Late in 1997, the students and scholars that founded the American Learning Institute for Muslims (ALIM) made some critical observations regarding the Muslim communities around the nation. They observed that these communities, while rich and diverse, were fragmented and separated by artificial dams because of what were actually minor ideological streams of thought flowing into the same river of belief. They discerned a dogmatic trend towards self-righteousness and a scarcity of meaningful discourse and willingness to learn from others’ point of view. These dams and scarcity of discourse are ailments that were not in the spirit of Islam as these scholars and students understood it. They believed these ailments to be early symptoms of a greater disease and possible future epidemics of extremism, religious voyeurism and self-destruction. The solution, at its root was the cultivation of critical thinking anchored by true belief. This communal aspiration was dubbed “Islamic Literacy” and ALIM was born.
The American Learning Institute for Muslims was formally founded in 1998 in order to meet the need for Islamic Literacy and the empowerment of Muslims. It was the result of many detailed discussions between the core scholars and several of their students.
ALIM took the first step towards its goal of Muslim empowerment by designing and offering the inaugural month-long summer retreat for up to 50 students with a focus on developing Islamic Literacy in 1998. In 2001, after 3 years of focusing on and developing the Islamic Studies Summer Program, an Islamic Arabic Texts program was added, the Al-Lisan program. This program focused on development of advanced Arabic language skills through translation of Islamic Texts and discussion of their substance. The Al-Lisan program met a critical need for a specialized Arabic curriculum grounded in Islamic concepts. Unfortunately, it was suspended to reduce the incredible pressure on the scholars’ time.
The demand for ALIM grew quickly among students who were unable to commit to a full four-week course. In response to this need, in 2001 ALIM initiated what became the annual Winter Program, a weekend-long focused short-course aimed at Muslim professionals. More recently, ALIM has begun to offer similar weekend programs in cities across the country.
In any successful culture and society there are several role-players who facilitate development and perpetuation. These role-players must communicate effectively. Effective and meaningful discourse necessarily requires a lingua franca or common language whereby the participants in a discussion may convey their ideas and experiences clearly. ALIM seeks to provide that context as well as the environment in which scholars, professionals, activists, artists, writers, community leaders and functional members of Muslim society might engage each other productively and develop possibilities for Islamic society and culture. This ideal is the Muslim empowerment that ALIM strives to facilitate.
The American Learning Institute for Muslims was formally founded in 1998 in order to meet the need for Islamic Literacy and the empowerment of Muslims. It was the result of many detailed discussions between the core scholars and several of their students.
ALIM took the first step towards its goal of Muslim empowerment by designing and offering the inaugural month-long summer retreat for up to 50 students with a focus on developing Islamic Literacy in 1998. In 2001, after 3 years of focusing on and developing the Islamic Studies Summer Program, an Islamic Arabic Texts program was added, the Al-Lisan program. This program focused on development of advanced Arabic language skills through translation of Islamic Texts and discussion of their substance. The Al-Lisan program met a critical need for a specialized Arabic curriculum grounded in Islamic concepts. Unfortunately, it was suspended to reduce the incredible pressure on the scholars’ time.
The demand for ALIM grew quickly among students who were unable to commit to a full four-week course. In response to this need, in 2001 ALIM initiated what became the annual Winter Program, a weekend-long focused short-course aimed at Muslim professionals. More recently, ALIM has begun to offer similar weekend programs in cities across the country.
In any successful culture and society there are several role-players who facilitate development and perpetuation. These role-players must communicate effectively. Effective and meaningful discourse necessarily requires a lingua franca or common language whereby the participants in a discussion may convey their ideas and experiences clearly. ALIM seeks to provide that context as well as the environment in which scholars, professionals, activists, artists, writers, community leaders and functional members of Muslim society might engage each other productively and develop possibilities for Islamic society and culture. This ideal is the Muslim empowerment that ALIM strives to facilitate.
