Association of Traditional Islamic Institutes
BACKGROUND TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC INSTITUTES IN SOUTH AFRICA
Traditional Islamic Institutes (also known as Darul Uloom, Madrasah & Jaamiah) were established in South Africa from the early 1950’s. During the apartheid era, only local South African students enrolled at these institutions. However, since 1994, after South Africa’s transition to democracy, there was a steady influx of foreign students to our shores. Post 1994, our democratic country attracted many students from all corners of the globe.
VISA ISSUE
SA, the preferred destination
Since 1994, when many students from around the world made South Africa their destination of choice to acquire Islamic education, the Department of Home Affairs readily issued applicants study permits to study at our Institutes.
Documentation process
Upon submission of the required documentation, a study visa was promptly issued. Renewal of study visas was also achieved with ease. Until May 2014, due to having direct access to the Department of Home Affairs, problems encountered with applications were discussed directly with the managers or director generals, and were swiftly resolved.
New legislation
In June 2014, VFS offices opened and the new immigration legislation was simultaneously implemented. This resulted in there being little or no access to Home Affairs officials and personnel. Furthermore, we suddenly encountered a mass rejection of applications, both at South African embassies abroad as well as from the VFS centres. The reason cited for the rejection was that our Institutes were not registered with the Department of Higher Education.
Formation of ATII
In March 2016, the Department of Home Affairs was approached to assist us in resolving the visa issue.
The DHA then asked that first an umbrella body be formed to represent all the Traditional Islamic Institutes (Darul Ulooms, Madrasahs & Jaamiahs) as it will be cumbersome to discuss with individual Institutes.
ATII Tasks
This body will also play an oversight and regulatory role for Traditional Islamic Institutes in terms of the visa regulations. Thus, ATII was formed. ATII then had extensive deliberations and discussions with the Department of Home Affairs which resulted in the Department of Home Affairs issuing ATII with two waivers
Waivers
The Department of Home Affairs granted ATII the following two waivers:
- Immigration Directive No. 24 of 2016
- Immigration Directive No. 17 of 2018
Both these waivers were given for a two-year period respectively.
Registration
Skills Development Provider
As the second waiver was to end in December 2020, ATII made an application during the latter part of 2019 with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupation (QCTO) to be a skills development provider in order to offer the Muallim course (SAQA ID: 104801).
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ATII Registered
ATII was successfully registered as a skills development provider by QCTO on 02-01-2020 with accreditation reference number SDP1220/20/00100.
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Affiliates
As at January 2021, ATII has 46 Affiliates and represents a total of approximately 4000 learners.
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Affiliates List- January 2021
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Disclaimer
The Association of Traditional Islamic institutes (ATII) is an umbrella body of institutes of higher Islamic learning (also known as Darul Ulooms, Madrasahs & Jaamiahs). The ATII was formed as a requirement of the Department of Home Affairs to facilitate the visa issue for the Traditional Islamic Institutes
The function of the ATII is currently confined to the coordinating of the issuance of visas only. The ATII does not have any other mandate or powers to oversee any aspect of its affiliates. Hence, affiliation to the ATII does not guarantee any of the following, nor does the ATII bear any responsibility for the same:
- The detail program and curriculum of any affiliate,
- The standard and quality of education imparted at an affiliated institution,
- The terms and conditions for enrollment and the rules and regulations of affiliates,
- The school of thought that any member institute subscribes to,
- Any other aspect related to the day to day running of the institute, etc.
Any person applying to any affiliated institute through the ATII website should make his/her own enquiries and determine whether the institution he/she wishes to enroll at is suitable to pursue his aspirations to acquire Higher Islamic education.