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Answer
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Name
Saladin
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Profession
Question
How can I, as a parent, be ensured that if I send my child to an Islamic school, that besides Islamic education, they will be prepared for higher education in colleges and universities? School certified by the local school board? Or even teaching advanced courses in mathematics, social studies, or science?
Answer
We understand from our experience in the United States that these schools are teaching other subjects that are required by the education system. This gives the students two opportunities, first to continue their education in universities and second their ability to get a sound Islamic education.
An example in the United States, a group of children that studied in Islamic Schools moved to another public school, found themselves over achievers and more competent in other fields, such as science. Islamic schools know that Islamic Education should not take over when preparing the students in the other sciences. Thus the students come out with a balance of faith and Islamic knowledge and worldly knowledge.
Name
Sa'ad
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Profession
Cool Guy
Question
Do you have any tips for someone trying to learn Fusha Arabic (Not Ammi), who speaks English orginially?
Answer
There are specific institutions that teach Arabic. It demands will power and work from your end. Also finding friends that speak Arabic and spending time with them. There are also programs through advanced means. One must practice listening and speaking. These programs and institutions can help that as well as the environment and friends. Also, the best advice is to listen to Arabic, specifically the Qur'an.
Name
Sara
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Profession
Question
I am concerned about the different ways children are taught religion by their parents. I want to know what are the right approaches to take at the different ages and what are the subjects to cover first.
Answer
The best way is example. The father and mother should be a high level of religiousness and morality, in their words and actions. This way the children will see that actions confirm to what they preach. The good example is the most important thing during these years. Ease and leniency from the parents is a must, as there are ages that have more stubbornness. With love there will be more compliance, while with harshness they will break them.
The environment in and the house is the most important thing. How the parents speak to each other, praying in front of them, Islamic tapes and videos, cleanliness, saying BismiAllah before eating in front of them, etc.. This atmosphere is necessary for raising the children.
Name
Kamal
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Profession
Question
How can parents avoid sex education for their kids here in the US? What's the alternative?
Answer
If these are mandatory classes then there is no choice, but if they are voluntary then the can be avoided. If the child is attending Islamic schools they will have a level of Islamic conscousness and morality that will protect them from be affected by these things.
If it is compulsory, then they can be educated with an Islamic perspective. There are books by Ahmed Mazkour and Dr AbdaAllah ‘Alwan about sex education in Islam. These subjects should not be tabood so that the children are prepared for this Islamically. When we approach them with the Islamic perspective aforetime and prepare them, then the children will be prepared to observe these sex education classes without being affected.
Name
Anwar
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Profession
Question
What are the benifits and ditractions of Islamic Schools vs. Public Schools in the West? Which do you prefer?
Answer
Even though I don’t live in the West. I visited the west and found that Islamic schools are the best solution for the Muslim children growing up in the West. These schools tie the children to the Arabic Language, which build a relation between the child and Quran. They are able to read the Quran with understanding and not just plain recitation.They give the children the basics of Islamic faith. We are involved in preparing Islamic curriculum for Islamic schools in the United States that has portions of Islamic morals faith, stories, etc. This way the child can be protected and fortified with the basic Islamic teachings to be able to live without compromising his faith or morals. We admit that the Western culture has many benefits that should learned. These schools take those beneficial teaching in an Islamic environment. Finaly, these schools have the same ciriculum that are offered in the other public schools in science, mathematics, etc. There are students who graduated from Islamic schools and went to Western Universities and are more successive in their classes than students that didn’t attend these schools.We cannot forget that the environment is extremely important. When the child sees teachers acting in an Islamic manner, dressing in an Islamic manner, verses protryed everywere, Islamic songs and features they grow with a strong Islamic identity.The Islamic morals and manners that spread in these schools are very important and beneficial.
Name
Aslam
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Profession
Question
What are some ways we can have our daughters wear Hijab, without forcing it on them if they are against it?
Answer
If they force it on them, they may take it off when they leave the house and there will be a negative reaction. The best method is to gradually teach them and require it. If they are raised with the proper Islamic teachings, morals, and beliefs this will come naturally. Also as I mentioned before there has to be good examples at home and an Islamic environment and atmosphere in the house. If mother wears the hijab, the aunts and friends, then it will be easier on the child to accept. The important thing is to train and teach the child from childhood to love the hijab and all Islamic beliefs, morals and teachings. The most important things are good examples at home, Islamic environment, teaching with love and care, and gradual implementation. Hijab then comes naturally. There should be no pressure especially before they have developed a feminine figure.
In my visit to a Sunday school, I saw among the students and teachers didn’t have hijab. I asked the principle how he could allow this. The principle said: “I balance between two facts. That they come to school on the weekend to learn about Islam, Arabic and Quran and the hijab issue. I find that it is a great benefit and intiative that they come to learn their religion.After learning their religion, Quran and the importance of hijab, they themselves will gradually realize that it is a requirement and a funamental in our religion and observe it. There have even been such cases. If I require it, then they will not come and I will loose them.” In the beginning of Islam alcohol was not forbidden right away. It was gradually forbidden.
