About the Department

‘Islamic Studies’, a core subject in the Social Science stream, was introduced in GDC Pulwama in 2010, with the objective to explore Islam as a religion, a history, and a civilization which focuses on the social, political, Intellectual, scientific, and cultural dimensions of Islam in a bid to revive its relevance in present times. Islamic Studies is a subject wherein is taught Islam (as a Religion, Ideology, Civilization, Culture) and Muslims and Muslim Societies in all aspects (social, political, cultural, economic, administrative, intellectual, etc.). It is a subject which is not limited to the study of Islam as living (and lived) Faith, but includes and encompasses a variety of fields, ranging from: Islamic Civilization, Culture, Religion, History, Islamic Social Sciences, Islamic Scientific Heritage, Rationalism and Philosophy, Sufism and Spirituality, Comparative Religions, Interfaith Dialogue, Gender Studies, Islamic Economics/ Finance, Ethics, Human Rights, Islam, Modernity," Modern Challenges, Islam and/ in West, Contemporary Muslims Societies—from Asia to Arab World—"; Muslims living (as Minorities) in West, Europe, India, and elsewhere. This Subject has a long history, globally. In fact, it was first introduced in the western academia—with different names like Oriental Studies, Theology/ Religious Studies, Arab/ Middle Eastern Studies, and Islamic Studies—and later on became part and parcel of educational institutions of the Muslims world and in the rest of the world. For instance, it is taught in world famous (western) universities, like University of Oxford (UK), University of London (UK), University of Cambridge (UK), University of Chicago (USA), Harvard University (USA), Princeton University (USA), Free University of Berlin (Germany), McGill University (Canada), University of Melbourne (Australia), etc. In India, it is taught, at UG, PG, and research levels, in Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Milia Islamia, Jamia Hamdard, Osmania University, University of Kerala, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, etc. In J&K, it is taught in Universities like University of Kashmir (estb. 1989), Islamic University of Science & Technology (2005), Central University of Kashmir (2015), and was introduced recently in Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (2018). At UG level, it is taught in almost all Degree Colleges of J&K, esp. in Kashmir province. At College level, it was first introduced in GDC Boys Anantnag (1982); Amar Singh  College (1993); & GDC Sopore. And in between 2010—2018, it has been introduced in almost all colleges of Kashmir Province; examples (in alphabetical order) are these districts: Anantnag, Gurez, Kulgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Shopian, Sopore, Srinagar, Tangdhar.

HOD's Message

A warm welcome to all those students who have opted, and are opting, ‘Islamic Studies’ as a core subject in the Social Science stream in this College. Dear Students! Studying ‘Islamic Studies’ at UG level will help you in understanding that Islam—which is the lived/ living faith of 1.6 billion people globally—in its real historical perspective: not only as a faith and religion, but as a civilization, culture, and an ideology as well. It will also help you to overcome all the misconceptions and misunderstandings that you may be having about Islam and its followers (Muslims)—whether living in the Muslim majority countries (like Arab World/ Middle East), in South and Southeast Asia (like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia, etc.), or in other countries where Muslims form a significant minority: be it India, UK, USA, Germany, France, etc.—their beliefs, practices, and above all their contribution to the humanity at large. It is pertinent to mention that Islamic Studies was introduced in GDC Pulwama from 2010 academic session. The Department strives to achieve the following objectives:
 to provide students a comprehensive and accurate perspective about Islam and Muslims;  to provide students a sound knowledge of Islam (as a religion, a history and a  civilization) and Islamic literature;  to prepare students religious, spiritually, and morally;  to inculcate a spirit of universal brotherhood, religious tolerance, and amiable relations with major world  religions, among students;  to acquaint the students with  the discourses related to Ethics, Human Right, Rationalism and Philosophy, Sufism and Spirituality; and   to instill the spirit of tolerance and patience among its students in order to promote  communal harmony and mutual understanding in a pluralistic society. The major courses that are taught in Islamic Studies at UG level are: Islamic Civilization  and Culture; Prophet’s Biography (Seerah); Islamic Religious Sciences (Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh/ Jurisprudence, etc.); Rationalism and Philosophy; Sufism and Spirituality; Comparative Religions; Islamic Economics/ Finance; Ethics; Human Rights; Islam in the  Modern World—from Asia to Arab World—& Muslims living (as Minorities as in India), Islamic (social, political, economic)Institutions, etc.  

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