The idea of the Imamship programme was first conceived in 2003 between Prof. Zaki M.A. Badawi and Imam Mohammad Shahid Raza, the executive secretary of the Muslim Law Shariah Council UK and the Chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board.
The Muslim College’s Imamship Programme has been designed to train and cultivate skills for Muslims in the civil service and those working in the professional or voluntary sector. It aims to help those who want to serve the British community by augmenting their existing skills and enabling them to give enhanced spiritual advice and services. The programme provides participants with learning opportunities to become receptive to the needs of individuals and the congregation they are serving, maintain a high degree of confidence, and develop pastoral skills for the service of the British community.
The programme comprises of classroom based learning with specialists coming from a broad array of subject. Theological and scholastic studies will take place largely at the Muslim College London and will provide participants of the programme to examine and discuss topic related to the needs and demands of the British community from an Islamic perspective.
In addition to the theoretical component of the course, there will also be opportunities for practical exercises and excursion many of London’s reputable faith and community establishments so that the participants of the programme will have a more hands on approach in what is required from a Muslim faith representative in modern Britain.
A principle component of the programme is to bridge theory and good practices so that the theological, eschatological, interpersonal and spiritual skills they have and will have developed during the course of the programme. Participants will be more confident and better equipped to work in their local communities, looking out for its and the individuals it comprises of with the personal and spiritual care.
Aims & Objectives
The Muslim College Imamship Programme aims to:
- Enable participants to critically appraise the circumstances for spiritual and personal care and good practice;
- Develop knowledge and understanding of professional bodies in the United Kingdom and how to work with then incorporate their facilities and involvement so as to provide the best service to their community;
- Encourage the development of academic and theological rubrics of the Islamic sciences so as to support the delivery of the spiritual and personal advice and guidance to their community;
- Equip participants of the programme with the ability to engage in the advancement of spiritual, moral and personal sentiments within the organisation they are working in or working for;
Each subject (defined in the section entitled ‘Course Content’ is a learning outcome which manifolds into the programme. Participants will therefore increase their knowledge and skill and they complete each component of the programme.
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate areas of knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and attributes such as:
- Providing religious, spiritual, emotional and ethical care in the British tertiary sector;
- Promoting advanced practice by working in collaboration with senior authorities in the work place;
- Preparing a portfolio based on learning and understanding thereby developing higher levels of practice and associations with work colleagues;
Course Structures
The way British Muslim chaplains/Imams are trained is very much dependent upon where they choose to perform their duties. Although the chief responsibility of a Muslim chaplain/Imam is to offer personal and spiritual advice and care, the context within where they are operating very much affects the delivery of their counsel. The Muslim College Imamship programme delivers a comprehensive and holistic training programme that will grant participants all the skills required in Britain’s charities, hospitals, prisons, hospices, universities and mosques fully engaging them with all other departments in the organisation.
Subjects covered in the Imamship Programme include:
- British culture and history.
- Introduction to the major issues of Muslim’s concerns in the light of Fiqh.
- Introduction to the history of Islam and Muslims in Britain.
- Perception of Muslims in the West
- Islam in the Media.
- Major Muslim groups and organisations in Britain.
- Islam and citizenship.
- Defences forces and Imams.
- Madaras/School Management
- Mosque Management: Youth Participation
- Charity Commission: It’s relationship with Muslim organisations.
- Fund-Raising: Techniques and Skills.
- Dispute resolution.
- Marriage and Divorce: Rules and Regulations.
- N.H.S and Imams – (Importance of hygiene in Islam)
- Education in Britain
- Sex Education
- Interfaith in the United Kingdom
- Dawah work in the United Kingdom.
- Public Speaking.
- British Laws affecting Muslims, Mosques and Islamic organisations.
- Prison service and Imams.
- Muslim Women in Britain
- Spirituality, ethics and community building.
- Mental Health and Bereavement Care
- (Advice and Services)
- Immigration Laws and Imams.
- Islam and racism.
- Local councils and working with the Muslim community
- Counselling and Meditation
For more information about the Imamship Programme, contact the course co-ordinator, Moulana Mohammad Shahid Raza.
Click here to download an application form
Click here for a poster of the Imamship Programme
