In East Africa with its diversity in religion, race, customs and traditions the Muslim Academy at Riyadha Mosque is located in the East Coast of Kenya, Lamu to be specific. The Academy was founded by the renown Muslim Scholar Habib Swaleh bin Alwy Jamaluleil in the year 1310 which has ever since been an epitome of Islamic values and principles.

The Academy is monumental since it is known to be the first Islamic Educational Institute of its own in Kenya and the whole of East Africa in general. The Institute reins are presided by Sayyid Hussein Badawy who is the late founder's grandson and is assisted by his younger brother Sayyid Ahmad Ahmad Badawy ( Mwenyebaba)

Most Importantly the Muslim Academy at Riyadha Mosque is a self-directed institute for the main purpose of Teaching Islam, Propagating the religion and resistance to atheism/ polytheism. Also in the propagation of the doctrine of the righteous predecessors, Islamic upbringing of the children and preparing them to serve as Allah's soldiers against his enemies and to raise preachers that defend Islam against all kinds of skeptics and infidels.

Outcomes/results

Since its inception, the Institute has produced a large number of Qadhis, Muftis, teachers, and preachers. It has also contributed to the spread of Madaaris (islamic schools) in Kenya for example:

  1. Madrasatul Najah Al-Islamiyyah - Lamu , Kenya.
  2. Madrasatul Falah Al-Islamiyyah - Mombasa, Kenya : which was initially a madrasa(school) of Quran memorization only but later Sayyid Ali bin Ahmad Badawy intergrated it to a full madrasa by adding to its curriculum other complemetary and necessary Islamic studies and Arabic courses.
  3. Madrasatul Badawy - Kizingitini , Lamu , Kenya.
  4. Madrasatul Nur Al-Islamiyyah - Mambrui , Kenya.

There are other madaris' (schools) which were established out of Kenya for example:

  1. Madrasatul Badawy - Darsalam , Tanzania.
  2. Madrasatul Hayat Al-Islamiyyah - Kampala , Uganda.
  3. Madrasatul Nur Al-Islamiyyah - Kisimayu , Somalia.

It is not exaggeration to say that the fruits and production of this institute has spread throughout East Africa, both directly and indirectly. The Institute currently has about 100 students who come from other towns within East Africa and from Lamu County. Students are provided for free meals, Accomodation and other necessities, its doors are open to all muslims as the funds to cater for these students comes from donars and the Institute's endowments, despite the fact that these do not even sufficiently cater for their needs.

Our Activities

The Institute organizes Club activities such as Da'awah, Peer Counselling, Quran memorization, Sunnah, Library club ,Literary, Sports club and others. Each student must belong to at least one Club of his choice.The clubs are run by a team of passionate teachers with a students’ leadership structure. Members of the club meet once a week. Reports on Clubs activities may be followed from noticeboards, assemblies, and magazines. A club is expected to have at least one out of campus excursion in every semester .Students are encouraged to join one of the many exciting clubs and activities that the Academy has to offer. Our clubs and activities are a great way for our students to interact and break out of their shell as they offer a chance for our students to come together over a common passion and develop a social circle.

The Institute also organizes Da'awa trips inside and outside the country. The trips are purposely to call people to Allah. In these trips, there are meetings with other Muslims to discuss and guide each other through the path of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is the Institute's mandate to ensure every activity is provided with required materials and intellectual assistance.

The Institute's management is currently considering a unified curriculum across Kenya in all Islamic school at different levels.

The academy has three levels:

  1. Lower Primary (5 years of study)
  2. Upper primary (3 years of study)
  3. Secondary level (2 years of study)