Muslim Education in the US

History of Muslim Sunday Schools

Transcript

1. U.S. SPEAKER PROGRAM, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE: MUSLIM EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY FARHANA N. SHAH Maryland, U.S.A.
2. The first word revealed of the Quran was "Iqra" READ! Seek knowledge! Educate yourselves! Be educated. “A father can give his son nothing better than a good education” (Tirmidhi Hadith) Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 2
3. Muslim Education in USA  Private Islamic Schools (full- time)  Mosques  Sunday School (part-time)  Evening Arabic/Quran Recitation  Summer Camp  Other Community Services  Higher Education  Islamic Institutes  Other organizations Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 3
4. Full-time Islamic Schools Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 4
5. Some facts…  Approximately 235-250 schools  Hire 15%-30% non-Muslim teachers; however, 1/3 hire only Muslim teachers  Usually follow state curriculum  Oldest: 22-30 years old, mostly new and non- accredited  Number of students range from 100-650, depending on the institution Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 5
6. Vision and Mission  create well-rounded citizens who are prepared for the 21st century and in turn who will contribute to the society at large. Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 6
7. Curriculum  Secular subjects prescribed by the state  Quran  Islamic Studies  Arabic  Infusion of character education in both secular and Islamic subject areas Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 7
8. Other Information  Extra-curricular activities  Leadership skills integrated in curriculum and activities  Parent involvement Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 8
9. How are full time schools funded?  Like any private school in the USA, tuition  Donations  School fund-raisers  Grants (federal and local) Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 9
10. Challenges facing full-time schools?  Funds  Teacher salaries lower than even some non-Muslim private schools  Teacher benefits such as medical, paid leave…  Have not tapped into federal and state grants that may be available Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 10
11. Part-time Islamic Schools Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 11
12. Mission and about the… The Muslim Community Center Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 12 “…promote friendly relations and understanding between the Muslim community and the general public, and to disseminate information on Islamic principles…”.  Conceived in 1976, dedicated to serving everyone  Volunteer-managed
13. Brief History and Establishment of the M.C.C. Sunday Islamic School Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 13  Late 1960s: families from Maryland suburbs drove to attend SS in DC.  1976: idea of a center in MD for convenience  The need for SS led to establishing MCC, rather than the center creating SS.  Phase I: Rented a facility in MD.  Phase II: first part of MCC completed 1981.  Phase III: SS facility completed in 1986.
14. Need for a Sunday School Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 14 1. Important for Muslim kids to learn basics of Islam. 2. Meet other Muslim kids in age group; may feel isolated in public school with a different name, look, and culture. 3. Interaction with other Muslim students in a “Halal” manner- void in public schools.
15. Islamic Education Services Offered Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 15  M.C.C. Sunday Islamic School and Arabic  Quranic Recitation and Memorization  Weekend Arabic Class  Summer Camp  English Classes (as a second language for adults)
16. MCC Sunday Islamic School Class Schedule Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 16 Arabic: 9:30 am to 10:30 Quran: 10:30 am to 11:30 am 50-minute Break Islamiyat: 12:20 to 1:20 pm Duhur Prayers
17. How is it funded? Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 17  Funded by tuition fees.  There are indirect expenses funded by the center, like facilities, utilities.  Goal for next year-student aid fund to allow people who can afford to support those who need with paying the fees.
18. Arabic Curriculum: Overview Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 18 Level K: Students will be able to read with good pronunciation, write and recognized individual letters isolated and connected. Level 1: Students will be able to read with good pronunciation, write and recognized individual letters with fathah, dammah, kasrah, sukun. Have a very short oral conversation in arabic Level 2: Students will be able to connect letters together, learn double fathah, double Kasrah, double dammah , shaddah and maddah. Have a very short verbal and non-verbal conversation in arabic Level 3: Students will be able to acquire vocabulary, read, write, comprehend, translate, and form simple sentences (oral and written) using “verb”, “subject”, and “predicate”>
19. Arabic Curriculum: Overview Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 19 Level 4: Students will exhibit moderately advanced Arabic, form simple sentences (oral and written) using “verb”, “subject”, and “predicate”. Level 5: Students will exhibit advanced Arabic. Students will be able to read, write, comprehend, and create short paragraphs (oral and written). Level 6: Students will exhibit advanced Arabic. Students will be able to read, write, comprehend, and create short paragraphs (oral and written).
20. Quran Curriculum Objectives and Learning Outcomes Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 20 Kindergarten: Recite the alphabet , Recognize the Arabic letters placed in and out of order, Recite Surah Al-Fatiha Grade 1: Read letters in isolated and connected forms, Read Harakat on letters in small words, Recite An-nas Grade 2: Read words with harakat and tanween, Recite Al-Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq Grade 3: Read words with: harakat, taween,long vowels “Alif, waw, ya’”, madd, Recite Al-Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq + Al-Ikhlas
21. Quran Curriculum Objectives and Learning Outcomes Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 21 Beginning Tajweed Level 1 Read words with: harakat, taween, madd, Sukun, Qalqalah vibration , long vowels “Alif, waw, ya’”,Ikhfa  Recite Al-Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq, Al-Ikhlas + Al-Lahab (Al-Masad)  Read from Quran with implementation of the Tajweed rules (Qalqalah and Ikhfa’) Beginning Tajweed Level 2 Read words with: harakat, taween, madd, Sukun, shaddah ,long vowels “Alif, waw, ya’, Qalqalah (vibration), Ikhfa’, Idgham  Recite Al-Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Lahab (Al-Masad) + An-Nasr  Read from Quran with implementation of the Tajweed rules (Qalqalah, Ikhfa’, Idgham)
22. Quran Curriculum Objectives and Learning Outcomes Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 22 Middle Tajweed Level 1 Read words with: harakat, taween, madd, Sukun, shaddah ,long vowels “Alif, waw, ya’, Qalqalah (vibration), Ikhfa’, Idgham, shaddah , shaddahs followed by a sakoon, noon and meem mushadatein, double shaddahs, shaddahs after madds  Recite Al-Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Lahab (Al-Masad), An-Nasr +Al-Kafiroon.  Read from Quran with implementation of the Tajweed rules (Qalqalah, Ikhfa’, Idgham, Iqlab)  Translate Surahs Al-Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq. Middle Tajweed Level 2 Read words with: harakat, taween, madd, Sukun, shaddah ,long vowels “Alif, waw, ya’, Qalqalah (vibration), Ikhfa’, Idgham, Iqlab, Ithhar , shaddah followed by a sukoon, noon and meem mushadatein, double shaddahs, shaddah after maddRecite Al-Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Lahab, An-Nasr, Al- Kafiroon+ Al-Kawthar & Al-Ma’un.  Read from Quran with implementation of the rules of Tajweed (Qalqalah, Ikhfa’, Idgham, Iqlab, and Ithhar  Translate Surahs Al-Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq, Al-Ikhlas
23. Quran Curriculum Objectives and Learning Outcomes Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 23 Advanced Tajweed Read words with: harakat, taween, madd, Sukun, long vowels “Alif, waw, ya’, Qalqalah (vibration) Ikhfa’, Idgham, Iqlab, Ithhar, shaddah, shaddah followed by a sukoon, noon and meem mushadatein, double shaddahs, shaddah after madd  Recite Al-Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Lahab (Al-Masad), An-Nasr, Al-Kafiroon, Al- Kawthar, Al-Ma’un, Quraysh, Al- Feel, Humazah  Read from Quran with implementation of the Tajweed rules (Idgham, Ikhfa’, Iqlab, Qalqalah, Ith-har.)  Translate Surahs Al-Fatiha, An-Nas, Al-Falaq, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Lahab, An-Nasr
24. Islamiyat Curriculum Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 24  Kindergarten: Basics  Grade 1 and 2: Tawheed , Salah and Wudu , Zakat , Fasting in month of Ramadan, Hajj, Articles of Faith (Basic components of Iman, the Muslim belief) . Stories from Quran, Islamic Ethics, General Topics.  Grade 2: Shahadah and its meaning, 5 Pillars, Articles of Faith, Expand on Belief in Adam's creation , stories of the Prophets.  Grade 3: SALAH, SEERAH, learn meaning and usage of the following: Alhamdulillah, allahuakbar, bismillah, subhanallah, inshallah, mashaallah, jazakallah, astaghfirullah PROPHETS OS ISLAM: LUT, MUSA, HARUN  Grade 4: Salat/Wudu, Jumuah prayers and importance , SEERAH, SHORT STORIES ON PROPHETS: ILYAS, DAWUD, SULAIMAN, AYUB, YUNUS, ZAKARIYAH, YAHYA, ISA, learn meaning and usage of the following: Alhamdulillah, allahuakbar, bismillah, subhanallah, inshallah, mashaallah, jazakallah, astaghfirullah. Dua  Grade 5: SALAH REVIEW, HADITH (various topics)  Grade 6: Moral Education and Day of Judgment topics
25. Islamiyat Curriculum Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 25 Grade 7: revelation of the Quran, significance of Lailatul-Qadr, form and language of the Quran, style of the Quran, Tafsir and translation of the Quran, how to study the Quran, and teacher-selected topics, i.e. moral obligations, family, and rights and responsibilities. Grade 8: The Teacher will drive the contents of the curriculum and tailor it to contemporary issues and use a major portion of the assigned Book. Grade 9: Khulfahe Rashedoon, Dawah and creation of Ummah Grade 10: Critical Analysis of various topics selected by the Teacher. This Grade does not have a book assigned to students. The teacher provides guidelines and notes when necessary. Grade 11: This Grade will encourage Discussion, Analysis and Essays on thoughts conveyed on various topics in the book: Islam, The Misunderstood Religion.
26. Quran Recitation and Memorization Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 26  children 12 years old or younger  Friday (evening)  Saturdays and Sundays (day)  Nominal monthly fee is required  Curriculum: Levels 1-4, possible Level 5
27. Weekend Arabic Class Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 27 Upon completion of this course (approx. 9 semesters), that student will reach a level of skills that will allow meaningful communication in spoken and written Arabic, as well as comprehension of Arabic texts, including the Al- Qu’ran.  Classes held every Saturday and Sunday for 2 hours each day Tuition: $3500 per semester plus $50 registration fee.  Curriculum: Students who have completed Levels K through 6 are expected to be able to read, write, speak, and use Arabic to understand the Qur’an.
28. Summer Camp Goal Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 28 build upstanding Muslim characters in our children through learning and living the Qur’an and Hadith in a fun, relaxed and hands-on atmosphere • WHEN: June- August (6 weeks) • AGES: 5-13 years • ACTIVITIES/Curriculum: Qur’an Memorization, Islamic History, Field Trips, Arts, Math and Science Achievers Club, Sports, Games and much more fun!!! • FEES:  $100/week per child + $50 one time only activity fee  $550 for six weeks  Sibling discount is 20% for second or more child.
29. Muslim Youth Organization of MCC Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 29  Mission: “To establish a bond between the Muslim Youth of the community through educating and entertaining within an Islamic environment through following the Quran and Sunah.”  Muslim Youth Program every Friday in the evenings.  Muslim Youth Organization conducts a Halaqah for youth (male and female) above 12 years of age. The program includes dinner, Isha prayers, and a lecture followed by discussions.
30. Other Services and Programs at MCC Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 30 Muslim Community Center provides several services to the community in the surrounding areas of Washington D.C. Meet the Imam Funeral Services Ask the Imam New Muslim Support Book Shop Interfaith (Ramadan, lectures) Library Zakat Fund Hall Rental MCC Medical Clinic Marketplace
31. Establish an Islamic Sunday School  The preliminary steps to establish  Assessment of families/children  Developing vision and goals for the SS  Purchase of land or existing location/facility  Funds/investors  Committee of visionaries for the SS (Board)  Things to consider (after a location or land purchase)  Educational needs of students and families- (USA: align grades with public school)  Volunteers for teachers and office administration  Schedule  Curriculum  Fees for SS  Resources Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 31
32. Higher Education (to name a few…) Non-Muslim Facilities  Universities and Colleges  Hartford Seminary  MSA Muslim Facilities  IIIT (International Institute of Islamic Thought)  Muslim Think Tanks: Minaret of Freedom,  Other: Alim.org Islamicity Soundvision CAIR 32 Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011
33. Resource: Alim.org Features Classical features: Allows Muslims all over the world to have effective and useful access to classical sources of Islamic knowledge.  Community Collaboration  Comment on the Quran & Hadith  Everyone’s opinion is equal  Maintain Central Databases of Islamic Resources  Community Outreach Entire Alim Online Read and search the entire Quran in English and Arabic Listen to the Quran Watch Islamic educational videos Search Hadith, Quran and Sunnah Social Media features Discuss Islam Commenting & Comment Rating Everyone is valued equally from the scholar to the mother of three Interact with the Quran on popular sites such as Facebook Work together with Muslims around the world Its not just Quran: Find Masjids, prayer times, Imams, Zakat acceptors and more Share documents amongst communities (e.g. Khutbas) Specific bookmarks/links for children will be created Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 33
34. Resource: Arabic Playhouse  Full Arabic Playhouse Online  Visit today: www.arabicplayhouse.com Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 34
35. History of Education in Islam101  What does Islam say about education?  Why is education an obligation for Muslims?  Role of education in Islamic History  Islam in the United States of America  Programs to better understanding of Islam and Muslims in the U.S.A. Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 35
36. Question and Answer 1. Why does Islam pay attention to the educational system? 2. How do Muslims in minority society manage the education and what are the challenges they are facing? 3. How can you relate education to the Islamic way of life? 4. What are the sources of knowledge according to the Islamic perspective? 5. Islam pays serious attention to education, so why are most of Muslim societies in the world today still backward? 6. What are steps that can be taken to strengthen Muslim education in the world today? Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 36
37. Contact Information Farhana N. Shah Email: farhana@shah.org Created by Farhana N. Shah, August 2011 37