Darul Uloom Newcastle

South Africa's first formal institute of higher Islamic studies ('mother of all Darul Ulooms'), teaching in English; founded by Moulana Cassim Mohammed Sema (1920–2007) with Haji Moosa Vawda, Ismail Patel and A.H. Moola in a former Catholic convent. Produced 700+ ulama; closely linked to the Tabligh effort and among the first to teach Shafi'i fiqh. Runs hifz, foundation, Alim and a three-year Ifta course (language, adab, then Ifta subjects); publishes Q&A articles on its site (many by Mufti AK Hoosen). No dedicated fatwa-submission form found.

Founded: Initiated 1971; officially opened 13 May 1973 (classes from 9 Sept 1973)

Scholars

• CM

  Moulana Cassim Mohammed Sema (rahimahullah) (1920–2007)

  Founder, Darul Uloom Newcastle

  Born 12 May 1920; served 23 years in Wasbank before returning to Newcastle as madrasah principal in 1968, and had sought since 1946 to found a boarding institution. With three lay partners he opened the Darul Uloom in 1973, teaching all classes alone for its first three years while his wife cooked for the students. He was also among the founding members of Jamiatul Ulama Natal (1955); died 9 June 2007 aged 87.

  Source
• IE

  Moulana Ismail Ebrahim Akoo

  Principal, Darul Uloom Newcastle; trustee

  Listed as Principal and trustee; also the Newcastle district representative on the Jamiatul Ulama KZN executive. No teacher/lineage details published on the pages fetched.

  Source
• AH

  Mufti AK Hoosen

  Ustadh (20+ years), Darul Uloom Newcastle; author of many Q&A articles

  Signs Q&A pieces on the Darul Uloom site as 'Mufti AK Hoosen, Ustaad Darul Uloom Newcastle, 20 years'. Not on the current staff list; no further biography found.

  Source