD):
   
   This is an Orientalist institute. It is very expensive, but has a reputation for having by far the best Arabic-language instruction in Syria.

BP 344, Damascus, Syria
Tel: +963.11.3331962/3334959
Fax: +963.11.3327887

4. Arabesk Studies in Damascus:
   
   This is an organization that helps students come to Damascus for to study Arabic and/or Islamic studies. They can arrange to pick you up at the airport, help you find housing, get you a tutor, get you enrolled in whatever school you want, etc. All of this is for a price, of course. The owner is a practicing Muslim (from what I hear).

http://www.arabeskstudiesindamascus.com/

5. Other:
   
   Its fairly easy to go to Syria and set up private classes with the teachers. Syria is the best place for tajweed and both Abi Nur and Mah'ad al Fath are known for their teachers in fiqh and hadith and lots of their teachers teach smaller classes outside of the school.
   
   
   

INDIA

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1. Nadawt ul-Ulama:
   
   Everything is taught in Urdu, so need both. More open minded, and one will find goodness specifically in Arabic language, Hanafi fiqh, and memorization of the Quran. of Quran

Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, P.O. Box 93, Tagore Marg, Lucknow, U.P.,India
Tel: +91-0522-2741279 (Internet Section)
Tel: +91-0522-2740151 (Guest House)
Tel: +91-0522-2741316 (Nizamat)
Fax: +91-0522-2741221
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.nadwatululama.org/

2. Dar ul-Uloom:
   
   Strong in teaching Ashari aqida, good for fiqh, phenomenal library.

Tel: +91-1336-222429
Fax: +91-1336-222768
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://darululoom-deoband.com/

3. Darul Uloom Falah-e-Darain:
   
   Islamic Education, fiqh, hadith, tajweed, Arabic grammar, in Arabic-Urdu-Persian-English-Gujarati languages. Special in tajweed and Arabic. Daily Prayers.

Madressa Road, Tarkeshwar, Gujarat 394170, India
Tel: +02623-233242 (India)

4. Other:
   
   There is a tarbiya intensive that is just for sisters in central India. Focuses mostly on establishing a good character. Teacher is phenomenal. Only way to go to the program is through contacts and having a mahram drop you off. We have the sisters number for anyone interested.
   
   India has a lot of scholars, especially in northern India, Luknow. One can go there and set up classes, but nothing is formally established.
   
   
   

OTHER

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1. IQRA Institute:
   
   This is an Arabic institute with multiple branches (Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Amman).

http://www.iqrainstitute.com/

2. SunniPath (Online):
   
   Offers online classes (must have high speed internet) that are a mix of live broadcasted sessions as well as recorded lessons. Students are given the opportunity to meet with their highly qualified teachers during officer hours as well. Offers a variety of classes in different topic areas. Most classes take place on the weekends. Cost is reasonable and discounts available for students, MSA officers, and study groups. Highly recommended for those who don't have the time or money to travel.

http://www.sunnipath.com

3. Rihla Deen Intensive:
   
   A very good deen intensive, highly recommended. For the past few years it has been held in Makkah, Taif, and Madinah in Saudia Arabia.

http://www.deen-intensive.com