As-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaah
I had been been avoiding writing stuff about studying Arabic in Cairo on my blog for some time now – mainly because alhamdulillah there’s so much information out there already. But it’s been suggested & I figured that yeah, it would be better than me responding to every email and enquiry! So insha’Allah I’ll try to place up tips, general info and some help for all you budding students who wish to travel to Cairo, for some Arabic studies (and of course, kushri) 
All posts related to this topic will be gathered here (and posted up in no particular order), so watch this space!
The Need to Return to Arabic
Accomodation and Finance
Public or Private study?
(a funny observation on Taxi-life in Egypt by one of my ex-room mates)
(quite a detailed review also by an ex-room mate)
(a new and growing website dedicated to providing information on studying in Egypt to those coming from the West – run mainly by students at Al-Azhar University)
asalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh,
perhaps my question seems dumb and the answer may be obvious to everyone but i need to know this.
is it possible for girls to go study overseas (for islamic education) without a mahram? i mean if i was to go to another country and in that country i have no mahram or even a non mahram relative residing there. perhaps my dad takes me to the country and then he comes back home while i stay there alone. is this possible? does it vary from country to country?
Wa `alaykumusalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh
No question is too dumb sis!
As far as I know, the restriction is placed mainly on travel.
Regarding residence however, some of the scholars have said that a woman’s mahram may leave her in a foreign country (for purposes of education etc) if he deems it safe and secure. Some countries e.g. Saudi have their law which governs and requires presence of mahram during the stay, however most countries don’t.
Personally, I travel with my father/brothers and they go back whilst I stay with relatives or friends. Although I have to say that it’s a lot better to stay with people that you know especially if you’re new to the country and don’t speak the language. I wouldn’t advice you to stay alone at all, try to live with somebody (either relatives/friend or other students from the school/institute that you’ll go to). May Allaah make it easy for you & us!
salamalaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh,
jazakAllaah for your quick responce and advice. I had heard that it wasn’t possible for girls to stay alone in a country so I wanted to get that cleared up a bit whether it’s true or not. JazakAllaah again for your help.
I can’t wait to read ‘the need to return to arabic’ …
as-salamu ‘alaykum
Daisy, I think you would like to get a scholar to answer that question for you. I don’t have knowledge on the subject, but it should definitely be looked into.
Asalaamualykum ukhtee, jazakiAllahu khayr for the extremely beneficial blog
A Muslim students guide to Egypt
http://www.dhikrullah.com/egypt/
Its more for brothers as its written by a group of brothers who have “been there done that” so to speak and studied arabic and quran in Egypt so posting for the benefit of others inshaAllah ta3la.BarakAllahu feekum.
Wa `alaykumusalam wa rahmatullah
Amin, wa iyyakum
Barakallahu feek for the link, very interesting and well-planned out masha’Allah. I hope it benefits many future students!
as-Salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh,
Ukhtee, I would like to study @ fajr centre for about 3 months at the end of this year insha Allaah. Can you please give me advice as to whether 3 months is enough to become semi-fluent in ‘arabi and how much that would cost, etc. Please contact me on my email, which is: [edit]
I would probably forget to follow up comments on the blog and i find email communication easier.
baarak Allaahu feeki
as-Salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh,
I was wondering if Fajr Center is a good place to learn Colloquial.My friend and I are going to attend Summer intensive Fus’ha program from June 25th–Aug 23rd.We also want to
enroll in Colloquial Arabic in the afternoon. Is it going to have time conflict between these two programs? Also, if my friend and I want to
just have one tutor for the Colloquial, does it cost as one person?
i know a great place to learn colloqial for FREE – the streeets! i wouldnt advise learning colloqial and especially paying to learn it. but if u really want to just talk to the locals.
I’ve never done colloquial Arabic with any center but Abu Hafitha is right, you can pick it up from friends and general dealings with people (if you mix with them a lot)…
It’s not really advisable learning the Fusha and ‘Aamiyyah together as it can mess up with your progress and concentration. Learn the Fusha first, then move onto the ‘Aamiyyah.
You’ll be given a discount if you do semi-private (2ppl), but not a full cut of one person as far as I know.
As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum,
Its Natashah here. Hope all is well sis Inshaa’Allah. I had a bit of a query, my cousin, he is coming to cairo Inshaa’Allah this Tuesdays and will be studying with Fajr Institute. The problem is that he needs a place to stay. Do you know any places with a good deal.
JazakAllah
Wa `alaykumusalam wa rahmatullah
Hey Natashah, hope you’re doing good too.
Unfortunately I don’t know of any flats going at the moment for brothers. But I’ll email you a contact for some emergency place to crash in since your cousin is coming this Tuesday. Hope it works out for him insha’Allah.
Asalamu wa alaykum
could you tell me what would be a rough budget for 6-12 months studying arabic in cairo for a couple?? My background iv completed madina book 3….
JAzakallahu khair.
Wa `alaykumusalam wa rahmatullah
Syed, it’s really difficult to say as everyone’s expenditure is so different. The best way to go about it is:
- See what the standard fees are at your desired institute
- Work out the fees based on the length of your stay and the no. of levels you think you’ll need to do (include additional costs, books, registration etc).
- Work out rent and bills
- Estimate your general expenditure and then add some more for emergency (sometimes you just don’t know where the money goes!)
Assalamu ‘alaykum
I have a question, which I hope you can help me with. I have taught myself arabic, to the level where I can understand Qur’an, Hadith, books of scholars, and can follow khutbas. However, due to the nature of my study, my conversation skills are lacking, a lot. So, if I was to go to Cairo to study arabic, what would you recommend as the best course to proceed with?
jazakillah khayr
Wa `alaykumusalam wa rahmatullah
Well done for getting that far already. If you just wish to focus on improving your speaking skills, you can go to any of the centers and ask about their ‘Muhadatha’ programs (conversational courses). It’ll just be a case of going to class and speaking for hours, writing and discussing topics etc, until your speaking is up to the level you want.
Check out the post and comments on ‘Which Institute?’ for some pointers.
Assalamu’alaykum wrwb
Anyone know of any sisters looking for a Flatmate/s in Nasr Area? InshAllah Somewhere with AC please! Please leave your email address with sis Fajr. Jazakumullah khair
as-salamualykum,w.w,
I would appreciate if you could advise me about education facilities & cost in nasr city for my boys 8 &11 years old.
Jazakillah khayran.