founded by Muslims to teach Islamic studies in the United States
The first university to be founded by Muslims to teach Islamic studies in the United States has started its new academic year, promising to be a leading institution in educating future scholars, including imams.
The opening ceremony of Respect Graduate School (RGS), which is to offer a graduate program leading to the degree Master of Arts in Islamic Studies (MAIS), was attended by the representatives of different faiths from across the country. The graduate school is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Ryan Mackenzie, one of Pennsylvania’s legislators, said he was honored to participate in the opening ceremony of an institution that would educate future leaders.
President of the university, SüleymanEriş, said the opening of the institution marked the first time that Muslims had established a university in the US, adding that most of the school’s administration is composed of Muslims. He said there are many universities that teach Islam, but almost all of them are controlled by non-Muslims.
