Rihla to Mecca, Taif & Madinah - July 5th - 29th 2008/1429
The Rihla Program for the summer of 2008 has been scheduled for July 5th - 29th, insha'Allah, in the cities of the Two Sanctuaries. Exact dates will posted shortly as currently they are being coordinated with available flight schedules. The Deen Intensive Foundation welcomes prospective students to apply to this special enhanced educational program.
Location
The program insha'Allah will be held in Saudi Arabia within the cities of Taif, Madinah, and Mecca. The program include approximately 3 days in Mecca, 9 days in Taif and 12 days in Madinah. Details on the schedule shall be posted in the next few days. All accommodations within these cities are minimum four-star hotels.
Curriculum
The program will have a comprehensive schedule in which times for intensive study, tours, and worship are carefully integrated. Classes will include the key subjects in the areas of the Prophet's biography (sirah), spiritual excellence (ihsan) and other essential sciences for healthy Muslim development. Some of the classes will be eligible for credit towards of the Deen Intensive Foundation Certification program. Integrated into this year's curriculum will be sirah-centricseerah-centric visits to various historical sites in the two holy cities. This provides students with the unique opportunity to experience the very places they are learning about in their classes.
It is important to note that this program is an educational intensive. Participants will be students with intense schedules which revolve around the educational objectives of the program. Accommodations will also be made in the schedule for private worship time for students.
Upon acceptance to the program, students will receive a complete acceptance package including course materials, pre-recorded sessions on CD (as preparatory material) and detailed schedules of classes and tours of the Holy Cities.
Confirmed teachers are:
- Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah
- Shaykh Abdallah al-Kadi
- Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad
- Ustadh Abdel Hadi Honerkamp
- Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
- Ustadh Yahya Rhodus
Cost and Travel
The program cost for this year is $3150 USD for
the land package which includes:
- Course material
- Hotel accommodations (minimum 4 star)
- Daily Meals
- All transportation within Saudi Arabia
The above mentioned are covered for the duration of the program.
Flight costs are not included and vary from your country of origin. Deen Intensive Foundation has designated travel agencies in the US, Canada and the UK which will coordinate the groups travel from these three regions. Flight confirmations will only occur once you have received an official notice of acceptance from the Deen Intensive Foundation Rihla Committee. Also, please remember that depending on your country of origin your departure date may vary.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application process will be open to all eligible students until April 15th, 2008, which is the deadline for application submission. Because of the high demand for the program, applications are reviewed on a first-come first-serve basis, so it is recommended to apply as soon as possible.
Applicants must be:
- Muslim
- At least 18 years of age
- Have a passport/green card from either the US, UK or Canada
Once a student receives an official acceptance letter, he/she will be given more information about flight booking, and they will have to submit their full course fees within 2 weeks (of acceptance notification). After April 15th, all course fees are non-refundable. Course material and details will be sent after full program fee payment has been completed.
INQUIRIES
BEFORE YOU SEND AN INQUIRY, PLEASE READ THE FAQs BELOW
For all Rihla inquiries please email di.rihla@gmail.com. Please clearly state all comments and/or questions and you will insha’Allah receive a reply as soon as possible. Due to the volume of interest in the program, please keep your questions brief and succinct to avoid delays in response. Please remember to include your name in the email, as it may not be apparent from your email address.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
When will I be notified of my acceptance?
The Deen Intensive Foundation, Rihla Committee will be working diligently to review and process all applications. We expect hundreds of applicants and will notify everyone of their status no later than May 1st, 2008, which is two weeks after the application deadline of April 15. Keep in mind that we work on rolling admission, so please apply as early as possible. Accepted applicants will be notified by email.
What is the acceptance criteria?
Eligible applicants include Muslim men and women of at least 18 years of age. Exceptions in the area of age are very rare. The Rihla Committee is looking for mature, dynamic men and women who maintain a commitment and respect the traditional Islamic sciences. The application is designed for the Rihla Committee members to have a well-rounded understanding of the students who are applying.
Decisions are not based on level of knowledge per se but rather if the applicant exudes a level of maturity and discipline necessary to fully appreciate the intensive educational aspect of the program (and not only the other aspects of the program). For this particular Rihla, applicants with experience in Deen Intensive type programs in the past will be given preference. The Rihla Committee reserves the right to follow-up the written application with a phone interview. All applications details are kept strictly confidential. All decisions made by the committee are final.
If I applied last year, do I need to apply again this year or can I activate my last year’s application?
The application this year has been modified. Essay questions have been replaced with simple listing of background information. All applicants must fully complete this year’s application and submit it accordingly.
Are children allowed to come to the program?
No. Because of the intensive nature of the program, the Rihla Committee strongly advises against small children attending the program. We understand this may pose difficulties on young families wishing to participate. However, we feel this is in the best interest of all the students.
Are scholarship funds available?
Scholarship funding is available on a very limited scale. Full scholarships will not be granted. We realize that many prospective students have financial hardship, but hosting such programs is fiscally challenging. We strongly encourage students to appeal to their local communities for sponsorship funds and assistance. For those interested in financial aid, please refer to the application and complete the portion designated under scholarships and financial assistance.
I can pay the tuition, but not all at once. What are the terms for this arrangement?
Students can arrange for a tuition payment plan. Details and terms will be at the discretion of the Rihla Committee. All terms will be stipulated in a formal contract between the student and Deen Intensive Foundation. Students must complete the details of their financial aid requirement in the designated are on the application.
What if I am a resident of a country other than the US, Canada or the UK?
We appreciate applicants from other countries and encourage their applications. However, travel and visa issues are the main challenges. Each application will be reviewed on an individual basis and will be subject to acceptance and denial based on the discretion of the Rihla Committee. Deen Intensive Foundation will not take the responsibility for visas and flights of those students residing outside of the three designated regions.
Will women be able to travel to Saudi Arabia without a Mahram (male guardian)?
As a part of the Rihla 2008 group, Muslim women with no accompanying mahram will receive special permission to travel with the group and participate in the program, insha'Allah. Due to past difficulties, we are working more diligently that no visas are delayed. It is still always preferred that those women who can participate with a qualified mahram, do so.
If I participated in last year's Rihla to Madinah Program, can I still apply to this year's program?
Applications from students who did not have the opportunity to attend the last three years will have top priority. Those students who participated in the previous programs are still welcome to apply. The Rihla Committee will do its best insha'Allah to ensure a fair and judicious selection process without bias and prejudice. Keep in mind the selection process is a collective process from the Rihla Committee members and is not at the discretion of only one person.
Can I come for part of the program or temporarily leave the program to visit family and/or friends?
Partial participation in the Rihla program will not be permitted. Students who wish to visit family or friends in the area must do so before or after the program on their own time. No exceptions will be made as this can be disruptive to the flow of the program.
I am coming with my spouse and would like our accommodation to be together.
Spouses may room together during the program. A nominal surcharge will be added to the tuition payment (land package) to meet this request.