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Race to the Kabah is a fun, family game that deepens children's understanding of Islam
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Board games are staple children’s entertainment items in many homes. Some are stacked one on top of another in some dusty closet, while others are strewn all over a kid’s bedroom floor. Some are complex and require a great deal of thought and strategy, while others require little more than a simple roll of the dice. Monopoly, Chutes & Ladders, Parcheesi, Trivial Pursuit, Mousetrap, Candy Land and the Game of Life are just a few of the many popular game titles available at toy stores.
Now Muslims can add a game of their own to the growing list of board games on the market, thanks to an enterprising mother from Minnesota.
The game is called Race to the Kabah, and it combines simple chance with questions designed to test players’ own knowledge of the religion of Islam to create a fun experience tailored toward deepening and enriching the family connection to one another and to the religion.
The game’s creator, Tasneem Ahmad, started work on Race to the Kabah some 18 months ago as a simple project to foster greater family unity and spirituality. A year and a half later, however, the game is now being sold on Islamic websites and at other retail destinations across the country.
The concept behind Race to the Kabah is fairly simple: Players roll dice in order to move various numbers of spaces on a board that navigates each player towards the Kabah. Each time a player moves, he or she can potentially land on a square that requires the player to answer a question concerning the 99 names of Allah (swt). As players spiral around the Kabah in the center of the board, answering questions correctly, they get closer and closer to their destination. First one to the Kabah wins.
Each round of the game takes about 15 minutes to play. It is recommended for 2-6 players from ages 7-adult, although younger children can have fun playing as well.
For Ahmad, the game represents not only a learning aid for her children but also a teaching tool for those not all that familiar with Islam. “There were so many misconceptions about Muslims floating around," said Ahmad in a Nov. 19 Pioneer Times article. "This game can be a bridge; we all have a connection."
And as an instrument of da`wah, Race to the Kabah can be invaluable. Said Ahmad in the same article: “One reason I did it (the game) in English (rather than Arabic) is so my daughters could play it with all their friends.”
Although no figures are yet available for sales of the game, there is reasonable expectation that it could be a hit in the niche market of religiously oriented products where, according to a Nov. 16 New York Times article, sales have recently doubled. And as more Muslim families look for simple ways to engender greater spiritual identity in the home, games such as Race for the Kabah will play not an insignificant role.
Race to the Kabah currently retails for $39.95 and can be found on sale at many Islamic websites.
Where to buy Race to the Kabah:
Astrolabe Pictures , (800) 392-7876
HalalCo Books , (703) 532-3202
Islamic Bookstore , (410) 265-0020
IslamiCity, (310) 642-0006
Noor Art , (888) 442-5687
SoundVision, (708) 430-1255
Caravan Xpress , (800) 624-4742
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