islamiyya

Islamiyya refers to a system of Islamic education focused on Quranic study and the teaching of Islamic sciences. The term is used in several Muslim-majority regions, notably in West Africa and parts of the Middle East, to describe traditional religious schools sometimes called maktabs or madrasas. In Nigeria, for example, islamiyya schools are often run by local communities or mosques and educate children in Quranic recitation, Arabic literacy, and basic religious law, usually alongside or separate from secular schooling.

Historically, islamiyya institutions evolved from early madrasas that taught the Qur'an, tafsir, and fiqh. In modern contexts they are typically organized as day schools or weekend programs and may offer after-school instruction for children. Teachers are often trained locally; curricula vary by country and community.

Core subjects include Quranic memorization (hifz), tajweed, Arabic grammar (nahu), and basic fiqh and aqidah. Some programs teach hadith, poetry, and calligraphy, and a growing number incorporate secular subjects or alignment with national education standards.

Islamiyya education is sometimes integrated into national systems through formal recognition or accreditation; in other places it remains a parallel track. Advocates emphasize literacy, religious literacy, and community continuity; critics point to variability in quality, lack of standardization, and challenges in balancing religious instruction with broader schooling. The institutions have produced many religious leaders and played a role in preserving Arabic literacy in various regions.