THE THREE WEEK ALIM SUMMER PROGRAM
July 6 — July 28, 2024
The ALIM Summer Program will be held at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois outside of Chicago.
The ALIM Summer Program will be held at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois outside of Chicago.
Be a part of the 50! Registration for the annual ALIM Summer Program, our three-week, thought-provoking and faith-affirming program, is competitive. For the past 25 years, ALIM has helped spread Islamic Literacy among American Muslims. The Summer Program is an excellent opportunity to learn, meet students from around the country and build confidence in your faith. Submit your application today in order to start the process!
Admission Process
Step 1. Register:
Step 2. If needed, apply for:
Step 3. Once approved:
Submit an interest form
Summer Program Overview
The ALIM Summer Program is an intensive three-week retreat seeking to educate and empower Muslims with the requisite knowledge to understand their religion in the light of a changing world. The curriculum addresses traditional subjects such as Fiqh, Tafsir, and Sirah as well as contemporary issues in courses like Islam in America, Modernism, Sectarianism, and Liberalism. (Read more here)
The ALIM Summer Program is an intensive three-week retreat seeking to educate and empower Muslims with the requisite knowledge to understand their religion in the light of a changing world. The curriculum addresses traditional subjects such as Fiqh, Tafsir, and Sirah as well as contemporary issues in courses like Islam in America, Modernism, Sectarianism, and Liberalism. (Read more here)
Scholars & Courses
Core Courses:
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Previous Courses:
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Program Fees:
Pay Here (Payment is submitted after applying, completing interview and receiving an acceptance email)
Fees include class tuition, materials, housing, food, and field trips. There is a slight discount for those who will be commuting daily (all students are highly encouraged to live on campus to experience the full ALIM program; those outside of the Canton area are required to live on campus). All students (commuter or on-campus) must commit to attending all classes and on-time.
Payment Plans:
For your convenience, we offer payment plans. Pay your full ALIM tuition in five easy payments of $650. Learn more here.
Refunds:
No accepted student is turned away due to lack of funds. Please fill out a financial aid form after you are accepted to the program.
Sponsor a Student: If you would like to sponsor a student or know someone who can, please click here.
Questions? Email us here and read our FAQ's.
Pay Here (Payment is submitted after applying, completing interview and receiving an acceptance email)
Fees include class tuition, materials, housing, food, and field trips. There is a slight discount for those who will be commuting daily (all students are highly encouraged to live on campus to experience the full ALIM program; those outside of the Canton area are required to live on campus). All students (commuter or on-campus) must commit to attending all classes and on-time.
- Deposit: $250 to save your seat
- Total Tuition and Fees with Lodging = $3250 (including the deposit)
- Total Tuition and Fees without Lodging (commuters) = $2500 (including the deposit)
Payment Plans:
For your convenience, we offer payment plans. Pay your full ALIM tuition in five easy payments of $650. Learn more here.
Refunds:
- Withdraw before June 1: full refund (minus CC processing fees)
- Withdraw after June 11: forfeit deposit (tuition will be refunded)
- Withdraw after June 25: no refund at all (deposit or tuition)
No accepted student is turned away due to lack of funds. Please fill out a financial aid form after you are accepted to the program.
Sponsor a Student: If you would like to sponsor a student or know someone who can, please click here.
Questions? Email us here and read our FAQ's.
frequently asked
What does the tuition cover?
Tuition includes room and board, meals, and transportation on field trips. Students are responsible for covering transportation to and from the program and any additional purchases such as additional meals, snacks, and items for the apartment such as sheets and bedding
Do you offer scholarships?
Should I bring anything with me?
Yes, we recommend bringing the following:
- Qur’an with translation (Note: Also bring a Qur’an specifically for recitation)
- Laptop/Tablet (for note taking and all reading materials will be sent electronically)
- Notebooks/paper and pens/pencils/highlighters
- Full size bed sheets, blanket, pillow, and a towel
- Toiletries (Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner, Towels, Shower Shoes, Hair Brush, etc.)
- Laundry Detergent for laundry machines (this can also be purchased upon arrival)
- Hangers and Clothing: Warm, Cold, Recreational
- Shoes (at least one pair for recreation)
- Optional: Blow Dryer
- Optional: Additional money for personal use (Instacart orders etc.).
- Qur’an with translation (Note: Also bring a Qur’an specifically for recitation)
- Laptop/Tablet (for note taking and all reading materials will be sent electronically)
- Notebooks/paper and pens/pencils/highlighters
- Full size bed sheets, blanket, pillow, and a towel
- Toiletries (Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner, Towels, Shower Shoes, Hair Brush, etc.)
- Laundry Detergent for laundry machines (this can also be purchased upon arrival)
- Hangers and Clothing: Warm, Cold, Recreational
- Shoes (at least one pair for recreation)
- Optional: Blow Dryer
- Optional: Additional money for personal use (Instacart orders etc.).
I'm traveling from out of state. What dates should I book my transportation?
Students should arrive on the first day preferably prior to 3 pm, in order to be there for evening orientation session and should leave on the last day, preferably in the afternoon, so they have time to cleanup before leaving— (arrive on July 8th and leave on July 30th).
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! Pay your full ALIM tuition in three easy payments of $1,083. Learn more about payment plans here.
Read more FAQ's here. For more questions, please email us at admin@alimprogram.com and alimat@alimprogram.com
ALIMni Testimonials
Join our network of 1,000+ ALIM graduates
Meet 2023 Alimni
There’s a widespread ignorance of the true practice of our religion, exacerbated by the lack of Ulama (Scholars) in the Muslim American community and our reliance on the internet for reliable Islamic knowledge. There's a turn away from spirituality, spiritual awareness, and purification of the soul— the heart of Islam as taught by Prophet Muhammad SAW. Instead, many Muslims see the surface aspects of Islam (e.g. halal and haram, Islamic clothing, traditions, mosques etc.) as fundamentals of Islam. No doubt that these are important, but they cannot be prioritized over spirituality.” |
Two major challenges the American Muslim community is facing is the desire to assimilate into American/Western culture and the loneliness many Muslims feel. There's a wave of Muslims not having pride in their identity and just wanting to fit in. The other problem I see in the American Muslim community is a lack of a strong community and loneliness. I think this is especially critical with new Muslims/converts because many may already be isolated from their family and friends. Upon converting, one of the most crucial things to have is a strong support system, and not having that can be detrimental to your deen and outlook on religion. So many people are converting, but so many are leaving at the same time." |
I believe we're facing the problem of living in a society that normalizes things that are haram. We can find this normalization can be seen everywhere in the media. Muslims also deal with this normalization at school, work, and even in public. Muslims still don't have enough proper representation that we need in today's world." |
As Muslims in America, our faith is constantly being questioned and we're asked to reaffirm itself in relation to the norms of the society that we live in. This is an immense struggle to cope with, especially for youth who feel they don't even know themselves, let alone Islam, and how it should influence who they are. Something Shaykh Ubaydullah Evans said has stuck with me ever since— ‘For a tree to grow and bear fruits, you need to know the soil its growing in. If you dont understand the climate, the tribulations that the seeds will face, then you cant best cultivate the plant.’ We need leaders who will meet youth where they are at. Who will help them grow not only as individuals, but also as Muslims who have a deep understanding of Islam as a whole." |
For most of my life, I’ve gained my Islamic knowledge from the internet but I was missing a formal education in Islam and the presence and connection with a qualified teacher and scholar. I’ve been searching for an opportunity to be able to learn directly from scholars in an intimate setting. Alhamdulillah, I found out about the ALIM Summer Program and was instantly interested in attending." |
Identity and trying to fit in with Western norms is a huge challenge Muslim Americans face because it's hard to practice Islam when you're surrounded by things that are haram. Sometimes Muslim youth may try to act more Western to fit in and feel less Muslim and lose touch with their faith as a result. Being in an environment where Islam is seen negatively and where Islamophobia is prominent makes it hard to practice being Muslim in America." |
I was born Catholic, but had a fairly secular upbringing. I converted to Islam, Alhamdulillah, in 2019 and that was the best decision I ever made. My journey has been one of up and down, but I hope that shows some kind of perseverance. A challenge Muslims in America are facing today is the ability to stand true to the deen while still being able to exist in this society. The current social and political culture seeks to encompass everyone to think and act the same when it comes to certain questions. Our challenge is to face this with passion for the Islamic truth while still being merciful to others,” |
I attended the ALIM Summer Program and truly enjoyed it. I really benefitted from the classes themselves, but being around different people for that amount of time really allowed me to see where I needed to grow in terms of being in community. I made a lot of great friends and it really helped me address preexisting struggles I had with faith." |
Apply as a counselor
Are you interested in being a counselor at the ALIM Summer Program?
The ALIM summer program has, alhamdulillah, been successful since its inception in 1998. An integral part of the program lies with the two ALIM counselors, who remain on-site for the duration of the program. Their contributions are invaluable and as such discounts to their tuition’s are provided. If you are interested in being a counselor and have attended the ALIM Summer Program before, please fill out the form below!
The ALIM summer program has, alhamdulillah, been successful since its inception in 1998. An integral part of the program lies with the two ALIM counselors, who remain on-site for the duration of the program. Their contributions are invaluable and as such discounts to their tuition’s are provided. If you are interested in being a counselor and have attended the ALIM Summer Program before, please fill out the form below!
Blog
ALIM Summer Program 2023 Recap
By: Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans
"'Diversity and inclusion' are more than just buzzwords in our contemporary society. They represent a profound shift in how we perceive, engage with, and value differences in an increasingly globalized world. Originating from Affirmative Action policies that sought to redress historical injustices..."
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