Endowments to support research into legacy of legendary scholars | The Jordan Times

Endowments to support research into legacy of legendary scholars

by Mohammad Ghazal | Jan 25,2012 | 23:34

His Majesty King Abdullah greets Muslim scholars during a ceremony to launch two waqfs for integral chairs to study the legacy of Imam Al Ghazali and Imam Fakhr Al Din Al Razi, at the Royal Court in Amman on Tuesday (Photo by Yousef Allan)

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday attended a ceremony to announce the launch of two waqfs for integral chairs to study the legacy of Imam Al Ghazali and Imam Fakhr Al Din Al Razi.

Waqf is an Islamic term referring to an inalienable religious endowment, like donating a building for religious or charitable purposes.

The two waqfs were announced at the Royal Court yesterday in the presence of the Monarch, several Royal family members and Muslim scholars from across the Islamic world on the occasion of His Majesty’s birthday, which falls January 30.

The two waqfs were launched to revive the tradition of waqf and its pioneering educational role upon an initiative by the Royal Aal al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought.

The first waqf, the King Abdullah Ben Al Hussein Waqf for the Integral Chair for the Study of Imam Abu Hamid Al Ghazali’s Work at the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque and Al Quds University, entails establishing an integral chair to teach the work and thought of the 12th century scholar, who, according to www.ghazali.org, is one of the great jurists, theologians and mystics in Islamic history. He wrote on a wide range of topics including jurisprudence, theology, mysticism and philosophy.

The endowment also entails establishing the King Abdullah II Ben Al Hussein Prize for the Study of Imam Al Ghazali’s Scholarly Legacy and offering a number of scholarships at Al Aqsa Mosque and Al Quds University to study under the chair.

A total of JD2 million was endowed to fulfil the purposes of this project and was deposited in the Islamic International Arab Bank, which is committed to investing the amount and its returns.

The second is called the King Abdullah Ben Al Hussein Waqf for the Integral Chair for the study of Imam Fakhr Al Din Al Razi’s works at the King Hussein Ben Talal Mosque, the University of Jordan and the World Islamic Sciences and Education University (WISE).

According to Muslimphilosophy.com, Iman Al Razi was one of the outstanding figures in Islamic theology. Living in the second half of the sixth century Hijri (12th century AD), he also wrote on history, grammar, rhetoric, literature, law, the natural sciences and philosophy, and composed one of the major works of Koranic exegesis.

The waqf aims to serve Islamic thought and Islamic studies through establishing an integral chair at the King Hussein Ben Talal Mosque, the University of Jordan and the WISE to teach the work and thought of the imam.

It also entails establishing the King Abdullah II Ben Al Hussein Prize for the Study of Imam Al Razi’s Scholarly Legacy and offering a number of scholarships at the King Hussein Ben Talal Mosque, the University of Jordan and WISE to study under Al Razi Chair.

A sum of JD2 million will be deposited in the Arab Islamic Bank in a charitable investment account for this waqf. The bank will invest the endowed amount and its returns, according to Abdul Nasser Abu Al Basal, president of WISE.

Commenting on the two waqfs, Royal Aal al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought Director General Minwer Mheid stressed their importance in enhancing Islamic thought, legacy and research, adding that they will help support scholars in this regard.

In his remarks at the event where the plan was announced, head of Al Quds Waqf Council Sheikh Abdel Azeem Salhab voiced appreciation for the Monarch for launching the two waqfs, stressing their importance in supporting researchers in the field of Islamic studies.

He referred to the King’s relentless efforts in defending Jerusalem and the sacred sites in the city, noting that the two waqfs will support Islamic thought and enrich the Islamic civilisation.

Al Quds University President Sari Nusaibah, who echoed similar remarks, said the two waqfs will help revive religious sciences in the holy city of Jerusalem, which is direly in need for support at all levels.

For his part, University of Jordan President Adel Tweisi said the two waqfs will enhance the Ummah’s position in standing up to intellectual threats it is facing.

“This is a great initiative that will help showcase the bright image of Islam and it will enhance the intellectual security for the Ummah and protect it from any intellectual threat,” said Tweisi, stressing the importance of the two waqfs in supporting scientific research.

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