Jami'at al-Kawthar

Jami'at al-Kawthar

The complex of Jami'at al-Kawthar in Islamabad
General Information
Founder	Al-Imam al-Khoei Benevolent Foundation
Established	2002
Location	Islamabad, Pakistan
Architecture
Website	https://alkauthar.edu.pk

Jami'at al-Kawthar (Arabic: جامعة الکوثر), known as al-Kauthar Islamic University, is one of the scientific and Islamic centers in Pakistan, established by the al-Imam al-Khoei Benevolent Foundation. Operating as a seminary and a charitable institution since its inception, this university is built on a large complex spanning 25,000 square meters, including a Grand Mosque, dormitory, library, and other facilities.

Location and Significance

Jami'at al-Kawthar, also known as al-Kauthar Islamic University, is among the scientific and Islamic centers in Islamabad, Pakistan. Since its establishment, it has operated as a seminary and a charity organization. The construction of this project marked the beginning of a large and integrated Shi'a scientific and cultural project in Pakistan, holding high importance for supporting and disseminating the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) to new generations of Muslims. Attracting talented students, educating them in various sciences using modern methods, and establishing infrastructure for religious education were among the main goals of founding this university. Jami'at al-Kawthar is considered the first specialized Shi'a religious school for higher education in religious sciences in Pakistan.

History

In 2002, al-Kauthar Islamic University was established under the official name of Jami'at al-Kawthar in Islamabad, Pakistan, with a built-up area of over 25,000 square meters. The construction of this university was carried out with the assistance of the al-Imam al-Khoei Benevolent Foundation. During the establishment process, Sayyid Muhammad Taqi al-Khoei and his father, Sayyid Abu l-Qasim al-Khoei, made significant efforts to ensure the university's foundation.

Muhsin Ali Najafi, a Shi'a religious scholar in Pakistan and the representative of Sayyid Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani, is mentioned as the founder of Jami'at al-Kawthar. After its establishment, the management was under Muhsin 'Ali Najafi until he passed away on January 9, 2024. Subsequently, Shaykh Anwar Najafi, the representative of Sayyid 'Ali al-Sistani in Islamabad, took over the management of the university.

The university has hosted festivals such as "Nasim Karbala" (Breeze of Karbala), "Fatima: The Path of Salvation," and the "Global al-Ghadir Festival." Additionally, the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a) intends to build an Imam al-Husayn (a) Cultural and Media Center within this university. The university organizes a series of sessions titled "Fahm-e Deen" (Understanding Religion) throughout Pakistan, preferably in deprived areas. Furthermore, the university maintains scientific and cultural interaction with Imam Sadiq (a) University and the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute. In 2007, the university established the "Hadi TV" satellite channel, which broadcasts scientific programs in Urdu.

Fields of Study

Complex of Jami'at al-Kawthar, Pakistan

The fields of study taught at this university include Fiqh (Jurisprudence), Usul al-Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence), Quranic sciences, Hadith, 'Ilm al-Rijal, and Islamic Theology (Kalam). The students are all natives of Pakistan, although it has been announced that opportunities for foreign students will be provided. Students study in two separate sections for men and women. After completing their studies, they generally migrate to the Najaf Seminary or the Qom Seminary to complete their higher education levels. It is stated that the curriculum at Jami'at al-Kawthar mirrors the curriculum of the seminaries in Najaf and Qom. The university also offers distance learning through direct communication with the seminaries in Qom and other centers.

Facilities and Charitable Activities

Jami'at al-Kawthar utilizes a library with 20,000 volumes, which is open to the public. Within the university grounds, a large mosque named "al-Kawthar Grand Masjid" has been built with a capacity of 2,500 people, featuring modern Islamic architecture. The dome of this mosque is one of the largest mosque domes in Pakistan. The university dormitory is located in a four-story building with a capacity of 350 people. The university publishes a journal titled "Al-Kauthar", which is in Urdu.

Supporting 34 religious schools for boys and girls in various provinces of Pakistan, building over 1,000 mosques, several hospitals, residential complexes for the needy, and other charitable acts for Muslims are among the benevolent activities of the Al-Kauthar Charity Foundation based at this university.