Utrujj Foundation

Utrujj Foundation is a non profit educational charity foundation that delivers a wide range of courses on Islam throughout the United Kingdom. Utrujj teachers convey their methods through developing deep understanding and improved character techniques, and strives for the betterment of individuals, families and communities.

Utrujj was founded in December 2001 by Shaykh Haytham Tamim who is currently the Chairman and also the lead teacher within the organisation. Utrujj was established in order to tackle the dearth of Islamic knowledge in the UK and make Islamic knowledge accessible in a simple form. Utrujj provides courses to facilitate the translation of Islamic theory. Utrujj caters for people who are involved in full time occupations.

Utrujj was registered with the UK Charities Commission in October 2003 (charity number 1099875) with a principal office at 48a Goodge Street in London. Courses are delivered at range of venues across the UK such as university lecture theatres.

Overview

The last seven years, Utrujj has become a provider and facilitator of Islamic educational and training services in the UK. It has been driven by the relevance and flexibility of its courses, that appeal to a wide range of students. Furthermore, what distinguishes Utrujj is its creativity. Utrujj also concentrates on training people with the knowledge of Islam, while also teaching how to implement the knowledge in their lives and communities.

“The believer who recites the Qur'an and applies it is like the utrujja (fruit), whose smell is fragrant and taste is sweet” (Bukhari)

The above hadith (saying of Muhammad), is teaching us to stay deeply connected with the Qur'an and use it as a guidance in our day to day life. Once the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah are practically applied through understanding, the fragrance of this knowledge transpires amongst family, friends and the community. This enriches our lives with a special sweetness similar to the description of the Utrujja fruit.

Organisation

Utrujj started its fifth academic year in October 2005 with two full time members of staff, five trustees, a board of advisors consisting of Islamic and public figures, seventeen members of a management team and over thirty regular volunteers. There is also a large pool of adhoc volunteers who help as and when required.

Utrujj maintains a flat hierarchy and does this by split the organisation into three levels. The board level that oversees the strategy and direction of the organisation, management team, which has a responsibility within particular divisions. And finally, the project team level whom are responsible for implementing and running various projects and work closely with the management team and trustees.

The chairman of Utrujj is Shaykh Haytham Tamim. The shaykh was chairman of his own publications business in Lebanon before coming to the UK and starting the Utrujj Foundation. He has committed most of his time to teaching Islamic knowledge through Utrujj and collaborating with other organisations.

Courses

Utrujj delivers a wide range of courses to increase the student's knowledge of Islam and improve their character. Through this learning Utrujj hope students will make a difference to their family, friends and community. Courses are mainly delivered in three formats: Weekend intensive courses which run for one or two full days; Weekday courses which run once a week in the evening; “Beehive” courses which run daily for a week and have either morning, afternoon or evening sessions.

The following are some examples of Utrujj courses:
* Community related & topical: Marriage and parenting; Developing brotherhood and community ties; Challenges facing Muslims in the West

* Everyday living: Islamic finance and business transactions; Guidance on fasting; How to pray; rituals of Hajj; Good manners and etiquettes

* Jurisprudence(Fiqh): Principles of Islamic law; The rights of women

* Qur’an & prophetic teachings (Hadith): Explanation of chapters in the Qur’an; 40 essential sayings of Muhammad

Teachers

Shaykh Haytham Tamim is the senior lecturer and scholar and has studied Islamic law for over 16 years. His academic background includes accreditation in interpretation and sciences of the Qur’an, Prophetic sayings (Hadith) and jurisprudence (Fiqh) from scholars of As-Sham.As well as verifying over 20 books, his specialities include comparative jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence (usool ul fiqh) and hadith. He served as a lecturer of comparative jurisprudence for many years at the Islamic University of Beirut. He has also served as lecturer of hadith and the life of Muhammad (seerah) at the Azhar Lubnan Academy, Lebanon. He provides counselling and independent consultancy services for Muslim and non-Muslim organisations both in person and via the internet. He has appeared on both Islam Channel and Shariah TV channel. He has been a guest speaker on Islamic radio stations throughout the UK responding to questions on Islamic law and living Islam in the modern context.

Utrujj has a number of guest teachers including the following:

* Shaykh Abd Al-Aziz Al-Shafii has studied with prominent teachers (shayoukh) in Lebanon and Damascus. He graduated from the Shariah College, has a Diploma from the Islamic University of Beirut and has completed studies at Dar al-Fatwa. The Shaykh also has a BA in Media, from the Lebanese University. The Shaykh is currently working in the Islamic Sunnite Court Beirut, as an Assistant Judge in the Supreme Court.

* Shaykh Marwan Ghalayini has been teaching tajwid (recitation) in London and has received training in recitation and memorisation of the Qur’an in more than one Qira'at (mode of recitation) from Shaykh Abdus Salam Salim, Lebanon

* Shaykh Mohammad Tahir has been teaching tajwid in Leeds. He has Ijazah(permission to teach) in recitation and memorisation of the Qu'ran in more than one Qira'at (mode of recitation). Shaykh Tahir is currently the Imam of the Leeds Grand Mosque

* Dr Rani El-Khateeb is active in the education field, and was a former president of FOSIS (federation of student Islamic societies), and the author of the 'Fosis Khutba Guide'

* Dr Faissal Hameed is an Islamic history lecturer from Muslim College, London

* Sidi Abû 'Âliyah of the Jawziyyah Institute which a UK based organisation trying share sound knowledge of Islam, and raise awareness of its teaching. He has translated numerous books from Arabic to English and has been involved in community work for the past 20 years.

Community

Utrujj has collaborated with a number of organisations, a few of which are mentioned below:

* Federation of Students Islamic Societies (FOSIS)
* Islamic Society of Britain (ISB)
* City Circle
* Froud Centre
* Metropolitan Police Service
* Bradford Interfaith Communities
* Islam Channel

Utrujj also offers a consultancy service. The provides a professional and accessible outlet for the dissemination of accurate and up-to-date advice on issues pertaining to Islam and Muslims, particularly in the West. Existing services include web-based counselling, the delivery of legalistic verdicts, and serving the needs of government, non-government and private Muslim and non-Muslim organisations.

Testimonials from organisations and students

“… Shaykh Haytham Tamim is providing an invaluable service to the community through the Utrujj Foundation. Working with Shaykh Haytham has been a pleasurable and insightful experience and we wish him the best for the future …”

- Fadi Itani, Executive Director, Muslim Welfare House, London

“… Members of YMO UK have benefited immensely from the deep and penetrating knowledge of Shaykh Haytham…Shaykh Haytham's willingness to travel has meant people across the UK have benefited from him. His in-depth and scholarly knowledge in the sciences of the Quran, Hadith, Fiqh to mention but a few has made Shaykh Haytham Tamim and Utrujj an indispensable resource for tarbiyyah (nurturing) of YMO UK members …”

- Young Muslims Organisation, UK.

“… Utrujj was a perfect experience for me. The teachings were given in an enthusiastic manner. As a result the lessons had a real and lasting impact on my life…”

- Fatima Yusuf, Sheffield, Orthoptics Student , Leeds Beehive 2004

Future

Utrujj has delivered over 200 courses since it was founded and has taught thousands of students.

In the near future, Utrujj is seeking to increase the number of services offered, and the scope of its services by:

Reaching out to young professionals and higher education students in more locations across the UK and Europe by establishing more regular satellite centres, and maintaining innovative and unique courses to suit market needsDeveloping a teacher leadership programme that offers advanced level training for graduates of Islamic colleges, select Utrujj students and current or prospective teachers, community leaders and mosque imams

References

* [http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/showcharity.asp?chyno=1099875 "Charity Commision"] , "Charity Registration webste".
* [http://www.fathersdirect.com/index.php?id=8&cID=192 "Muslim Parenting"] , "Fathers Direct ", April 25 2005. Accessed September 29 2007.
* [http://www.cityandfinancial.com/assets/documents/20070212145539IslamicFinance_WEB.pdf "The London Islamic Financial Services Summit"] , "City & Financial", March 29 2007. Accessed September 29 2007.
* [http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/S/shariahtv2/points5.html "Shariah TV"] , "Channel 4", Accessed September 29 2007.

External links

* [http://www.utrujj.org Utrujj Website]