Several Islamic associations in Latin America signed a unified agreement to establish an Islamic university, allowing future Muslim leaders to study in their regions without having to travel to the Middle East and other Islamic countries.
The meeting, which was held in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo recently, resulted in an agreement to establish the Islamic University of Latin America and the Caribbean.
According to what was published by media outlets and followed by Shia Waves, the Brazilian Islamic Publication Center for Latin America and the Supreme Council of Imams and Islamic Affairs were able to finally achieve this after discussing the idea for many years.
“The Brazilian Islamic Publishing Center concluded the agreement with the Islamic University of Minnesota, which will provide courses and academic materials for the new institution, and it will be based in São Paulo,” added the media source.
The center explained that “the future idea is to establish branches of this university in various countries to attract the largest number of Muslim students.”
“The university’s goal is not only to educate future sheikhs, but anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of Islam,” it added.
Sheikh Abdel Hamid Metwally, born in Egypt, who will be the university’s president and academic director, said, “Non-Muslim students will also be able to enroll in the university’s classes.”
He continued, “We want to educate people about Islamic culture and traditions and prepare academic leaders and clerics from both Shias and Sunnis.”
He pointed out that “Islam is growing throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, but we do not grow well if we do not have real knowledge as well as a solid Islamic academic institution,” stressing that “the Muslim community in Latin America supports the establishment of this university.”
