Praise be to Allah Who created the Pen and the Preserved Slate to link the reading with the creation of human beings. He Says: (Read: In the Name of your Lord Who Created man from clots.) Also, Allah used pen to swear saying in the Holy Quran: (I swear by the pen and what they inscribe.) He dropped a clear distinction between who knows and who knows nothing when He Says: (Say, "Are the ones who know equal to the ones who do not know?" Surely only the ones endowed with intellects would remind themselves.), Praise and peace also be upon Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and companions:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pays special care for the education of Islamic studies as one of the main courses that qualify students to defend Islam against smearing campaigns launched in some places. The Kingdom's policy is part of a plan to confront the intellectual invasion that target different aspects of our lives.

The progress and stability of a nation can only be attained through sound minds and thoughts that depend on the strength of bonds to religion, civilization and trust in Imams and leaders.

Given that the national security in general is meant to maintain safety of the political, military, economic and social potentials via strategic plans, the intellectual security goes beyond these borders as a critical foundation for the security of the homeland against foreign and internal destabilizers.

No doubt, the Islamic Shari'ah laws are there for protection of five aspects or dimensions including the Protection of self (or life), Protection of faith, Protection of wealth, Protection of intellect and Protection of progeny to achieve the good for all.

So, the protection of intellect and mind is a priority for Islam. Hence, deterrent penalties, including the death sentence, were preordained to save these rights.

The intellectual security becomes a reality when the state manages to protect its citizens from piracy, sway of foreign culture and globalization sneakers that make one community's values and principles unsteady. Therefore, the citizens can feel assured on their characteristics and culturally distinguished by a scheme of rules and essences that stem from the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

Today, scientific forums and seminars focus on the development, quality and product improvement to cope with the labor market's needs and to meet the aspirations of everybody.

To that end, the Department of Islamic Studies developed itself and bettered its courses to scientifically qualify students who can work and serve their community with the due competency and efficiency.

After a series of meetings and mini-workshops held at the Al-Qunfudhah University College, the teaching staff found that the first step to develop the department is to improve its courses. The development is an attempt to improve quality of graduates to be up to the latest advancements.

Accordingly, the department has taken the necessary steps to provide its courses in a new shape and get over the high pace of the professional and social knowledge development in Saudi Arabia. We hope such efforts may meet the needs for the community's needs and continue building on the experience gained over the past years.

Division Head