The majority of Muslims living in the UK do not undertake the learning of Islamic sciences in a structured and organised manner. The Personal Development Programme (iPDP) has been put together in order to provide opportunity to British Muslims to experience and benefit from a methodical system to learning. iPDP comprises a set curriculum that includes numerous disciplines of Islamic knowledge as well as secular branches of learning. A none-exhaustive list includes the Arabic language, sirah, tafsir, iman, fiqh, memorisation of the Quran, history, leadership, management, politics and psychology. Students can opt to follow an Arabic version of the Islamic sciences curriculum instead of the English version depending on their competence in the Arabic Language.

iPDP attempts to deal with the individual in a holistic manner and thus extends to action and is not limited to one’s knowledge. Da’wah activity falls within the remit of the iPDP and is part-and-parcel of the development programme. Although personal worship does not lie within the scope of iPDP it is nevertheless encouraged at every opportunity to avoid superficial and ineffectual growth.

Currently iPDP is in alpha stage and a pilot is underway involving learned and respected individuals acting as mentors for numerous students. Mentors are advanced students of Islamic Sciences and or secular subjects. The Mentor’s role is to help customise the prospective student’s programme and thereafter supervise its implementation while offering continuous help and support. Mentors and Mentees meet regularly in order to discuss progress and renew targets.

Watch this space for an update in the latter half of 2008!