Al-Azhar University

Al-Azhar University Al-Azhar University is a natural expansion of the great mosque of Al-Azhar, which was completed in 972 (361 AH) in Cairo, Egypt. It is one of the oldest universities in the world and the most esteemed of Islamic academic institutions. The first lectures were delivered there in 975. While ten thousand students once studied in the Al-Azhar Mosque, today university classes are conducted in adjacent buildings and the mosque is reserved for prayer. The University of Al-Azhar continually promotes intellectual unity among Muslims everywhere in the Islamic world, safeguards its language, and seeks to reform Islam's cultural heritage and illuminate it for the benefit of mankind. Its classical focus has been upon the Quranic sciences, fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and the traditions of the Prophet. This location has tremendous cultural and historical richness for an Arabic immersion language program. This program will take place at the University's facilities in the Medina Nasr area of Cairo. Founding Associates Dr. James E. Jones is former Chair of the Department of World Religions and Associate Professor in the World Religions and African Studies departments at Manhattanville College. An experienced trainer and consultant, he is also visiting Professor - Graduate School of Islamic & Social Sciences (Ashburn VA) where he has trained chaplains for the US armed forces and prisons. Dr. Jones has a BS from Hampton University, a MA from Yale Divinity School and a D.Min. from Hartford Seminary. In 1426/2005 he served as Academic Director of the first summer AL-Azhar U. Intensive Arabic Study Program. Matiniah Yahya M.Ed. has been an educator for over two decades. Her work has included: teaching, training and consulting in public schools and private Islamic schools in the US and abroad as well as recruiting/assessing teachers for overseas Islamic schools. A certified teacher, she has a B.S. in Human Services from Southern New Hampshire University and a Masters in Elementary Education from Wheelock College. In 1426/2005 she served as Project Director of the first-ever summer AL-Azhar Intensive Arabic Study Program.