The Imam Mahdi Seminary (HOWZA) offers programs of study and promotes research aimed at cultivating understanding of the spiritual and intellectual heritage of Islam and its contributions to universal ideals. Through its work, the Howza seeks to prepare the basis for international, inter-religious and inter-cultural understanding and cooperation between peoples.

The Howza’s teaching programs, with its emphasis on Islamic perspectives, are designed to preserve and promote the scholarly traditions of Islam which maintain, through careful attention to revelation, the balance between knowledge and values.

The Howza provides curriculum designed to clarify the vision of Islam, revitalize its traditions of learning, and prepare future generations of Muslims to understand, interact with, and contribute creatively to Muslim culture and civilization in North America and throughout the world. This curriculum strikes a balance between such traditional subjects as Fiqh, Tafsir and Seerah with a look at contemporary issues in Islam and Modernity, as well as Islam in non-Muslim world.

The Howza exchanges faculty and students with Islamic seminaries, in the U.S. and abroad, that teach and research Islamic thought. The Howza, furthermore, serves the needs of the community by promoting understanding of Islam and Muslims through its continuing education programs (full-time and part-time), community outreach programs, research, and consultation. 

The Howza welcomes those who are interested in having intensive Islamic Studies, regardless their language, race, gender, nationality, and background.

The Howza offers educational programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Islamic Studies and Arabic Language. For these purposes, the Howza provides library and reading facilities, as well as local lecture and lectures on-line for teaching and research.

Upon earning a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) from the Howza (IMS), the student will have the opportunity to:

·      continue a Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Islamic Studies, `Arabic Literature or Language

·      continue a Howza program in an Islamic country

·      teach at the Howza (IMS)

·      qualify for Tabligh and Da`wah in the USA and/or abroad 

The Howza offers intensive courses, full-time and part-time, in the area of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language including:

·      Quranic Studies

·      Hadith and Sirah

·      Fiqh, Usul, and Shari`ah

·      Islamic Theology (Kalam)

·      Ethics (Akhlaq) and Moral Sciences

·      Logic and Philosophy

·      Muslim History and Civilization

·      Muslim Thought

·      Comparative Religious Studies

·      Arabic Language (Grammar, Writing, Conversation)

·      Arabic Literature

·      Farsi Language and Literature

·      Methodology

·      Method of Tabligh and Da`wah

All students are required to observe and be familiar with the rules and regulations of the Howza. The Howza reserves the right to alter such academic or financial conditions as the following: admission requirements; the arrangement of courses; graduation or degree requirements; eligibility and conditions for receiving financial aid; and tuition rates and fees. Other provisions affecting students may also be changed as necessary.

Exceptions to any of the rules, regulations, and procedures may be granted only by the Howza’s Principal. No other officials, including faculty members, are authorized to grant such exceptions independently. Any student who is in doubt about how a rule, regulation, or procedure applies to him or her should seek clarification from the Howza.

English is the language of instruction in all courses listed above. No previous knowledge of Arabic is necessary.

The programs are open to all Muslim undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to other adults with an academic background.

Grade for all courses are recorded as follows:

Our central office address is at:

IINY (IMS)

55-11 Queens Blvd.

Woodside, NY 11377 USA

Tel.: (718) 651-5888  Fax: (718) 656-0589

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  E-Mail: ims@howza.org