About Al-Salam Institute

Al-Salam Institute (ASI) was founded in Oxford in 2006 by Sumaiya Akram under the guidance of Shaykh Akram Nadwi. As a Centre for Arabic & Islamic Sciences, it was established with intention of providing both men and women access to structured classes in traditional Islamic studies, at that time under the sole tutelage of Shaykh Akram Nadwi. In 2012 the Institute graduated its first cohort, awarding the Shahadat al-Alimiyyah licence to successful candidates. By 2014, ASI had begun delivering residential programmes abroad, expanded in to London and launched online and onsite bespoke Islamic Scholarship Programmes (ISP’s), an umbrella term for a variety of its long-term programmes. These programmes offer sequential studies whilst providing multiple entry points for a diverse student body. As of 2025, ASI delivers online programmes in Arabic and the Islamic sciences through its Foundation Year (1 year), Arabic Immersion Programme (2 years), Quran Study Programme (3 years), Alimiyyah Programme (5 years), Ifta Programme (2 years), regular short courses and residential programmes, such as student retreats, the Sacred Sciences Journey, Arabic Summer School and other international tours. ASI fosters a lively learning environment, with students from across the globe, and continues to provide access to studies in Arabic and traditional Islamic sciences with modern means of accessibility in a contemporary context.