The Organization

3.1 The Founding Fathers One fundamental in Islam is the seeking of knowledge, acting upon the knowledge and calling others to the knowledge. This is central to the message of Islam and every conscious Muslim knows that this is a duty that Allah has placed on him/her. AL-USRAH, a knowledge-based organisation, started with just three (3) members later joined by a fourth, all being products of the MSSN. They were: 1. Professor (Imam) AbdurRazaq Kilani: A Professor of Islamic Studies at the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Port Harcourt and a former Head of the Department (2003-2006). He obtained his B.A. (1986) and M.A (1989) Islamic studies at the University of Ilorin, Ilorin and his PhD in Religious Studies specializing in Islamic Studies from University of Port Harcourt in 1999. He joined the Department of Religious Studies of University of Port Harcourt as an Assistant Lecturer in 1992. He rose to the rank of lecturer II in 1996, Lecturer 1 in 1999, Senior Lecturer in 2002 and Professor in 2009. He is the first Professor of Islamic Studies of the University, the first to be promoted Professor in that discipline in any university in the entire South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. He has published many articles in local and international journals and contributed chapters to books for undergraduates. He is a Senior Fellow Centre for the Study of World Religions at Harvard University 2003, Fellow, Chartered Institute of Corporate Administration (FCAI), 2005 and Fellow, US Summer Institute (SUSI), University of California, Santa Barbara 2008. He has served as External Examiner (for PhD students) at International Islamic University, Malaysia, Universities of Ibadan, Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo-Lagos and University of Calabar. He is the Imam of University of Port Harcourt Muslim community since 1995 and also the Imam of a premier Muslim organization-Al-usrah Inc in Port Harcourt since 1994. Professor Abdurazaq Kilani is the Chairman Board of Directors of City Model Schools in Port Harcourt and member Board of Trustees of Solace Health Foundation.