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Answer
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Name
Daud
-
Profession
Question
What role can Islamic schools play within the United States?
Answer
We normally talk about the United States culturally as a melting post. Any other national culture will dissolve here. The role of the Islamic schools would be to maintain this. Not to maintain a Saudi, bangali or any other culture because these would melt in the United States. This can be done inf the caricullum here is sold and also we need qualified teachers who can teach with these materials to help maintain the role of Islam. I personally think that this should be high on the priority of Islam, because the children will obtain high paining jobs, but they will lose their Islamic Identities. I think that the Muslims have not done this because we are lacking on this. And unless every mulims is involved in this it will be a desater, as we have seen in some European countries.
Name
Ahmad
- United States
Profession
Question
Can the Islamic schools compete with other non-muslim schools at the post high school levels?
Answer
I think about that to a great extent, yes. I think we need to put the pieces together. We have such qualifications of doctors and other professions. Even if we don’t we can work with these areas. I think in areas where we have weaknesses we can work on it.
Name
Sara
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Profession
Question
What can high level islamic education offer for woman?
Answer
The same education as a man, you can get it. Focus on the education that will help you do the jobs that Allah has made you for, otherwise, who will do these as men cannot do these. You need something to help you achieve your mission and goal in life. But of course as far as degrees are concerned you can go as far as you want in your specialization.
Name
Khadijah
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Can you give me any tips on learning Arabic, I am a native speaker of English
Answer
I think that the current approaches used in teaching Arabic are not correct; the methods that focus on teaching grammar and the alphabet are not working. The holistic approach is better, which focuses on reading through Islamic content, such as Qur’an and hadith, in a simple form by qualified teachers. A good start would be with “Arabic a bridge to Islamic culture”. If you need more details just ask.
Name
Jabril
- Canada
Profession
Question
Do you think it is a good Idea to go after a degree in Islamic areas?
Answer
That is something that we all need. In the west this is something that we lack, (i.e. people who are properly educated). I do encourage that you do this, but I encourage you to look at where you are going because we are in need of people such as you.
Name
Zaynab
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Profession
Question
Are there any islamic Universities in the United States, which you can recommend?
Answer
We do have the branch of the Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic university; there number is 703641-4890. There is also the American Open University, which is a distance learning school, located in Virginia the number there is, 703-671-2115 x222
Name
Mohammed
- United Kingdom
Profession
Teacher
Question
Here in the UK, many committed Muslims exert a great deal of time, energy and money in setting up independent Islamic schools. When these schools are established they are almost always fee-paying, with the result that only a tiny % of the local Muslim children attend these schools. The rest of the Muslim children attend normal state schools, but the Muslims ignore their plight, concentrating their efforts on the Islamic school in the area. Would it be better to strive to increase the number of Muslim teachers in state schools, therefore influencing more Muslim Children? Comments please.
Answer
Yes, you are absolutely correct. Muslims should work on getting more Muslims teachers. We need more but we also need quality. We encourage that parents teach their children so that they can be teachers, and so that they can inform the Muslims about the plight of the Muslims. We need this in the west so that we can have more influence. I encourage that you, if you are looking towards this, do so, insha’Allah. All that is needed is a few years in an institution so that you can attain these positions.
Name
Maryam
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Profession
Question
What can Muslim teachers do when teaching non-muslim students in public schools here in the United States? Can we do anything with the restrictions that we have on us with division of Church and state laws?
Answer
Of course according to the law and to avoid the penalties they should not teach Islam directly. But they can be direct when questioned on issues such as the existence of Allah, his attributes, and so on. This is very important that they do this, rather than just getting a degree in school. They must know that they can’t force Islam on any one. However it is a duty in their life to spread Islam.
Name
Fahad
-
Profession
Question
Is there any area of Islamic studies that you would say that the United States is in need of?
Answer
I think there are two important areas. The first area is Aqeedah because when you live with people of other religions you need to present this area clearly. Such as in Christianity some of them see Jesus as God; others see him as part of God and so on. The other issues are of da’wa. We need to do this in a scientific method and by the method of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. These are the two areas which we need the most help.
