From the start, Azharul Uloom has been a residential college for boys, where learning continues well beyond the classroom.
Each student's character is shaped by the academic work of the classroom and by the life around it: shared hostel life, talks at the masjid, the library, societies and clubs, training camps and meetings with eminent guests.
Beyond the timetable, Azhar students run language clubs, publish a magazine, debate in their own parliament, perform on stage and train to deliver the Friday khutba. Each activity is guided by the departments and woven into college life.
To build real command of language, the Arabic, English and Urdu departments each run a language club. Students read, write and speak in the language through book discussions, literary sessions, speech practice and book releases, so that fluency grows through use and not through study alone.
Twice a year, students convene a parliament that follows a written constitution, with a speaker, a prime minister, an opposition leader and a secretary. Members debate Islamic questions in the light of today's world, learning to read them in context, argue from evidence and respect the rules of debate.
Every year students write, edit and design the college magazine. It sharpens their skills as writers while they engage with the intellectual, social, cultural and political questions of their time. The annual magazine has won second prize in the college magazine competition of the Higher Education Board.
The Friday khutba plays a central role in giving direction to the Muslim community. To prepare students to deliver it with knowledge, clarity and confidence, practice khutbas are held twice every week.
Sargolsavam, the college arts festival, draws out the creative and literary gifts of every student. Around fifty events are held on stage and off stage, giving each student a place to write, speak and perform.
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