Yesterday, His Excellency Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, President of Umm Al-Qura University, received a guide to the scientific theses discussed by the College of Shari`ah and Islamic Studies between 1392 and 1438 A.H. from the Dean of the College, Dr Ra'id Al-Usaimi. This took place in the presence of the Vice Dean of the College, Dr. Mamduh Al-Salmi; the designer of the guide, Dr. Ashraf Al-Kinani; and the Managing Director of the College, Ibrahim Al-Ahmadi.

His Excellency the UQU President stated that the guide will be a scientific reference for postgraduate students at the College of Shari`ah and Islamic Studies, and will contribute to providing them with qualitative knowledge. Dr. Ra'id Al-Usaimi said, "The guide outlines the scientific theses discussed in the master's and doctorate degrees attained from the College of Shari`ah and Islamic Studies at Umm Al-Qura University in the 46-years since the first master's thesis was discussed in 1392 A.H. to the last thesis discussed in 1438 A.H."

Dr. Ashraf Al-Kinani, the designer of the guide, pointed out that the guide includes the following scientific disciplines affiliated to the College of Shari`ah since its establishment until now:  Fiqh (Jurisprudence), the Principles of Jurisprudence, `Aqidah (Islamic Creed), Hadith, Tafseer (Qur'an Interpretation), Islamic History, Islamic Civilization, Arabic Linguistics, Grammar, Classical Arabic Rhetoric, and Literature.

It is worth noting that there are 2320 scientific theses in the guide, which is printed in two volumes of 1228 pages. The first PhD thesis in the Kingdom was discussed at the College of Shari`ah at Umm Al-Qura University on 26 Safar, 1398 A.H., corresponding to 4 February 1978. It was entitled:  "Hukm Al-Ijarah Al-Waridah Ala Amal Al-Insan" and was presented by researcher Dr. Sharaf bin Ali Al-Sharif under the supervision of His Excellency Prof. Husain Hamid Hassan. It was discussed by His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah ibn Hameed, Head of the Supreme Judicial Council at that time, and His Excellency Prof. Muhammad Fayid, President of Al-Azhar University at that time.