Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa, has a significant Muslim population. Islam entered this country before it even reached Medina, welcoming some of the Prophet's closest companions, whose bodies rest in its soil. Despite this large number of Muslims, they have been largely neglected in the field of organized Islamic academic education. Thus, there was a pressing need for a higher education institution that combines tradition and modernity, meets contemporary needs, preserves Islamic identity, and bridges the educational gap among Muslims. Such an institution would also contribute to the development of the Muslim community, helping it positively impact its local, regional, and global surroundings.

This introduction, filled with the Islamic history of a country in East Africa and the hopes of Ethiopian Muslims, was made by Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Abdul Ghaffar, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rasu Islamic University. In his speech, he outlined the establishment and development of the university, from a mere dream to a reality taking shape according to an ambitious strategy.

Foundation and Development

Regarding the establishment and formation of Rasu Islamic University, University President Mohamed Ghani Sekal stated: From the outset of the university's work, the administration has pursued two major and integrated projects with dual goals—administrative and academic construction. He explained in an interview with "Al-Mujtama" that this path represents the project of the century for Ethiopian Muslims in general and the people of the Somali Region in particular. They saw it as a promising opportunity to provide their children with a comprehensive university education to compensate for the absence of higher education in religious and linguistic sciences.

Initial Faculties and Specializations

Ghani indicated that the university administration started with three colleges: the Quran and its Sciences, Sharia and Social Sciences, and Arabic Language and Literature, in addition to an Arabic Language Institute for non-native speakers. He added that the university now has two batches in these specializations, with qualified professors from the region and beyond teaching these courses.

The City of Rasu

Rasu, the city after which the university is named, is one of the main cities in the Somali Region of eastern Ethiopia, one of the 12 Ethiopian regions. Its capital, Jijiga, is located 620 km from Addis Ababa. Last September, the city celebrated a grand carnival graduation ceremony for about 400 male and female Quran memorizers.

Dar Al-Quran Center

Rasu, also known as the city of knowledge and scholars, is home to the "Dar Al-Quran" center for Quran memorization and Islamic education. Before becoming Rasu University, students received knowledge in jurisprudence, hadith, tafsir, qira'at, usul, and the Arabic language to build a generation committed to the moderate and tolerant message of Islam.

Vision and Location Strategy

Atop Mount Al-Noor in Rasu, a fortress of knowledge and wisdom has risen under the name Rasu Islamic University. The university president proudly stated that this magnificent edifice is the dream of the first generation of Rasu scholars. They aimed to establish a comprehensive university city as their top priority. The university is located on the summit of Mount Al-Noor in the western part of Rasu, north of the Aqiq Valley, in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.

Community Efforts and Support

Ghani continued: These names were chosen in honor of the pure lands associated with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The construction of this building began with a blessed initiative in which all the city's residents, men and women, tribes and clans, competed in doing good deeds, contributing their money and efforts. They were followed by the region's sons, who are spread around the world, with generous support and ample donations. The fruits of these efforts began to show with the initial rise of the university's buildings on Mount Al-Noor.

Turning Vision into Reality

The university administration has been diligently working to turn its visionary plans into a tangible reality. With determination and perseverance, they aim to add new colleges and specializations in fields such as economics, administration, and computer science to complement the current offerings and extend the flow of knowledge.

Challenges and Aspirations

The university faces several challenges, including the absence of a local model for Islamic universities and the scarcity of qualified local staff. To overcome these challenges, they seek assistance from brothers and sisters in Islamic countries like Sudan and Yemen.

Call for Collective Effort

The message from this overview is a call for collective effort from the Somali Region's sons and daughters, both inside and outside the country, and from Arab and Islamic nations to support this endeavor. Their support will help realize the dream of seeing Rasu University firmly established on Mount Al-Noor, radiating knowledge and wisdom to all Muslims.

Solid Foundation and Contributions

The Vice President for Academic Affairs pointed out that the university was founded on a solid basis of combined efforts over decades. These efforts were led by esteemed scholars, especially the eminent Sheikh Abdul Qadir Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Abdul Samad. His contributions laid the foundation for Rasu University, crowning the efforts of the "Dar Al-Quran" scholars and, before that, the knowledge circles in mosques, all organized into a modern academic framework.

Hopes and Ambitions

Rasu University is the first Islamic university in Ethiopia to receive registration and accreditation from the relevant government authorities on September 19, 2023. This milestone marks the beginning of a new dawn and a new chapter in the history of Islam in Ethiopia. The university aims to be a prominent beacon of knowledge, significantly impacting the educational landscape in Ethiopia.

The university started its journey with three colleges (the Quran and its Sciences, Sharia, and Arabic Language) to fulfill its vision and mission of pioneering and excellence in Islamic sciences and conveying the moderate message of Islam through well-qualified academic staff.

Future Plans

The administration aspires to establish new colleges in various material, academic, and scientific disciplines, technical and vocational diploma studies, and specialized institutes for Arabic and English languages. Furthermore, they plan to build a residential city for students and professors to achieve stability and support vertical and horizontal expansion, highlighting excellence and reaching global horizons.