IFK’s College of Islamic Studies (CIS) traces its roots to 23rd April 1995, when it was officially inaugurated at the Kisauni Islamic Institute compound by the then Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Yusuf Ibn Ibrahim Al Salloum. Under the leadership of its founding Principal, Sheikh Siraj Ur Rahman Nadwi, and the first Dean, Dr. Suleiman Al Noor, the college quickly established itself as one of Kenya’s leading institutions for higher Islamic learning. Over the years, it was further strengthened by the leadership of Dr. Abdalla Mohamed Abubakar Khateeb and Dr. Wasiulla Faisal Azmi, while maintaining academic collaboration with the International University of Africa (IUA), located in Khartoum – Sudan, which examined students and awarded internationally recognized certifications.
Through its years of operation, the College produced some 500 graduates who have gone on to serve as Imams, Islamic scholars, lecturers, teachers, and community leaders across Kenya and beyond, including South Africa, Canada, the United States, and Malaysia.
Its graduates have played a significant role in advancing Islamic education, while student-led Da’wah initiatives contributed to thousands reverting to Islam in communities around the Coast region. In 2015, the institution relocated from the Kisauni Islamic Institute compound to its Amkeni Campus in Kikambala, providing larger facilities and infrastructure conducive for academic growth and development. Despite its remarkable achievements, CIS experienced significant financial challenges following the onset of the Covid pandemic and withdrawal of donor support, leading to a sharp decline in student enrolment. The college ceased operations in 2019, followed by the closure of the institute in 2020, leaving several graduating classes awaiting the release of their certificates from IUA.
IFK has continued to engage the University in pursuit of the outstanding certifications and this perseverance has finally paid dividends in 2026 with IUA now having confirmed the validity of the students’ results and commenced the issuance of the long awaited Certificates. CIS also faced a prolonged legal dispute over the Wakf property where it was located, with the family of the late donor challenging IFK’s occupation. On 18th October 2022, the High Court ruled in favour of IFK, affirming the validity of the allocation of 50 acres to the Foundation and directing that the land be subdivided and transferred accordingly. However the family appealed this decision, and on 30th January 2026, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court’s decision, holding that the property constituted a special-purpose Wakf for Naima Mosque and that the Trustees lacked legal authority to transfer any portion of it, thereby nullifying the allocation to IFK.
We bow to Allah’s will and have handed over possession to the family despite the fact that the College building was constructed by IFK and is therefore subject to removal. WE have elected to remove only the movable items from the building and our hope is that the family puts the building to use for the advancement of Islamic education. Despite these challenges, the Foundation has successfully revived the Institution by setting up a new College under the name Sheikh Siraj Rahman College of Islamic Studies (SSRCIS), located once again in Kisauni. SSRCIS is making rapid progress towards establishing itself as a major player in the field of Higher Islamic learning in Kenya.
