CMC Introduces Traditional Mauritanian Alwaaḥ to Arabic Programme

Cambridge Muslim College is pleased to introduce a new addition to our Arabic curriculum: traditional alwaaḥ (wooden learning tablets) sourced from Mauritania and engraved locally.

Used for centuries across the Islamic world, the lawḥ is a timeless tool for practising writing, memorisation, and revision. Its arrival marks an exciting development for the College, making CMC the first institute in the UK to incorporate this classical method into a structured Arabic programme. We were also honoured to welcome Dr Hadiza Kere to the College, who shared valuable insights into the historical and pedagogical significance of the alwaaḥ and their use in traditional learning.

Led by Dr Aaminah Patel (Programme Lead, Arabic), this initiative marks a significant step.

This initiative represents another step in CMC’s commitment to combining deep tradition with innovative, high-quality teaching – connecting students to a rich heritage of Islamic scholarship while supporting their learning in meaningful and embodied ways.