A collection of events at Al Iman School proves that this is no ordinary School. Students are involved and active in both studies and enjoying their Class trips, learning and having fun while learning too.
On Friday April 14th 2006, Al-Iman School saw a wonderful celebration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saww) birthday crowned with a Teacher’s Appreciation in-school celebration and this month, May, an unforgettable visit to Hershey Park, in which students had fun. It proves that our School is an alround School in which, students can study hard, work on projects, learn as well as share ideas on topics the Board of Education of the State of New York requires for preparation for the CAT, CAT5, PSAT’s, SAT’s, and REGENT’s exams. Our School endeavors for the best in everything as we seek to show how Islam gives us the strength to move on in a World of violence and inhumanity being carried out by forces who seek to place themselves above Allah. If humankind could just reflect for a second on what is our end goal in life, our purpose as human beings, why we call each other “brother” and “sister” for, and most of all why we offer salaat or prayer to Allah, then the World will be a better place. As students of Al Iman School, we believe that achieving the best is not an option, not a mere choice but a needed commitment from us all as true followers of the Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (saww). In this humble piece, we will summarize the events of one main event, hoping that the Grade 12 will do their part and complete the other two events, inshaAllah. In the absence of an article from our older students, we took it upon ourselves to do just that: tell the community and the World that Islam is alive and that we are proud to be of the Ummah of Nabi Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (saww) and he told us to acquire this knowledge so as, to better our societies and to remember that in the end all will be called to be judged for their actions in this World while in the hereafter.
In the Celebration of the birth of our Holy Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (saww), on April 14th, 2006, the Master of Ceremony, brother Haeder reminded us about the necessity to love the Prophet Muhammad (saww) and follow his sunnah left in the example of his progeny, which he asked us in the Holy Quran, as Allah Himself agreed with this, to love his ahlul bait(AS) and he asked for no wealth, nothing but love of his family. So, while we celebrated his birthday, we celebrated in fact, love of the Ahlul Bait(AS). The Celebration began with a Quranic recitation by myself, Umair Shaikh, of Grade 9 although there was a misprint on the list saying that I was from Grade 10-true, I will be in Grade 10 this year but at this time, I am still a proud Grade 9ner and love my Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (saww) very much and thank Allah for sending him as a mercy for us all. Our Principal, brother Reza Naqvi, delivered a fine address, in which everyone listened very carefully. A nasheed was read by the Pre-Kindergarden Class. The program continued with a speech by Abbas Lawal of Grade 6 and another Nasheed followed by the Kindergarden class. Sister Sarah Khalil crowned off this part with a speech entitled “From Proclamation to Hijra,” which caught the attention of everyone.
A group nasheed on “Salluh Ala Muhammad & Zumrul Mahaba”as well as a speech “Prophet Muhammad (Saww) as a role model” followed by Muhammad Abbas Jaffer doing the latter. Group 2 ensured the rendition of “Me to Panjatan Ka Ghulam Hu… & Meetha Meetha hai mere Muhammad” showing inclusiveness in our faith to accept other languages and cultures which make up Islam. This linguistic melody proves our unity and respect for each other in the Deen of Islam. Poems were then read by Samar Khalil, Mahdi Rahman, and Sana-E-Zahra of Grade 3, which shows that their commitment to the Prophet Muhammad (saww) has no age requirement for we are all required to love and follow him as the best example for us and those who are his Shias (the word meaning “followers” since Imam Ali (AS) was a Shia of Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (saww)) already do this.
As the older grades began to take part, we saw a speech being unfolded quite eloquently by brother Syed Mohammad Razvi of the Grade 10 entitled, “:Prophet as a mercy to mankind Part 1.” Grade 2 followed with a nasheed, “Noohun & Salu alayhi wasalaam” then to complement this, a brief play was carried out by the Arabic Class entitled, “Prophet’s Migration.” Such as collection of nasheed, speeches could only be enjoyed by a Class play that reminds us all that Muslims also have talent in the acting field as is often forgotten in our part of the World. Sister Shafa Shah of Grade 10, continued with, “Prophet as a Mercy to Mankind part 11.” A poem followed by Ali Jaffer and Arooba Hassan of Grade 5, then Grade 12 took us through a nasheed called “Hasbi rabbi jal Allah”. It is at this point that Grade 11 sought to shine with a speech by Sister Sakina Naqvi entitled “Importance of Dua.” It reminds us one (1), about what our Global History and Geography Teacher, brother Sayyed, said about dua once, that “Imam Khomeini (RA) said dua is the weapon of the believers.” That is, regardless of what harm others wish to do to us, dua should always be our protection because it is the direct act of seeking assistance from Allah in the only way we know, taught to us by the Holy Masoomeen (AS) especially the duas left for us by Imam Zainul Abideen (AS).
To make our presentation even more interesting, Sister Zeinab Rakka of Grade 7 left us with, “Lailatulk Milaad” and it was then, our Director’s address came from our Honorable Shaikh Fadhel Sahlani. Then came the part that many kids liked, this is when brother Mohsin Alidana brought the “Q & A’s” in which he asked many questions and we all learnt something new. Of the questions, some included these unforgettable ones: Name five Prophets who spoke Arabic? The Answer of course were Nabi (Prophet) Hud(AS); Nabi Ishmael(AS); Nabi Shuaib(AS); Nabi Saleh(AS); and Nabi Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (saww). What does the Arabic word “Tilawa” means? Answer: In Islam, “Tilawa” means recitation of the Holy Quran. What is another name for the City of Makka? Answer: BAKKAH, it is another name for Makkah, depending on the dialect of the Arab tribe. For reference, see Surah Chapter 3 Verse 96: "Verily, the first House [of worship] appointed for mankind was that in Bakkah [Makkah], full of blessing, and guidance for all people." Where did Sayyeda Maryam live? Answer: Jerusalem City. The questions continued and there were so many that we were just caught up in trying to answer them, which made the last part of the celebration very exciting by those who like a sort of jeopardy or Quiz time before the end of the program. As usual, Brother Mohsin, always makes us happy with his questions that challenges us to seek answers but most importantly, learn something about our religion while having fun. Finally, the faculty Members, and we mean all Teachers, took part in the rendition of the nasheed, “Salalahu Alan nabi.”
It was most memorable just as the Teacher’s Appreciation Day celebration in School which one of the Grade 12 might be bringing to you soon. Then came the Hershey Park in which rides, fun, lessons about the park and Chocolate factory were part of the tour and day’s events. Everyone enjoyed themselves and not a single student can say that it was boring. As we end this small report, stressing the Milad-Un-Nabi, inviting the Grade 12 to complete its responsibility of covering events in the School for us, the day at Hershey Park crowned the school year, the best for us as students along with the Milad-Un-Nabi which reminded us about our purpose as Muslims in America who bring only peace to this land.
