As for what follows,

It’s my pleasure welcoming you to The Darul Arqam Institute, a safe haven for our youths’ education. One of our main goals is learning Allah’s Book through memorization of the Qur’an, explanation of its meanings and a better understanding of the Arabic language. The Darul Arqam strives towards using the best of contemporary and traditional methods to educate in a holistic Islamic manor, building strong foundations for students to continue a lifetime of learning.

For many families living here in Mauritania, we often experience great hardship when it comes to finding suitable educational institutions for our children. Either we:

• • Put our children in the contemporary schooling system, either public or private, following the Mauritanian curriculum or French. However, very little importance is given to Islamic studies and proper etiquette.
  • Or send our children to a mahdharah (traditional schools). Al hamdu lillaah, the focus is reciting Quran but too often are these schools being used to send delinquents and dropouts. In addition, students don’t learn any academic subjects.
  • Keep the children at home. It’s great spending quality time with your children. However, most of us aren’t teachers. We don’t have the know-hows, experience, time, nor the equipment to perform a half decent job.

For foreign students coming here to benefit from Mauritania’s rich Islamic heritage:

• • They often come without having any idea of what studying in Mauritania really is. Therefore, they may waste their precious time and money, which can be frustrating.
  • There aren’t any specially designed beginner classes here for foreign students, especially adults. Therefore, students at a beginner level often experience deterring difficulty getting over this hurdle.
  • Husbands have a hard times finding classes for their spouses. It isn’t from the customs of the people here to teach someone else’s wife. The women were either taught by their relatives while growing up or by their husbands in the security of their own homes.

For Mauritania families returning home definitely or indefinitely with children:

• • Your children may experience a language barrier in their “mother country”.
  • Both parent and child may be chastised for not knowing Arabic or Quran as well as locals.

For others:

• • You may just be looking for an area for Muslims to socialize and strengthen their knowledge and faith.

Regardless of the need, the Darul Arqam is here to assist. Learning while being in a safe environment that encourages proper Islamic etiquette and strengthens faith and conviction. We are hoping that those who understand that education starts at a young age, will take the oppurtunity to  participate in our program.

Our website is meant to be a tool of assistance. Providing information about Darul Arqam and Mauritania in general. We also supply information about some traditional schools (Mahdharahs) here in the country. Please make yourself at home, feel free to look around and ask questions.