Markaz Al-Fatih Al-Islamiy marks 25 years of faith, learning and transformation
By Ahmed Idriss
Markaz Al-Fatih Al-Islamiy has marked 25 years since its founding, celebrating a journey that began with just 30 learners and has grown into a regional center of Islamic and academic learning attracting students from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The institution was founded by Sheikh Salim bin Ahmed Bin Twayib BaaJabir, who established the Markaz with a vision of nurturing both religious and moral education. The first cohort graduated in 2006, receiving their certificates directly from the founder.
Over the years, the Markaz has expanded its academic scope beyond traditional Islamic studies. A key turning point came in 2012 when Sheikh Salim, while travelling through an airport en route to Yemen, encountered two girls who were unable to complete English travel forms due to language barriers. The experience prompted the introduction of English language instruction at the institution, which later evolved into a broader inclusion of secular studies aimed at equipping learners with complete education.
STRENGTHENING ACADEMIC PATHWAYS
Speaking during the celebrations, Principal Sheikh Feiruz Ibn Qutbi Shah Alhussainy reflected on the institution’s evolving mission.
He noted that the anniversary was organized after realizing that many students were not progressing to higher levels of education after completing their studies at the Markaz.
“We realized that when our students leave here and are appointed Imams or to any position they feel comfortable and stop pursuing further studies,” he said.
He added that the institution has since recorded progress, with at least 13 alumni advancing to universities such as the University of Nairobi, Islamic University in Uganda, Jomo Kenyatta University, and Kenyatta University, graduating in different disciplines.
“Today’s celebration will be different; we want our alumni to drive this event wherever they deem fit,” he added.
Alumni reflect on transformation
One of the alumni, Zain Feruz, who studied at the Markaz before joining the Islamic University in Uganda, described the institution as a foundation of both academic and moral transformation.
“When hearts become sincere and united,
even the barren desert blooms with branches of protection and safety.
So thank you to everyone who traveled the distances. Thank you to everyone who responded to the call.”
Another alumnus, Osman Yahya, who later graduated from the Islamic University in Uganda, described the Markaz as a life-shaping institution.
He said his journey at the school between 2008 and 2014 shaped his academic direction, discipline, and purpose.
“It is no longer an idea. It is a living legacy, reflected in every graduate, every teacher, and every success story associated with Al-Fatih Moslem School. I stand before you not only as a graduate but as a product of a system that began to shape me from the year 2008 to 2014, a period that for me was not just about schooling but transformation. When I first joined Al-Markaz Al Fatih Islamiy in 2008, I came as a young student with curiosity but without a clear understanding. Step by step, year after year, the institution began to shape me academically and morally,” he said.
“By the time I completed my studies in 2014, I was not the same person who joined. I had developed discipline, clarity of purpose, and deeper understanding about education and my faith. Those six years were foundational. They taught me how to think, how to learn, and more importantly, how to carry responsibilities, ” he added.
He emphasized that the institution’s success is anchored in direction, discipline, and devotion to values that integrate Islamic teachings with academic excellence.
