Al-Jazirah It seems the officials of the two holy mosques are still campaigning for the establishment of Haramain University. I thought they would drop the plan after many academics had expressed their reservation and opposition on the proposed university project. The head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques spoke about the project once again few days ago, evoking emotions that we should do whatever possible being the guardians of the two holy mosques to further enhance its position and reputation. But the issue is beyond preview of emotions and dreams. Before embarking on such a higher education project we should conduct necessary feasibility studies on its academic aspects and future possibilities. Moreover, this project should be announced by the Education Ministry and not the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques. I write this article to remind readers what I have said before on this issue. I don't see any academic feasibility for a university in the name of the two holy mosques and I want the two holiest mosques of Muslims to glitter empowered by its spirituality and values. It appears that the establishment of a new university has become the ambition of some government officials and business leaders in Makkah, who might have thought that it's an easy task and would enhance the presidency's global reputation. The head of the presidency has not yet clearly mentioned whether the proposed dream university would be under the supervision of his organization or he was just proposing a name for a new university under the Education Ministry. I am not opposing the formation of a new university specialized in Shariah and language sciences, although the matter requires more studies. Let's not forget our previous experience of establishing Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University. It was primarily an Islamic university but later on it started offering all other courses including engineering, health and science courses. All our universities except King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and King Saud University for Health Sciences offer Shariah and language courses. They include Um Al-Qura University, which is located close to the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Moreover, we can increase the number of courses and colleges for Islamic studies under existing universities if required. Some government departments and agencies have set up own colleges to meet their manpower requirements and this would not apply to the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, which does not require a large number of workers. Moreover, the existing universities can meet its needs. We should understand that the two holy mosques are the center of attraction for all Muslims across the world, including followers of the different schools of Islamic thought. When we establish a new university in the name of the two holy mosques it should be open to all schools of thought and sects. Are we ready for such a situation to happen? Do you want it to be a local university incapable of achieving international academic and intellectual recognition, especially when the whole Islamic world looks at the two holy mosques with reverence, expecting a lot from its presence? We don't want the dreamed university to become a source of desperation and provocation for the multifarious Islamic thought. The presidency's mission is limited to supervising the two holy mosques and managing their daily affairs and it should not focus on matters that have nothing to do with its basic mission. Its responsibilities do not cover Islamic propagation with its global concepts or to develop manpower in the field of Shariah. The Haramain are not like other mosques and have their unique specialties, and we don't want such immature projects to distort its image. There are highly qualified scholars at the presidency and our universities like Um Al-Qura and Madinah Islamic University who can be used for teaching and research. If the presidency requires research in a specific subject it can resort to the assistance of existing Saudi universities, who will be more than happy to serve the two holy mosques. Hope the presidency chief would excuse me for opposing his idea because I thought it's more of an emotional idea than a scientific one. Although we want to achieve excellence, competing with others we should know that the situation has changed. No new Islamic university can complete easily with others. If dream and money were the basis of success, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology would have excelled its global counterparts.
