A Foundation for Islamic Research and Education As an institution, al-Mawrid is a name that symbolizes the effort to redress this problem.
As a legatee of the rich intellectual tradition in Muslim history, al-Mawrid is a unique institution of learning. A deep concern over the dearth of suitable approaches to Islamic learning in our times gave birth to this institution. Lost in the maze of sectarian prejudices and political wrangling, the true message of Islam, based on the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah, has become alien to the Muslims.
The Qur’an, which is the foundation of this religion, is rarely approached for purposes other than oral delivery or rote learning. In the madrasas, those disciplines of learning that were at best a possible means to understanding the Qur’an have become an end in themselves. The Hadith has been isolated from its foundations in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and the primary focus now is on the foundational principles and the emanating discourses of a particular school of thought and on the polemics to establish their superiority over those of others. Therefore, the basic objective of this institution is facilitation and perpetuation of explanatory and research work on the true understanding of Islam, the publication and mass communication of this understanding through all possible means, and augmentation of people’s knowledge and education through its dissemination. Following are the salient features of the modus operandi to achieve this objective:
Well-accomplished researchers and scholars with a sound understanding of religion be attached to al-Mawrid where they do research or academic work either on the basis of assignments given by the institution or on the basis of their own proposals
True understanding of Islam be spread throughout the world through the latest means of mass communication
The general exhortation and admonition of the Qur’an and its approach towards the purification of thought and deeds be converted into such movement as attracts the intelligentsia of the nation to be affiliated with this mission
People be motivated to set up, wherever possible:
institutions of Islamic learning to produce religious scholars and researchers with a true vision and understanding of Islam
schools (up to the intermediate/A levels) to provide students with high quality education and training in an environment where their creativity is encouraged and due attention is given to developing a sound awareness of their religious and cultural heritage
weekend schools to provide students from other schools with instruction in the Qur’an through the Qur’an itself in such manner as enables them to remain committed to their religion from the depth of heart, mind and soul in their later years
religious and spiritual sanctuaries where people can find a break from their worldly and mundane routines to benefit from the company of scholars and pious people, learn religion from them, and focus on worship and prayer to purge their hearts and minds
