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Draft:Abdul Quddoos Al-Azhari

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Abdul Quddoos Al-Azhari
Born1953 (age 70–71)
NationalityAustralian
EducationB.A. Bakiyathus Salilath Arabic College
M.A. Darul Uloom University
M.A.Al-Azhar University
G.Dip Northern Territory University
OccupationGrand Mufti of Australia
Known forPresident of Jamiyatu Ulama Australia

Abdul Quddoos Al-Azhari (also spelled Azhari) (Arabic: الازهري) is an Indian-born Sunni Islamic scholar, entrepreneur and Grand Mufti of Australia from April 2021 to April 2024. He is the founder of the Australian International Islamic College[1] and The Qalam Group of Institutions.[1]

He is currently the president of the Jamiyatu Ulama Australia.[2]

He is proficient in English, Hindi, Arabic, Urdu, and Tamil.[2]

Biography

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Abdul Quddoos Azhari was born on February 18, 1953, in Periyapattinam, India.[2]

Academic Pursuits and Scholarly Achievements

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Abdul Quddoos Al-Azhari studied at Al-Azhar University in Egypt, where he earned a Master of Arts in History, Culture, and Civilisation in 1977. Additionally, he obtained an Australian Graduate Diploma in Education from Northern Territory University and an ESL Degree from Massey University in New Zealand.[1]

Work Experience

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Pioneering Initiatives in Fiji and the Pacific Oceania

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After completing his studies in Egypt, Abdul Quddoos Azhari was appointed as a representative of World Islamic Call Society (WICS) by the Libyan Government in Fiji and the South Pacific. He oversaw the construction of Masjids in a number of Pacific nation countries.[2]

Islamic Education in Australia

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Abdul Quddoos Azhari's moved to Darwin and worked as an Imam for a period of time.[3]

He relocated to Brisbane in 1991, where he establish Darul Uloom Academy and Brisbane Muslim School,[4] providing a holistic educational environment grounded in Islamic values and academic excellence.

The Brisbane Muslim school was rebranded the Australian International Islamic College (AIIC). With 5 campuses in Queensland and Northern Territory, the AIIC follows the Australian curriculum (ACARA) and also teaches Islamic education and Arabic studies.[5][6][7]

In 2001 Abdul Quddoos was awarded the Centenary Medal by Prime Minister John Howard for service to the Muslim community in Australia.[8]


As the Grand Mufti of Australia, Abdul Quddoos represented Muslim voices in Australia.[9][10]


Controversies

In March 2019, in a speech to people gathered in Brisbane to pay their respects to the victims of the Christchurch massacre, he said, "CONGRATULATIONS Mr Terrorist, you lost, you failed, we won.”[11][12]

In April 2021, Abdul Quddoos was elected as the Grand Mufti of Australia by AFIC, causing a row with the Australian National Imams Council, which had appointed its own Mufti.[13] The controversy stems from the decision AFIC to reinstitute the position of Grand Mufti, created in 1988 after it was paused following Controversial statements made by the late Sheik Taj El-Din Hilaly. During the period when the position of Mufti was vacated, ANIC decided to appoint its own Mufti for Australia. [14][15][16]

One month into his election as Grand Mufti of Australia, at a Ramadan Iftar dinner organised in Sydney by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils AFIC, Abdul Quddoos gained the irk of the AFIC leadership by suggesting that ANIC is also a legitimate organisation in Australia and that there is nothing wrong with having competition among Muslim organisations.[17]

On 7 May 2024, at the International Conference of Religious Leaders held in Kuala Lumpur, presided by the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Abdul Quddoos called for an intervention to stop the war in Gaza and said “The Genocide is happening before our eyes with the support of major world powers, we must continue to strive with all our efforts to stop the genocide and to bring about justice and reconciliation. I salute all the advocates of peace, especially his excellency Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his most courageous stand on this matter (of Gaza, especially in today’s speech and in his interview with German TV)."[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Message from our founder". Australian International Islamic College. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "President of Jamiyatu Ulama Australia His Eminence Mufti of Australia Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari". Grand Mufti. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  3. ^ Khan, Nibir (16 March 2022). "First Islamic school in the NT opens its doors at Darwin's Berrimah". ABC News. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Darul Uloom Madrasah". Darul Uloom. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  5. ^ Lemke, Laetitia (17 December 2022). "The Northern Territory opened its first Islamic school this year. How did it go?". SBS News. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  6. ^ "New cultural and education partnership with international college". Charles Darwin University Australia. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  7. ^ "The students and school community from the Australian International Islamic College at Durack celebrated a major milestone today with the official opening of their new STEM building". The Courier Mail. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Australian Honours Search Facility". Australian Government. 1 January 2001. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Statement from the National Grand Mufti of Australia The Most Eminent Sheikh Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari (English & Arabic)". Australian Federation of Islamic Councils. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  10. ^ Mezher, Sylva; Hassan, Fares (14 April 2021). "Australia now has two grand muftis as rival Muslim bodies square off". SBS News. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  11. ^ https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/queensland/hundreds-gather-to-remember-victims-of-christchurch-massacre/news-story/cf1166d19973dc5d7a14e9d2e6590599
  12. ^ https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southwest/islamic-college-leaders-give-message-of-tolerance-to-students/news-story/f6e87e424116cab33a492ab9eff4453d
  13. ^ "Surprise over Australia's two Grand Muftis". 9 April 2021.
  14. ^ https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/national/muslim-factions-warring-over-hilalys-naming-as-grand-mufti/news-story/cdcc11173d489bdc21e3ce2c5dd6a78d
  15. ^ "Jusoor Post » Why does Australia have two muftis?".
  16. ^ https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/muslim-factions-warring-over-hilalys-naming-as-grand-mufti/news-story/cdcc11173d489bdc21e3ce2c5dd6a78d
  17. ^ "The Middle East Times - International".
  18. ^ "Sheikh al Azhari calls for intervention in Gaza". 9 May 2024.