Accomodation Details

All student accommodations are equipped with very basic furnishings that provide each student with:

• ONE (1) bed
• ONE (1) desk
• ONE (1) chair
• ONE (1) pillow
• ONE (1) pillow cover
• ONE (1) bed sheet
• ONE (1) comforter
• ONE (1) metal locker

 

The age, locality, and nature of current residents make each residential building unique. Depending on the set-up, dormitory rooms are shared between TWO (2), THREE (3), FOUR (4), or SIX (6) students. At present, the university maintains TWO (2) residential buildings off-campus, in which some rooms are designed for ONE (1) student.

Also, there are private washrooms included in a few of the off-campus rooms. Most students, however, must utilize shared washroom facilities.

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Got Rights?

Click the link above to visit the website for Muslim Advocates and watch a short video about the importance of knowing one’s rights as a Muslim living in America. Although the video was originally produced for an American audience, Canadians can also benefit tremendously  insha-Allah.

*NOTE:  Some segments of the video contain music and inappropriate attire.

Academic Calendar

– Beginning of Final Examinations (First Semester):  Saturday, December 29, 2012
 
– Official End of Winter Break: Friday, January 25, 2013
 
– Beginning of Classes (Second Semester) : Saturday, February 2, 2013
 
– Beginning of Spring Break:  Wednesday, March 20, 2013
 
– Official End of Spring Break:  Saturday, March 30, 2013
 
– Beginning of Final Examinations (Second Semester):  Saturday, May 18, 2013

 

Interview Form: Site Navigation

Required Documents: Website Navigation

Conditions of Acceptance: Website Navigation

Ministry of Education: Academic Calendar

For the most up-to-date information, follow the directions given in the video below to navigate through the Saudi Ministry of Education’s website.

To visit the site itself, click here.

Raising Children in Madinah

There are not too many well-structured programs available for children beyond some basic Qur’an and du’aa memorization. A lot of the schooling that is available is really just an overly-glorified babysitting service wherein children play more than anything else.

In the long-run, it would be wise for students to work with their wives to have their children home-schooled based on an International or Western curriculum. Insha-Allah this will allow them to grow academically alongside having the freedom to play and develop Islamically. Also, upon returning to Canada they would be in good standing, overall.

It is also important that children get to interact and play with other children. It may be a good idea for students to allow their kids to play together every so often. Plus, particularly at night-time, there are a lot of children who like to play in the marble courtyard of al-Masjid-an-Nabawi while their parents supervise.

Furthermore, students who are married with children should be aware of the rights their family has on them with regards to their time – with university studies and classes all over the city, some serious internal problems could develop within one’s household. One of the best ways to maintain a strong and healthy family is to maintain a balanced and consistent routine that does not allow too much time for socializing with friends. Of course, that does not mean that one should cut themselves off from social networks altogether – but it does mean that responsible married students should carefully plan when to hang out.

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Pregnancy & Childbirth

Students who bring their wives need not stress too much about the differences between Saudi Arabian health services and the Canadian medical system, especially when it comes to prenatal care and childbirth. Although Canadian hospitals can be better in many ways, it does not necessitate that Saudi hospitals are unsafe. A lot of students express concerns, especially given the way so many other things work in the country. In the end, it is not so bad – there is not much choice in the matter anyways.

In the event of pregnancy, students should be able to find some sort of prenatal care for their wives. In general, babies are delivered quite safely – and the hospital staff are considerably more conscious of gender than in Canada, so you likely do not need to worry about male practitioners being present whilst your wife gives birth.

From a financial perspective, it costs just over THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($300 CAN) to deliver a baby. However, there may be some places that will do it free of charge. Connect with older, married students for more information.

Some students advise one to be extra cautious if the doctor insists on doing a ‘C-Section’ operation because apparently, it has become a type of business in Saudi Arabia. So, unless there is a genuine need for it, do not sign any forms to authorize such a procedure. Of course, if there is a need, then sign the appropriate papers and ask Allah to make it easy for your wife. May Allah have mercy on all of our mothers.

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Opportunities for Women

Unfortunately, the Islamic University of Madinah does not yet have facilities for women.

Nonetheless, there have been serious discussions about establishing a women’s section within the university, much like some of the other institutions in Saudi Arabia have done already. All rumours aside, there is no estimation as to when precisely this project will start, let alone when sisters can start submitting their applications.

Does that mean that women can not live and study in Madinah? Of course they can – but it is not necessarily easy.

A woman who has a mahram studying or working in Madinah are allowed to live with that mahram. This is regardless of whether it be her husband, father, brother, son, or any other type of mahram relationship.  However, in order for this to be legal, she must have a valid visa.

For women who are living in Madinah, there are still plenty of opportunities to seek knowledge. Admittedly, the programs for women are not yet the same as what is available for male students – and from Allah is all help sought. Nonetheless, if you are a woman living with a student (i.e. your husband, brother, father, etc.) then it may be very beneficial for him to teach you on a regular basis. Not only does this bring the family together for a noble purpose, but it also allows everyone in the household to grow at similar rates. It provides the student with an efficient means of revision, thereby solidifying his knowledge whilst fulfilling part of his obligation towards his family with regards to time, education, and protection.

In addition, a number of the classes that are held by the scholars in al-Masjid-an-Nabawi are set up so that sisters can also share in the benefit. To elaborate, sometimes there are microphones connected to speaker systems located in the women’s sections – if not, then many of the lectures are at least audible enough in the men’s section of the mosque for the women to hear. Also, there are small classes held by some of the scholars exclusively for women. There are even some knowledgeable women who dedicate their time to teaching in the sisters’ areas.

Also, women who are legally residing in Madinah with a mahram can apply for Taibah University. It has a separate campus strictly for women focusing on ‘the arts’, which includes some aspects of Islamic studies. It should be noted, however, that there is no initial Arabic program at Taibah, thus applicants should be fluent enough in the language to succeed in the programs available to them.

Apparently, there are some other institutions that also cater to women via one-way video links through which they can see and hear the sheikh.The set-up is unique in the sense that the women can see and hear the lessons – and even ask questions – yet the sheikh can not see them.

Similarly, there are smaller programs in Madinah run by private organizations that are gaining reputation – one of them is called Dar-al-Haafidhaat (دار الحافظات).

Furthermore, it is common for women to visit other knowledgeable sisters in their homes in order to learn from them and benefit one another in general.

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