Arabic College

Arabic Colleges in southern India refer to the educational institutes of higher Islamic learning. They are sometimes also known as Oriental Title Colleges in Kerala, and they are the near equivalent of north Indian madrasas. Graduates from Arabic Colleges can sit privately for the state recognized "Afzal-ul-Ulama" credential, which qualifies them to serve as Arabic Language teachers in state educational institutions.

A madrasa in Kerala is an extra-curricular institution where children receive basic Islamic education.

There are mainly two types of Arabic Colleges in Kerala—the 'traditionalist' Shafi'ite Arabic Colleges and the Salafi Movement-inspired Colleges. Most of the colleges come under the first category.

Arabic Colleges (based on funding and affiliation)


 * Government Grant Aided & State University Affiliated Arabic Colleges (Oriental Title Colleges)
 * Unaided & State University Affiliated Arabic Colleges
 * Unaided & Non-affiliated Arabic Colleges

Programmes offered
Source: Government of Kerala University of Calicut

In Government Grant Aided Arabic Colleges affiliated to State Universities

Higher Secondary level

 * Afzal-ul-Ulama Preliminary

Undergraduate Degree level (Bachelor of Arts or Commerce)

 * Afzal-ul-Ulama
 * Functional Arabic.
 * Economics with Islamic Finance
 * English with Islamic History
 * Islamic Finance

Post Graduate level (Master of Arts)

 * Post Afzal-ul-Ulama
 * Islamic Finance
 * Arabic

Government Aided Arabic Colleges (Oriental Title Colleges)
Source: Government of Kerala University of Calicut

Unaided and Non-affiliated Arabic Colleges
Source: University of Kerala (doctoral thesis, 2011)


 * Al Jamia, Santhapuram, Malappuram
 * Markazu Al Saqafathu Sunniyya, Karanthur, Kozhikode
 * Darul Huda Islamic University, Chemmad, Malappuram
 * Jamia Nooriyya Arabiyya, Pattikkad, Malappuram
 * Jamia Nadviyya, Edavananna, Malappuram
 * Ilahiyya College, Thirurkad, Malappuram
 * Islahiya College, Chennamangaloor, Kozhikkode
 * Jamia Salafiyya, Pulikkal, Malppuram
 * Islamiyya College, Vadanappally, Trichur