The American Open University (AOU) is an independent non-profit educational organization, based in the United States of America, founded and supervised by scholars specialized in Islamic and Educational Sciences.

AOU is an Islamic university offering undergraduate and graduate studies through distance learning, based on the amanah (trust) to spread Islamic knowledge based on the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw), in the framework of mainstream Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’a.

We utilize contemporary methods of distance education to provide the next best thing to direct learning.

In order to have a solid foundation, the development of the university has been undertaken in small but secure steps, and to date hundreds of students from America and around the world have benefited from studying with us.

AOU was established in May 1995, and opened its doors to students in January of 1996 to a mere 147 students. Alhamdulillah the total enrollment for this current semester (Spring 2002), is 540 students. While most of our students are in the United States, we currently serve students from 25 different countries.

Distance education breaks down the boundaries of time and space, of season and country allows people to study from the comfort of their own homes. It uses all available means to deliver knowledge to the students, wherever they may be. This method of education has been greatly assisted by the recent developments in technology, particularly in the fields of information dissemination. Mediums like the Internet, and other new systems of communication, have turned the world into a global village, in which video and audio communication and dialogue have become possible, regardless of distance.

The textbooks for distance education are designed in a specific way, supported by audio and videotapes and CDs, in order to facilitate the students’ study at home, as well as to help them to pursue their studies with speed and ease.

Students are able to contact their instructors, who take the role of tutors to facilitate the studies, by fax, email and other communication methods. They are also encouraged to make direct contact with them by phone during set office hours, in order to have their questions answered and discuss their coursework, as well as for their final semester exams.

• To offer affordable and accessible Islamic education to all English and Arabic speaking Muslims and non-Muslims.
  
  

• To break down the barriers to gaining Islamic knowledge, that are caused by time and space, by bringing education directly into people’s homes.
  
  

• To cooperate with other Islamic universities in keeping sound Islamic knowledge alive.
  
  

• To teach Islamic studies at graduate and undergraduate levels based on authentic knowledge, and supervised by internationally respected instructors. 
  
  

• To contribute to the dissemination of authentic Islamic literature that encourages moderation and avoids innovation.
  
  

• To develop the understanding of Islam and the Islamic civilization in the West by maintaining an Islamic identity and conducting affairs accordingly.
  
  

• To relate Islamic studies to the present by discussing solutions to contemporary issues, with particular reference to the Western world.
  
  

• To develop state-of-the-art distance education materials and tools to enhance student’s understanding and learning. 
  
  

• To provide an educational system that promotes the synthesis of Islamic values and academic knowledge, which encourages the development of an Islamic personality with a high standard of morals and wisdom.
  
  

• To foster the academic skills of the students to enable them to be able to impart their knowledge effectively, and to compete successfully in contemporary society.