Latest news with #IslamicStudies
Mint
5 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Israel makes Islam, Arabic studies mandatory for intel officers: Here's why
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has announced sweeping changes to its intelligence training, making Arabic language and Islamic Studies mandatory for all its officers in the wing. The changes come in response to an intelligence failure that occurred around October 7, 2023, the IDF confirmed to Jewish News Syndicate. The long-term goal is for future commanders to be fluent in Arabic and well-versed in Islamic culture, significantly strengthening their analytical capabilities — instilling in them 'doubt and deep observation,' as per officials. 'We cannot turn the soldiers and officers of the Intelligence Division into Arab children who grew up in the village, but through studying the language and culture, we can instill in them doubt and deep observation,' a senior Israeli intelligence official said, reported JNS. According to The Jerusalem Post, the Islamic intelligence research staff will now be expected to attain proficiency in Arabic as part of their basic training. This is the first time that soldiers in technical and cyber roles will undergo training in Arabic and Islamic Studies. By the end of next year, 100 per cent of AMAN (the Hebrew acronym for Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate) personnel will be trained in Islamic Studies and 50 per cent of them will undergo Arabic language training. The Tel-M section, which promoted Arabic and Middle Eastern studies in Israeli schools and was closed six years ago, will be revived under Unit 8200 of the Israel military intelligence. The change has been ordered by AMAN chief - Major General Shlomi Binder. The new courses will also focus on the Houthi and Iraqi Arabic dialects, addressing operational challenges in understanding regional communications. Teachers from relevant backgrounds have been recruited to ensure authentic instruction of the same, reported JNS. Previously, training in Arabic language and Islamic Studies was not compulsory for intelligence units, and was largely limited to translators or field operatives. According to a research article by Taylor and Francis titled 'Military intelligence and the securitization of Arabic proficiency in Israel: the limits of influence and the curse of unintended consequences,' in 1986, a military-led unit was formed to promote Arabic instruction in schools, but it was dissolved in 2001 amid budget cuts.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Why Israel wants its military intelligence to study Islam and learn Arabic
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has made it mandatory for all soldiers and officers in the intelligence unit to undergo training in Arabic and Islamic Studies. The decision comes after major intelligence failures linked to the events of October 7, 2023. The programme will also include lessons in Houthi and Iraqi dialects read more The IDF's Intelligence Directorate is making major changes to its Arabic and Islamic Studies training. Reuters/File Photo The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has made it compulsory for every soldier and officer in the intelligence unit to be trained in Arabic and Islamic Studies. By the end of next year, all members of AMAN, which is the Hebrew short form for Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate, will be trained in Islamic Studies. Half of them will also receive training in Arabic. ALSO READ | '1 in 5 children in Gaza City is malnourished': Where's the food aid? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This decision has been issued by AMAN head Major General Shlomi Binder. But why has the order been issued? Let's find out: Why Israel made Arabic, Islam studies mandatory for military The IDF's Intelligence Directorate is making major changes to its Arabic and Islamic Studies training, The Jerusalem Post reported. The move comes after major intelligence setbacks linked to the events of October 7, 2023. The aim is to make future commanders fluent in Arabic and knowledgeable about Islamic culture, helping them analyse situations more effectively. Speaking to the newspaper, Doron Kadosh, the military correspondent for Israel's Army Radio, said a new department will be set up to focus on Arabic and Islam teaching. The aim is to help language analysts better understand local variations and cultural subtleties. Reuters/File Photo The training will also cover the Houthi and Iraqi dialects. As part of the changes, the army also plans to restart the Telem. Notably, this programme previously supported Arabic and Middle Eastern education in Israeli middle and high schools but was closed six years ago due to funding issues. Its closure caused a sharp fall in Arabic learning. Telem had offered pre-military seminars and cultural workshops to help students better understand the Arab world. Now, this training will become a central part of Aman's instruction system. It will start from pre-service stages and continue through advanced officer courses. By next year, all intelligence soldiers, including cyber experts from Unit 8200, will be trained in Islamic studies, and 50 per cent of them will be trained in Arabic, the report said. ALSO READ | Why France has decided to recognise Palestine statehood now The challenges One of the key challenges facing Israeli intelligence in recent years has been the difficulty in interpreting Houthi communications. The issue, the report says, is partly caused by the Houthis' regular use of qat, a mild narcotic plant chewed socially in Yemen and some other Arab regions. It affects clarity of speech, making it harder for intelligence personnel to understand their messages. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In June, an Israeli attempt to assassinate the Houthi military commander reportedly failed because he was at a gathering that focused on qat-chewing, according to the Army Radio. To help with these problems, Aman is starting new courses on Houthi and Iraqi Arabic dialects. The aim is to help language analysts better understand local variations and cultural subtleties. Teachers from those communities have been brought in to provide authentic instruction. A senior Aman official told Army Radio, 'Until now, we haven't been good enough in the areas of culture, language, and Islam. We need to improve in these areas. We won't turn our intelligence officers and soldiers into Arab kids who grew up in a village, but through language and cultural studies, we can instil in them doubt and deep observation.' Israel-Hamas conflict rages on This move comes at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his government is considering 'alternative options' to ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. Both Israel and the United States have pulled back their negotiating teams, creating more uncertainty around future talks. Efforts by the Trump administration to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have so far failed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Experts are warning that Gaza is now on the brink of famine due to Israel blocking food entirely or allowing in only small quantities for months. ALSO READ | Gaza in ruins: How the territory has been reduced to rubble Recently, the number of deaths due to lack of food has increased. Over two dozen countries Western-aligned nations and more than 100 aid and human rights groups have demanded an end to the war. Many have condemned Israel's blockade and criticised a new aid delivery method introduced by Israel. Some of the aid groups said even their own staff are unable to get enough food. At the Patient's Friends Hospital, the main centre treating malnourished children in northern Gaza, more children than ever before are arriving in critical condition. Gaza's Health Ministry said around 80 people have been killed since Thursday night, mostly in airstrikes. Nine of those died while trying to receive aid. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Why Israel Has Made It Mandatory For Military To Study Islam And Learn Arabic
The Israeli Defence Forces have made it mandatory for all soldiers and officers in the intelligence wing to train in Arabic language and Islamic Studies. This initiative comes after an intelligence failure around October 7, 2023, according to the Jerusalem Post. This new addition to the training aims at strengthening the analytical capabilities of the intelligence staff. By the end of next year, 100 per cent of AMAN (the Hebrew acronym for Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate) personnel will be trained in Islamic Studies and 50 per cent of them will undergo Arabic language training. The change has been ordered by AMAN chief - Major General Shlomi Binder. The program will also focus on specialised training in the Houthi and Iraqi dialects as intelligence personnel have faced difficulty in deciphering Houthi communications. According to the report, the use of qat - a mild narcotic plant chewed socially in Yemen and other parts of Arab, affects speech clarity. A senior Aman officer told Army Radio: "Until now, we haven't been good enough in the areas of culture, language, and Islam. We need to improve in these areas. We won't turn our intelligence officers and soldiers into Arab kids who grew up in a village, but through language and cultural studies, we can instill in them doubt and deep observation." The Army Radio's military correspondent Doron Kadosh has said that there will be a new department dedicated to Arabic and Islamic education. Moreover, the IDF has also planned to reopen TELEM, a department dedicated to promote Arabic and Middle Eastern studies in Israeli middle and high schools. Earlier, the department had been closed due to budget constraints, and as a result, the country saw a sharp decline in the number of personnel studying Arabic.
Sharjah 24
17-07-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
AQU's BoT hails Sharjah Ruler for record budget, 500 scholarships
He affirmed that His Highness's approval of the largest budget in the university's history for the academic year 2025–2026 marks a significant milestone in its journey and reflects His Highness's commitment to empowering youth from around the world to continue their university education within a fully integrated academic environment. Comprehensive Budget Supporting Educational Programmes and Research The approved budget encompasses support for academic programmes, educational facilities and infrastructure, in addition to enhancing scientific research and community service—ensuring a stimulating and suitable academic and training environment for students. 500 Scholarships for Students from Around the Globe Al Turaifi praised His Highness's approval of 500 scholarships for male and female students from various countries who have been accepted into the university's different faculties for the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year. Diverse Student Body from 133 Nationalities He pointed out that the number of nationalities currently enrolled at the university has reached 133, reflecting its growing international standing and continued efforts to attract students from diverse cultures. This is within an educational environment that celebrates tolerance and embraces a global mix of students accepted into its colleges, namely: Sharia and Islamic Studies, Arts and Humanities, Economics and Management, Communication, and Holy Quran. Visionary Support for Global Educational Excellence He affirmed that this budget and the scholarships illustrate His Highness's visionary outlook and deep dedication to the dissemination of knowledge, providing a comprehensive university environment that promotes the university's global leadership. This, in turn, supports efforts to attract students from across the world, enabling them to serve their nations and contribute to their advancement and development. Strategic Direction and Academic Expansion Members of the Board of Trustees and the Chancellor of AQU commended the unlimited support provided by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, noting that such support forms the foundational pillar upon which the university builds its academic programmes, enhances its academic capabilities, and expands its scientific and research presence regionally and internationally—particularly with the launch of the College of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research during the current academic year. New Strategic Plan for 2025–2030 Al Turaifi explained that AQU has begun implementing its new strategic plan for 2025–2030, which is based on a range of national and international frameworks. The plan is built on core pillars that include: quality education and learning, scientific research, student and graduate development, strengthening governance and institutional effectiveness, community service, and integration with the industrial sector. Towards a Globally Recognised Academic Beacon This strategic plan aims to realise the university's vision of becoming a globally recognised academic beacon that embraces multiculturalism, in parallel with the launch of the College of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research .
Arab News
16-07-2025
- General
- Arab News
Celebrating 40 years of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. In 1983, Dr. Farhan Nizami and David Browning decided to lobby Oxford University to establish a centre for Islamic studies. After much give and take with the university, it ultimately agreed and followed all the requirements to establish the centre. In 1985, the centre was formally registered with the Charity Commission as an educational charity. It is a nonprofit institution. The founding trustees were Sheikh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, Dr. Abdullah Omar, Dr. Nizami's father, the late Professor K.A. Nizami, Sheikh Sultan Al-Qassimi, and Tariq Shafiq. Professor Keith Griffin was the first nominee to represent the university. All other board members represent themselves. The first donation was £10 ($13), five from Dr. Nizami and five from Browning. There was one staff member, a secretary, and the first budget amounted to £70,000, donated by Sheikh Sultan. It was housed in a small hut on one of Oxford's side streets. King Charles became patron of the centre in 1993, when he gave a landmark lecture titled 'Islam and the West.' He elaborated his view that Islam and the West should and can work together to meet the challenges facing humanity. His Majesty continues to be the patron and will preside over the 40th anniversary. The centre is an independent educational institution and is presided over by a board of trustees made up of luminaries from the Muslim world, the UK, a representative of Oxford University, and others. Dr. Farhan Nizami was its director from 1985 and is now secretary to the board of trustees. Enhancing Muslim and non-Muslim understanding has been the underlying ethos of the centre. Prince Turki Al-Faisal The activities of the centre are all-encompassing, from teaching fellowships, publications, conferences, scholarships, seminars, workshops, lectures, and student sponsorships. The centre received a grant from the late King Fahd to construct its building. Grants for three fellowships in the names of the late King Abdullah, the late Prince Sultan, and King Salman followed. Generous support from other Muslim countries and individuals also added to the centre's building and fellowships. In 2012, the centre became the first British Muslim institution to receive a royal charter from the late Queen Elizabeth. Enhancing Muslim and non-Muslim understanding has been the underlying ethos of the centre. The building that houses it, designed by the famous Egyptian architect Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil, with its dome and minaret, has blended quite beautifully with Oxford's skyline and has become a landmark, visited by many visitors to the city. The centre's relationship with Oxford University will grow and it will strive to continue to serve all of humanity in harmony and understanding.
