Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah (English: Sultan Alam Shah Islamic College; abbreviated KISAS; formerly known as Kolej Islam Klang) is an Islamic boarding school in Klang, Selangor. Initially named as Kolej Islam Malaya, it is the first institution for Islamic higher education in Malaya[1][2][3]
Islamic College of Malaya (Malay: Kolej Islam Malaya, KIM) was founded in 1955 (1374 AH).[7][8] The institution were built by the efforts of Malaya Muslim scholars as early as the 1920's and with support from the Malay Sultan.[1] KIM was built on a plot of land measuring approximately 14.3 acres located at Jalan Kota Raja, about half a mile from Klang.
The college originated as a palace known as Istana Jamaiah,[9] later donated by Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah Al-Haj,[10] hoping that it would give birth to scholars who follow Allah's guidance, illuminating society with the spirit of Islam and to eliminate every form of injustice and ignorance. Back then, KIM function as the main gate for Malay students to pursue studies to Al Azhar University. It also serve as an avenue for Singaporean Malay and Bruneian Malays that unable to continue their studies at the Middle East.[11][12][13] The education consist of two years preparatory curricula and five years of higher studies.[1]The first batch of students (consist of fifty students) were under directorship of Haji Ismail Omar, a religious teacher from Johor assisted by two Egyptian Al Azhar scholars. [14][15] Graduate will received diploma, allowing them to become religious teacher.[14]
In 1957, the school entered into formal aggrement with University of Malaya which enabled qualified students to matriculate for Arts programme at the university.[16]In 1961, Mahmud Saltut, rector for Al Azhar University, was invited to Kolej Islam and he agreed that the higher certificate by KIM is similar with Al Azhar bachelor degree and allow those with the certificate to enroll into Al Azhar master program. In 1963, ten graduate students from KIM pursue their master at Al Azhar University.[1]
In 1967, the college, taken by the Ministry of Education was converted into a government-aided school known as Klang Islamic College (Malay: Kolej Islam Klang, KIK)[17] and become a feeder for Kolej Islam Malaya.[18][19] Finally, in 1972, it was turned into a fully residential school with great facilities until today. The school were noted for influencing the standardization of religious school curriculum in Malaysia.[1]
In 1989, KIK was renamed Sultan Alam Shah Islamic College (Malay: Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah, KISAS) by Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah al-Haj. Until now, the former Sultan's palace is still standing.
Persatuan Alumni Kolej Islam, Klang, Malaysia (ALKIS) is the association of former students of the Islamic College for the three Islamic Colleges of :
Islamic College of Malaya / Kolej Islam Malaya (KIM),
Klang Islamic College / Kolej Islam Klang (KIK)
Sultan Alam Shah Islamic College (SASIC) / Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah (KISAS)
ALKIS is also known as the Islamic College Alumni Association, Klang, Malaysia or Persatuan Alumni Kolej Islam, Klang, Malaysia (ALKIS).
Notable alumni
Noor Hisham Abdullah - Director General, Ministry of Health - One of the most prominent leaders in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
Anas Alam Faizli - Chief Executive Officer, ProtectHealth - One of the most prominent leaders in the COVID-19 vaccination program in Malaysia
