New Imam Al-Ouzai Center for Hadith Studies Opens in Idlib
The Idlib Waqf Directorate has officially inaugurated the Imam Al-Ouzai Center for Hadith Studies and Sciences, marking a new step in the provincial efforts to revitalize traditional religious scholarship. The opening ceremony coincided with the launch of the center’s inaugural scientific series, which began with the study of ‘Al-Muwatta’ by Imam Malik bin Anas. The event saw participation from a broad range of local scholars and students of religious sciences.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Directorate of Endowments in Idlib to restore traditional centers for the study of the Prophet’s Sunnah and the sciences of Hadith. By focusing on both the transmission and interpretation of these texts, the center aims to strengthen the academic foundations of students and connect them with the scholarly heritage of the Levant.
Maher Rifai, the Deputy Director of Idlib Waqf for Educational and Religious Affairs, stated that the center is designed to serve as a primary institution for training a new generation of students in the specialized study of Hadith, covering oral transmission, documentation, and the chain of narrators. According to the directorate, the selection of Imam Malik’s ‘Al-Muwatta’ for the opening lectures reflects the work’s historical importance in both jurisprudence and Hadith studies. The local authorities expressed their hope that the facility will function as a central academic hub, attracting students from across the region who are interested in rigorous, authentic religious education.
Abdullah Tarsha Kurdi, the Sheikh of the House of Hadith in Idlib, emphasized that the curriculum will prioritize the rigorous study, preservation, and analysis of Hadith literature. The pedagogical approach seeks to revive the traditional methods of teaching and the granting of academic licenses, known as ‘ijaza,’ which were once a hallmark of the prominent schools in the Levant. He noted that the commencement of the ‘Al-Muwatta’ sessions serves as the foundation for a long-term academic program that will eventually cover the six major books of Sunnah. The ultimate goal, he explained, is to ensure that students develop a systematic, scholarly methodology that influences both their personal study and their broader social conduct.
This development is part of a wider trend of rehabilitating public and religious infrastructure within Idlib. In June, the provincial authorities oversaw the reopening of 13 mosques, many of which had been restored through local initiatives such as the ‘Loyalty to Idlib’ campaign and private donations. The establishment of the Imam Al-Ouzai Center underscores the continued emphasis on educational infrastructure alongside physical reconstruction efforts in the province.
