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“IPSA VISION 2020” STRATEGIC FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

IPSA School of Graduate Studies

and

Shatibi Chair of Maqasid Studies

I N T E R N A T I O N A L P E A C E C O L L E G E S O U T H A F R I C A

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Contents

1 INTERNATIONAL PEACE COLLEGE SOUTH AFRICA................................................. 4

1.1 Background .................................................................................................................. 4

1.2 Vision and Mission ........................................................................................................ 5

1.3 Values........................................................................................................................... 5

1.4 Value Proposition ......................................................................................................... 6

2 THE LONG ROAD TRAVERSED ..................................................................................... 9

3 The early years ................................................................................................................... 10

4 Towards Accreditation ....................................................................................................... 13

5 Consolidating 10 years of service ........................................................................................ 14

6 NAVIGATING THE ROAD AHEAD ............................................................................... 17

6.1 Governance and organisational structure .................................................................... 21

7 TAKING THE FIRST STEPS .......................................................................................... 25

8 Funding and Sustainability ................................................................................................ 26

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1 INTERNATIONAL PEACE COLLEGE SOUTH AFRICA 1.1 Background

In 2005 the International Peace College South

Africa (IPSA), celebrated its inauguration at

an historic occasion of a joint graduation of

merging partners - the former Islamic College

Southern Africa (ICOSA) and the Darul

Arqam Islamic Institute.

Today, ten years later, IPSA is the first and

only Islamic institution registered by the

Department of Higher Education and

Training (DHET) in South Africa offering

accredited programmes, a BA and Higher

Certificate in Islamic Studies.

Since its inception, IPSA has taken an active

interest in the development of Islamic

Scholarship and Research at a national level.

Its commitment in this area is demonstrated

by the range of programmes it offers, these

include:

The Higher Certificate in Islamic

Studies,

Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies, and

Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in

Islamic Studies.

In addition to this, IPSA also conducts

numerous public programmes and engages in

on-going efforts to develop new relevant

academic offerings serving society in general

and the Muslim community in particular.

IPSA is launching a special Chair and the

School of Maqasid Studies to meet the

growing demand for authentic research and

post graduate programmes within the Muslim

community.

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1.2 Vision and Mission

Our Vision

To build International Peace College South Africa as the leading Centre of Islamic

education which:

contributes to revitalizing the intellectual and spiritual dynamism of the

Muslim Community as exemplified by the Qur’anic principle of wasatiyyah

(the middle-way) and demonstrated in a rich legacy of scholarship spanning

more than 1400 years;

promotes the authentic and historically grounded expression of Islam in South

Africa - a heritage which comprises more than 350 years of integration to

context whilst consciously mitigating the perils of assimilation and isolation;

and

prepares students and academics to play a meaningful and catalytic role in

contributing towards the creation of a just social order in South Africa and the

world.

Mission

To produce scholars, intellectuals and leaders who combine the qualities of faith,

good character and knowledge in their learning, teaching and research in an

environment that fosters tolerance and appreciation for diversity, intercultural

understanding and civilizational dialogue.

1.3 Values

The values of the institution are embedded in the following:

Knowledge: create an environment that promotes and

encourages the generation of knowledge and scholastic

research that is focused on contributing to the improvement

of the quality of life of communities and nations through

mutual respect.

Virtues: promote education and scholastic research across

disciplines and discourses which add value to the fostering

and protection of the dignity of humanity and respect that

ensures equity and reduce discrimination in all aspects.

Civilization: promote scholastic and practical research and publications that contribute to the

development of good governance and global citizenship that permeates tolerance through

collective understanding and communication.

Knowledge for the quality of

life

Virtues

that preserve and promote

dignity

Civilization that promotes

global citizenship

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1.4 Value Proposition

Islamic education: offer education

programmes in Islamic studies which are

contemporary, current and relevant to

addressing the individual, community and

social challenges at a personal, temporal and

spiritual level.

Scholastic and research: develop a culture

of research in the field of Islam that

contribute to academic discourse and the

improvement of societal challenges through

its practical and implementable nature.

Research output and publications: promote

quality research output and publications

internationally which have positive impact on

enhancing traditional and contemporary

studies in the field of Islam and the global

citizenship of communities and nations.

Instrument of societal change: apply the

research output as a catalyst to address socio-

economic concerns of communities and

nations in order to develop an environment

that is conducive for changing the conditions

of humanity and promote peace and co-

existence.

Thought leadership: promote research that

contributes to the alleviation of attitudes and

behaviours towards religious beliefs and

extremism through the development of a

balanced intellectual interaction and

discourse.

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Individual and society

develop its history through the

interaction of three social

categories: the realm of things or

objects (‘alam al-ashya‘), the realm

of persons (‘alam al-ashkhas) and

the realm of ideas (‘alam al-afkar).

To develop culture and civilization,

we need to move from realm of

things to the realm of ideas.

Ideas are the most important

aspect in creating culture and

civilization.

Bennabi, Malik. ‘On the Origin of Human Society’.

London: The Open Press. 1998

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2 THE LONG ROAD TRAVERSED

2005 was a momentous year in the educational development of the Muslims in the Cape when the

International Peace College SA was established. Two prominent educational institutions took a

bold step in the direction of Ukhuwwah and as an act of unity unparalleled in our history

inaugurated an institution of Higher learning which would serve the practical needs of the

community and its academic aspirations.

The new beginning of an integration of management systems, administration, academic infra-

structure, human and financial resources culminated in the birth of a vibrant Faculty of Islamic

Studies and IPSA’s establishment as a Section 21 company. At the helm of IPSA were Chancellor

of the College, Premier Ebrahim Rasool; Mawlana Ahmad Mukkadam in the capacity of Rector;

Shaykh Ighsaan Taliep as Vice Rector and the Registrar was the late Dr Salie Abrahams.

In 2007, Dr Salie Abrahams articulated IPSA’s role and trajectory as:

“a growing institution contributing in fundamental ways to enhance

academic opportunities and contribute the intellectual growth of the

community.” (IPSA Annual Report 2008)

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3 THE EARLY YEARS

Guided by this, in the formative years of its establishment, many local and international scholars

and academics came to pay homage through a number of seminars presented at IPSA which

included:

Islam and education in South Africa, by Dr Azzam Tamimi;

Learning and Teaching, by the Vice Chancellor of Gloucester University, Dame Janet

Trotter;

Youth and Citizenship, by Professor Helen Haste of Harvard University;

Muslim Minorities and Political Participation, by Anas Al-Tikriti of the Cordoba Institute;

Knowledge and the Age of the Sound Byte, by Awatief Daniels;

Multiple Communities: Muslim Identity in post-Apartheid SA, by Shamil Jeppie; and

Islam as a Universal Civilisation by Shaykh Seraj Hendricks.

By 2008, the library was expanded with generous donations from the Shah Mahomed Trust and a

full range of publications from the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT). Three, more

collections were bequeathed to IPSA from the Shaheed Carelse memorial collection; the Shaykh

Abubakr Najaar collection and the Sedick Samodien collection.

Dr Abdul Karim Toffar was deployed as Dean for the Faculty of Islamic Studies which offered an

array of study options, both formal and non-formal such as:

A certificate in Practical Islam;

A certificate in Islamic Studies;

A diploma in Islamic studies ;

A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Islamic studies; and

A Masters in Comparative Laws degree which was the product of collaboration between

IPSA and the International Islamic University of Malaysia.

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The panel of Academic staff included Mrs Zubeida Abderouf Coe, Dr Hoosain Ebrahim, Shaykh

Mahdi Hendricks, Shaykh Ebrahim Moos, Shaykh Ganief Kamaar, Dr Ahmed Abdul Malik,

Shaykh Fakhrudien Owaisi, Shaykh Nazeem Taliep, Shaykh Dawood Terblanche, Professor

Yasin Mohamed and Professor Yasin Dutton and student enrolment had increased to 200 that

year.

At this stage the Institute of Current Islam (ISCI) had officially been launched under the

Directorship of Dr Auwais Rafudeen who was responsible for research and publications.

IPSA also conducted two major workshops that year, titled – South African Muslim Political

Involvement: Thinking long term and Muslim Religious Leadership and Political engagement in

South Africa as well as two seminars partnered with Islamic Education Scientific Cultural

Organisation (ISESCO).

In 2009, IPSA offered its 1st Spring Symposium – Extremism, dissecting a phenomenon and a visit

from prominent scholars from the IIU Malaysia participating in Masters in Comparative Laws

which was a collaborative project between the two institutions. Scholars included Professor M

Hashim Kamalie; Professor Rusni Hasan; Professor Othman Awang and academics from South

African universities.

IPSA’s 2nd Spring Symposium – Muslims and the media in SA: beyond headlines, hype and

conspiracy ensued in 2010. That year IPSA was also graced by a visit from Habib Umar bin Hafiz

from Yemen who is also a member of the Supreme Advisory Council for Tabah Foundation in

Abu Dhabi.

In 2011, Shaykh M Ighsaan Taliep was appointed as the Principal of the International Peace

College SA having been with IPSA since 2005, and playing a role in its transition phase and

future development.

Cape Town also welcomed two Syrian scholars and religious leaders –

Shaykh Muhamad Yaqubi and Shaykh Muhamad bin Yayha al Ninowy,

who visited IPSA to deliver a series of lectures. The 3rd Annual Spring

Symposium of that year addressed the topic: Charting the middle way

in Islam today.

In the year 2012, ISCI celebrated its 10th issue of the IPSA Journal of

Islamic studies showcasing its peer reviewed articles and

also entertained a delegation of the World Association of

Al Azhar Graduates headed by Professor Abdel Dayem

Nusear, Vice President of

Al Azhar University.

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IPSA’s 4th Spring Symposium was a great success tackling – Wassatiyah – Depth, Flexibility and

Diversity: the hallmarks of the Middle Way in Islam. Dr Abdulhamid Al Qudah from Jordan

conducted a youth workshop towards an HIV cure. Dr Al-Qudah is the Executive Director of the

Project for protecting Youth from sexually transmitted diseases and Aids in the Middle East and

North Africa.

4 Towards Accreditation

Becoming a registered and accredited institution of Higher Learning was a strategic objective of

the College since its inception. This was not an easy road to travel, it took the sacrifice and efforts

of many individuals to realise this goal. Alhamdulillah, in 2013 the institution celebrated its

Provisional Accreditation awarded by the Department of Higher Education and Training

(DHET). At its Launch Gala, the audience was addressed by Minister of Higher Education, Dr

Blade Nzimandi and other guests included leaders of the government, business and civil society

and a large contingent of diplomatic corps from all over the world.

2013 also ushered in IPSA’s home-grown Ramadhan text reading programme on Abdullah bin

Qadi Abul Salam (Tuan Guru) by visiting lecturer Shaykh Seraj Hendricks and hosted its

inaugural Women in Islam Women in South Africa symposium (WIWISA) with speakers the likes

of women academics and scholars. IPSA’s 5th Annual Spring Symposium discussed Dealing with

Sectarianism: a Middle way reflection.

In 2014, Dr Jasser Auda, presented a series of seminars on Maqasid al-Shari’ah to tertiary Islamic

Studies students and scholars, Ulama, Muslim Marriage Officers (MMO) and the general public.

His topics included: Beginners guide to Maqasid; Maqasid for social justice within a secular

legislative framework; evaluating tensions between Islamic Law and Democracy; and Freedom for the

Freedom from Religion. His books were also made available on sale.

IPSA held Arabic Teacher Training workshops from ISESCO showcasing modern methodologies in

pedagogy to lecturers and teachers. An Environmental Justice Seminar – Fiqh al Bi’ah fil Islam,

with a range of different speakers was hosted at IPSA with live feed from Dr Mustafa Abu Sway

from al Quds University. During 2014 IPSA also hosted another seminar with WIWISA titled –

Muslim Marriages Bill: Mapping the Ongoing Socio-Ethical-Legal Challenges for Women.

In its on-going effort to improve standard and quality systems IPSA regularly conducted

Capacity Building workshops for IPSA faculty and staff members. 2014, also witnessed a new

course that was designed for IPSA’s Higher Certificate in Islamic Studies (HCIS). The Global

Leadership and Life Orientation (GLO) course was explicitly designed to enhance the HCIS

programme by applying the Islamic Studies subjects taught to “lived experience” and engage

youth in social consciousness projects, stewardship roles and discover their Allah-given potential.

Over the ten years IPSA has enrolled close to a thousand students, Alhamdulillah. The campus is

a hub of activities all week as well as weekends with non-formal madrassah classes; teacher

training programmes; matric support programmes and students doing stewardship in the gardens

of IPSA or participating in Art and expression workshops as well as Community Outreach

programmes.

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5 Consolidating 10 years of service

This year 2015, IPSA was blessed with another visit from Dr Jasser Auda who together with

Ambassador Dr. Ebrahim Rasool presented IPSA’s Colloquium – Understandings of Khilafa –

examining current geopolitical complexities in the Muslim world: Exploring a Middle way response

and hosted intensive Ulama training workshops – Strategising for the future. IPSA presented a

number Symposia – 2nd Annual Environmental Justice in Islam seminar; and others throughout

the year.

By 2015 the National Student records database of the Department of Higher Education and

Training is showing close to a thousand students that have enrolled at the college since 2005 for

the BA in Islamic Studies and the Higher Certificate in Islamic Studies alone. Whilst 533 BA

degrees and Higher certificates have been issued up to and including 2014, Alhamdulillah. In

addition to these numbers an even larger number of students graduated from IPSA and its

formative partners through a wide range of non-formal Islamic studies programmes.

On the 1st of October, IPSA applied for the first ever post graduate programme by an Islamic

institution to the DHET for the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Islamic studies (BAHIS).

In the beginning of November, the Centre for Higher Education sent two evaluators to review

IPSA’s current education programmes and evaluate IPSA’s institutional systems and programme

management. IPSA was awarded an extension of its provisional registration to offer its Higher

Certificate in Islamic Studies and Bachelor of Art in Islamic Studies degree insha’Allah.

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6 NAVIGATING THE ROAD AHEAD

The world is facing unprecedented challenges and upheaval across communities

and nations, at all levels. From political instability to economic uncertainty; from social crisis

to moral decay - the world that the 21st century individual experiences is in constant flux and

uncertainty.

Since the beginning of this century, the Muslim world has been in a state of uninterrupted war,

the Arab Spring amplified this instability. During the past twenty years Islam has experienced

unprecedented exodus of Muslims from its homelands to the West. At the same time there is a

global increase in interest in Islam as a moral compass as evidenced by the Pew reports figures

on the growth of Islam in the west.

Furthermore almost every single western University has in the past decade initiated academic

programmes and research geared to the study of Islam. Globally there has been great interest in

the study of Islam as a civilization, its past contributions and scientific inventiveness as well

as philosophical and sociological contributions. IPSA is perfectly positioned both locally and

internationally and enjoys a unique advantage as a locus to provide an invaluable contribution

as a:

REPOSITORY of knowledge,

TRANSMITTER of knowledge

INTERPRETTER of knowledge

PRODUCER of knowledge,

REPRODUCER of knowledge, as well as

CONTEXTUALIZER of knowledge

“Starting 2016, IPSA will enter a new

phase on its trajectory as a provider of

quality higher education that serves the

intellectual needs of the Muslim community

at both grassroots and academic levels,

locally and internationally.”

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The Islamic Peace College SA, recognising that Islam has much to offer the world in all spheres of

human endeavour and existence, has made a strategic decision to establish a robust, high quality

School of Graduate Studies as well as to increase its research capacity to a world class standard.

In line with this decision, IPSA is embarking on a five-year strategic development plan called

“IPSA Vision 2020” that will include the establishment of a School of Graduate Studies that

offers fully accredited programmes. It will also establish the Shatibi Chair in Maqasid Studies in

January 2016 which will serve as an international area of focussed research in Applied Islamic

Law. Towards the end of 2016 IPSA will convene an International Convention focussing on

Maqasid as-Shariah that will also coincide with the launch of the School of Maqasid studies.

Starting 2016, IPSA will be entering a new phase on its trajectory as a provider of quality higher

education that serves the needs of the Muslim community both locally and internationally. It is

launching its very first post graduate programme - the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Islamic

studies (BAHIS).

The College has secured an impressive panel of international scholars and academics as well as

qualified local scholars that will serve as faculty on the BAHIS programme. This programme is

the first and only option for South African Muslims to study Islam at a post graduate level at an

Islamic institution of Higher Learning, taught by highly qualified Muslim scholars and professors

of international note.

“IPSA Vis

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The focus of the BAHIS programme will be to develop the methodology, framework and research

skills required for further post graduate study at masters level. IPSAs educational philosophy

and approach is one that is firmly rooted in Qurán, Hadith, and the rich history of fifteen hundred

years of traditional scholarship, whilst it will essentially focus a contemporary and future

orientation over an historical orientation. It will emphasise a holistic approach over simplicity,

moral values over literalism, a multi-dimension approach over binarism, re-construction over

deconstruction and purposes and principles over rules.

IPSA is currently in the process of developing its submission to the Higher Education

Qualification Committee within the Centre for Higher Education for accreditation of a Masters

Degree in Islamic Thought (MAIT). This Masters programme will be offered at IPSA beginning

2017, insh’Allah. Through the MAIT programme IPSA will encourage the field of Maqasid as-

Shariah as an approach to the study and research of the contemporary issues facing Muslims and

humanity at large.

Globally the International Peace College SA is perfectly positioned to offer the BAHIS and MAIT

programmes and to serve as the international seat of research in Maqasid studies given its vision,

history, geography, scholars, students, facilities and community.

Furthermore, the educational environment of South Africa created through the principles of its

Constitution coupled with the policies and regulations governing the quality of educational

programmes and service delivery in the education sector is conducive for the paradigm shift in

Islamic studies through the implementation of the maqasid approach.

ion 2020’’

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The objectives of the IPSA academic offerings are:

Foundation programme: objective is to develop

the academic skills of the students in order to meet

the minimum admission requirements.

Undergraduate degrees: objective is to develop

the academic and knowledge competencies of the

students.

Honours degrees: objective is to develop the

technical and critical thinking competence of the

students underpinned by ability to analyse and

synthesise current conditions in the context of the

maqasid al-shariah framework.

Master’s qualification: objective is to develop the

research and publication competence of the students

in the field of Islamic studies using the maqasid

approach to solve challenges encountered by

individuals, communities and nations.

The research strategy and outcomes are as follows:

Research focus: the research focus is in the field of

Islamic Thought that is contemporary and relevant

in addressing the social concerns of justice, poverty,

transformation and discrimination.

Research value: research output must be practical

and implementable in dealing with the social,

political and economic ills of society.

Research relevance: research must promote the

principles and methodology underpinning the

philosophy and relevance of maqasid al-shariah.

During 2013 IPSA took a decision to establish a

research centre in applied Islamic law. Pursuant hereto

IPSA has entered in a strategic dialogue with Dr Jasser

Auda towards establishing the Shatibi Chair of Maqasid

Studies during 2016.

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6.1 Governance and organisational structure

BOARD of IPSA

Post graduate studies

Chair of Maqasid Studies

Research Centre

Publications

Stakeholder management

Undergraduate studies

Dean of graduate studies

Programme management

Programme accreditation

Programme review

Student administration

Registrar

Student admission

Student registration

Student performance

Finance

CFO

Financial management

Financial accounting

Financial reporting

Risk management

Risk officer

Compliance management

Risk management

Governance

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Sh Ihsan Taliep Dr AK Toffar Sh F Owaisi Sh D Terblanche

Sh. N Taliep Sh I Londt Sh O Chariffe Sh. E Moos

Dr MH Ebrahiem Sh F Latief Sh M Abderouf Sh Safwan

Sh D Baba M Kamalie Y Jacobs A Shabudien

N Patel Ml E Yaghya Sh I Frieslaar W Hendricks

Academic Staff

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N Taliep G Abdullah

I Samodien S Taliep L McCauly M Kriel

Andile Uncle Enoch S Arendse G Khan

Administrative & Support Staff

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7 TAKING THE FIRST STEPS

The following is the short term implementation plan for the project:

PHASE 1: IMPLEMENTATION OF HONOURS PROGRAMME

Implement the Honours Programme with effect from January 2016

Obtain accreditation of Honours Programme from SAQA

PHASE 2: ESTABLISHMENT OF CHAIR FOR MAQASID STUDIES

Develop the infrastructure for Chair 2015

Appointment of Chair – January 2016

Development of Master programme – January 2016

Application for accreditation of Masters programme – April 2016

Enrolment and Registration of students the for Masters

programme – February 2017

PHASE 3: HOSTING OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION/CONFERENCE

Planning of convention – April/May 2016

Call for papers and review of papers – June/July 2016

Convention and Launching of School – November 2016

PHASE 4: ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL OF MAQASID STUDIES

Develop the infrastructure for school – November 2016

Recruitment and appointment of staff – January 2017

Develop strategic document for global research centre 2017

8 Funding and Sustainability

The School is managed by the Dean of Graduate Studies at IPSA. Administrative staff,

classrooms and office space are made available at IPSA, and a special account is created for

managing donated funds/endowments, student fees, faculty compensations, research grants and

student scholarships.

The following funding is required for the establishment of the School of Graduate Studies:

NATURE UTILIZATION ZAR

Foundation Phase For the development of the infrastructure of

the School of Graduate, the appointment of

the Chair of Maqasid Studies and seed funding

for the operating costs in its initial 2 years.

15,000,000

Permanent Sustainbility

Endowment fund

For the establishment and development of the

SGS and the Research Centre for Maqasid

Studies, research journal and the

infrastructure and expansion of the School.

35,000,000

Conference and Launch For hosting an International conference of

Maqasid Studies in Cape Town and the official

launch of the School of Maqasid Studies

1,000,000

TOTAL FUNDING 51,000,000

The grant fund will fund the first 4 years of the establishment of the School of Graduate Studies

as well as the Shatibi Chair of Maqasid Studies. To ensure the effective and smooth function of the

operations of the School it is preferable if the grant can be provided in full at the beginning of the

first years or equal instalments at the beginning of each of the 4 years.

The endowment fund will be used and managed as an investment fund for the development and

expansion of the School, The capital amount received will be repaid at the end of 10th year after

the investment in the endowment Fund. It is preferable if the endowment fund can be received in

2016 on the occasion of the establishment of the School.

The following are the milestones of the implementation of the proposal:

Establishment of the Chair for Maqasid studies – primary responsibility for promoting

scholastic research and publications

Accreditation of the Honours and Masters qualification – recognition and articulation within the

educational framework of South Africa

Hosting a Convention with a theme on maqasid al-shariah – hosting a convention promoting the

school and research in the field

Launch of the School of Maqasid Studies – establish the school as the global centre for studies in

maqasid al-shariah

Produce research publications and articles in international journals – develop graded researchers

through peer reviewed publications

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