Islamic Schools in the USA

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.

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

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


3

Full-time Islamic Schools


4

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


5

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.


6

Curriculum

Secular subjects prescribed by the state

Quran

Islamic Studies

Arabic

Infusion of character education in both secular and

Islamic subject areas


7

Other Information

Extra-curricular activities

Leadership skills integrated in curriculum and

activities

Parent involvement


8

How are full time schools funded?

Like any private school in the USA, tuition

Donations

School fund-raisers

Grants (federal and local)


9

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


10

Part-time Islamic Schools


11

Mission and about the…

The Muslim Community Center


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

Brief History and Establishment of the

M.C.C. Sunday Islamic School


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.

Need for a Sunday School


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.

Islamic Education Services Offered


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)

MCC Sunday Islamic School

Class Schedule


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

How is it funded?


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.

Arabic Curriculum: Overview


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”>

Arabic Curriculum: Overview


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).

Quran Curriculum Objectives and

Learning Outcomes


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

Quran Curriculum Objectives and Learning

Outcomes


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)


Learning Outcomes


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


Learning Outcomes


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

Islamiyat Curriculum


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

Islamiyat Curriculum


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.

Quran Recitation and Memorization


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

Weekend Arabic Class


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.

Summer Camp Goal


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.

Muslim Youth Organization of MCC


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.

Other Services and Programs at MCC


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

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


31

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


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


33

Resource: Arabic Playhouse

Full Arabic Playhouse Online

Visit today:

www.arabicplayhouse.com


34

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.


35

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?


36

Contact Information

Farhana N. Shah

Email: [email protected]


37

Islamic Schools in the USA

Education

Transcript of Islamic Schools in the USA