Sephardic Haredim to support its position. Sephardic Haredim differ from their Ashkenazi counterparts in a number of significant ways. The central differentiating factor is that Sephardic Haredim follow the rulings and customs of their rabbis, which are rooted in the traditions of the Jews formerly from the Islamic world. Additional differences exist on issues such as political allegiance, as the vast majority of Sephardic Haredim are identified with Shas, while most Ashkenazi Haredim are identified with either United Torah Judaism or, to a lesser extent, HaEdah HaChareidis. Sephardic Haredim as a community tend to be moderately supportive of Zionism, while maintaining a
University of Religions and Denominations religions and other Islamic sects and denominations. This resulted in the establishment of a research institute which eventually became the University of Religions and Denominations. The institute began its activities with a group of students from Qom Seminary in a small building, with meager resources and facilities. At first, there was a special four-year academic course in three fields: Abrahamic Religions, Non- Abrahamic Religions and Islamic Sects. During their studies, the students also learned English, Sanskrit and Hebrew languages. After about ten years of hard work and endeavor, training of elite students, and meeting the legal requirements governing the universities,