Welcome to Islamic University of Minnesota

American Muslims have established many religious and academic institutions in America, specializing in studying Islam and Islamic Sciences, its civilization, and history. We recognize that religious education and guidance in the West requires a type of scholarship that, in some ways, differs from the scholarship available in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East. Muslims living in the West face several challenges. In most Muslim communities, these challenges are being faced primarily with the guidance of locally trained scholars. In matters of religion, Muslim communities in the West have come to rely for religious leadership on Imams and scholars whose training is mainly rooted in the cultural and educational environment of their countries of origin.

IUM was first established as an academic institution for higher Islamic education in 2007, with Dr. Waleed Meneese as its Vice President.  Dr. Meneese and other learned professors taught many Islamic knowledge courses at this institution. This humble effort attracted immense interest from the youth hungry for authentic Islamic knowledge and training. The student roster rose as hundreds of young men and women thronged to register for undergraduate and graduate schooling.

In 2013, the Islamic University of Minnesota reincorporated with Dr. Waleed as the President of the Board of Directors and Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies and Hyder Aziz as its Vice-President and Executive Director. 

IUM is registered as a nonprofit organization in Minnesota [Tax-exempt EIN # 80-093-8606].

Our Vision

To establish IUM as a pre-eminent institution of higher Islamic education in the American hemisphere.

Principles

• IUM is an academic institution of higher learning poised to help develop a sound Islamic knowledge base and skills in its students to make a positive and lasting contribution to society and the world.  IUM’s entire endeavor is to produce ethical and morally upright human beings steeped in Islamic scholarship.
• The goal of IUM's education philosophy and methodology aims to Islamize the mind, body, and soul to bring about positive change in the personal and collective lives of Muslims and non-Muslims.
• Islamic education involves the development of the complete human being with his or her rational, spiritual, and social dimensions. This comprehensive and integrated approach to education in Islam is directed toward a balanced growth of the total personality…through training man's spirit, intellect, and rational self so that faith is infused into his or her personality.  In Islamic educational theory, knowledge is gained to actualize and perfect all dimensions of the human being. From an Islamic perspective, the highest and most useful model of perfection is the prophet Muhammad. The goal of Islamic education is that people live as he lived and prepare for the permanent abode of the hereafter.
• IUM’s goal is twofold: disseminate intellectual knowledge (through the application of reason and logic) and disseminate authentic spiritual knowledge (derived from divine revelation and the sunnah of prophet Muhammad (SAW).  According to the Islamic worldview, provisions in education must be made equally for both religious and intellectual knowledge. Acquiring knowledge in Islam is not intended as an end but to stimulate a more elevated moral and spiritual consciousness, leading to faith and righteous action.
• IUM will not endorse any extremism or political ideology and will work tirelessly to promote moderation and the middle way for its students.
• IUM will promote a culture of racial, gender, and religious acceptance.
• IUM will assume and demonstrate responsibility for its decisions and actions.
• IUM will be dedicated to training its students and staff to improve the lives of others through professional and community service.

Objectives

• To produce a new generation of Muslims to serve Islam and the world.
• To prepare well-qualified and experienced graduates.
• To interact with society and offer services to it.
• Attract Muslims and non-Muslims in North America to pursue an Islamic education to discover and strengthen their connection with Islam and its civilization.
• Produce highly educated and trained Islamic researchers and scholars who understand Islam and can convey it to the larger community.
• Bring the Holy Qur’an to the forefront the Muslim daily life.
• Initiate joint research and cooperation with other universities and research centers in North America to provide practical solutions for issues facing American society.
• Establish a residential university dormitory supervised by highly skilled specialists in education.
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