The Islamic University of Madinah is a premier global institution of higher education. It sits in the heart of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia. The university has served students and communities worldwide since 1964. It combines Islamic studies with modern scientific disciplines under one roof.

Clearly, this is not just a university. It is a global beacon of knowledge, faith, and cultural excellence.

About the University

The Islamic University of Madinah is a Saudi government institution. It is registered with the Digital Government Authority (DGA) under license number 20260406219. The university sits on the banks of Wadi al-Aqeeq. It is just 10 kilometers from the Prophet’s Mosque in the western part of Madinah.

The university’s mission is simple but powerful:

Promote Islamic knowledge globally
Create a positive impact in communities
Commit to excellence and inclusivity
Bring together Sharia sciences and applied disciplines

Furthermore, the university is often called “Saudi Arabia’s Gift to the World.” This title reflects its deep commitment to serving Muslims and scholars across the globe.

Academic Programs

The Islamic University of Madinah offers a wide range of academic programs. These programs serve both local and international students at every level.

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor’s Degree (Regular, On-Campus)
Bachelor’s Degree (Distance Learning)

Postgraduate Programs

Master’s Degree
Doctoral (PhD) Programs
Advanced Diploma

Training Programs

Short and intensive courses
Professional skills development
Aligned with current job market needs

Moreover, the university blends Islamic Sharia studies with modern scientific specializations. This makes it a unique academic destination for students seeking faith-based and career-ready education.

Scholarships

The Islamic University of Madinah offers fully funded scholarships from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These scholarships cover:

Bachelor’s Degree programs
Master’s Degree programs
Doctoral programs

Both local residents and international students are eligible. Indeed, this makes higher education accessible to qualified students from all over the world.

Accreditation and Recognition

The Islamic University of Madinah holds strong academic credentials. These credentials confirm its high educational standards.

Unconditional institutional accreditation
Programmatic accreditation for 24 academic programs
ABET accreditation for the Faculties of Computing and Engineering
Ranked 10th among 53 government and private universities in Saudi Arabia

Clearly, this level of accreditation reflects the university’s dedication to global academic excellence.

Awards and Achievements

The university has earned multiple prestigious awards and records:

Guinness World Record for classroom diversity, with more than 170 nationalities in its classrooms
Madinah Award for Outstanding Government Performance (2024) for Excellence in Local Content Development (1st Place)
Gold Medal at the Madinah Government Performance Award for project execution and monitoring
2nd Place in promoting mental health among Saudi universities

Additionally, the university achieved second place in promoting mental health across Saudi universities. This shows its commitment to student well-being, not just academic results.

Cultural Diversity

The Islamic University of Madinah is one of the most diverse campuses in the world. Here is what makes it stand out:

Students from more than 180 countries
Over 50 global languages spoken on campus
More than 170 nationalities in classrooms (Guinness Record)
Over 112,000 graduates since 1964

In addition, the university holds the Cultures and Peoples Festival. This annual event reaches its 14th edition in 2026. It brings together students from over 90 countries to celebrate their heritage. The festival aims to attract 1 million visitors and align with Saudi Vision 2030.

Library and Knowledge Resources

The university library is a major academic resource. It holds more than 75,000 titles. Both university members and the wider Madinah community benefit from this collection.

Notably, the library supports research in both Islamic sciences and applied disciplines. It serves students, faculty, and the local community equally.

Notable Alumni

The Islamic University of Madinah has produced leaders who shaped the Muslim world. Here are a few examples:

Dr. Thulkifl al-Bakri: Minister of Islamic Affairs in Malaysia. Translated Sahih al-Bukhari into Malay. Authored works on moderation and anti-extremism.
Dr. Saeed Shaheem Ali: Minister of Islamic Affairs in the Maldives. Founded multiple Islamic institutions. Contributed to international Sharia conferences.
Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Luh: Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Union of African Scholars. Expert in Aqidah and Hadith sciences from Senegal.

Most importantly, these graduates carry the university’s message of knowledge and moderation to every corner of the world.

Conferences and Events

The university regularly hosts international events. These events support scholarly dialogue and community engagement.

Recent and upcoming highlights include:

International Conference on Arabic Language and Applied Sciences: Focused on integrating Arabic with AI and applied technology
Alumni Forum for Saudi Graduates: A platform for knowledge exchange and career development
Cultures and Peoples Festival (14th Edition, 2026): A global cultural celebration by students from 90+ countries

Key Online Portals

The university offers several digital services for students and staff:

E-Services Portal: eservices.iu.edu.sa
Educational Portal: eduportal.iu.edu.sa
Employment Portal: emp.iu.edu.sa
Badir Innovation Platform: initiatives.iu.edu.sa/badir
Support System (Tawasul): helpdesk.iu.edu.sa
Virtual Campus Tour: Available at iu.edu.sa

Why Choose the Islamic University of Madinah?

There are many reasons students from across the world choose this institution:

Located in the most spiritually significant city in Islam
Combines Islamic studies with science, engineering, and computing
Full government scholarships for international students
Globally accredited programs including ABET certification
A campus community representing 180+ nations
Proven graduate impact across ministerial and scholarly roles worldwide

Above all, the university stands as a place where faith and knowledge grow together. It serves both the individual student and the global Muslim community.