Muslim Yahoo Groups to consider joining…but take Caution!
Here are a few Muslim yahoo groups I’m on and that you should consider joining:
- PeacefulIslam4ever - one I’ve been on the longest. Mostly for dawaa purposes, for Muslims & non-Muslims. Highly informative, educational info. I highly recommend joining.
- SistersNet World-wide sisters only with 400+ members strong. I just became a member this week…so far its okay…nothing new in the posts I’ve seen thusfar. But, worth staying in to see the rare necessary news that may come up soon.
- MasjidAl-IslamCT – New Haven masjid. A very active community, that supports cooperative efforts…a new member, I’ve found some great sisters to network with; and appreciate community event postings for my family to consider attending.
- Homeschool-Muslim-CT – The group I’m obviously most active in. We attended our first field trip to the Science Expo of CT this Thursday…and while I thought we were going to meet Muslim Homeschoolers for the very 1st time since we arrived in CT…Subhannallah, I knew the majority of the families I saw! Field trips, coops, networking, etc.
Caution: As in our sub-title states, we live only by the Qur’an and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him). Even though these groups are for & by Muslims; unfortunately, I’ve noticed posts that my family and I do not agree with, since they are bi’dah
“new and unprecedented. Hence, they define Bid`ah as everything that has been introduced following the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the golden eras of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all)”
Now, it is incumbent of all Muslims to educate and set-straight Muslims who are going astray , or leading astray (INS, I’ll add references later)…
And, there are ahadeeth supporting that we should walk away when heated debate, because if they’re not listening, defensive or having another agenda (led astray and don’t want to admit it)…
I often read quietly, utilize the good information, participate in healthy discussions, network professionally and appropriately, and don’t enter into debate simply because it is not my nature.
On the other hand, if I have a trusting, respectful relationship with a sister, I will, however, email her separately and advise for the sake of Allah SWT and Him Alone. But, to strangers…I feel I’m being more respectful, since I’m just that “a stranger/lurker/someone they don’t know or trust”.
Can u imagine an anonymous person writing and saying “you’re commiting bi’dah because X,Y, Z”?
Subhanallah, since it’s obvious I’m a reverted Muslim where ever I do, I often get good-natured and some ill-natured advise openly…and, because I was raised with much self-confidence, the good-natured ones have always become dear friends of mine. The ill-natured ones, I thank them, share my 2-cents (if its worth-it) and move on.
But, an anonymous email from a fellow yahoo group member (Muslim or not)…only a true Mu’min would accept my sisterly advise…and well, in my experience; not many of accepting until after they know, trust and love me for Allah SWT. So, hence…
My advise to you: proceed (as with EVERY area in your life) with caution. Do NOT listen or accept everything and anything you read…and Ask questions from respectful, practicing & trustworthy sources.
We are all striving for Allah’s SWT pleasure, and I ask forgiveness from Him (and you) if I’ve offended you by these strong points. My intention is only to warn and educate.
Examples of bid’ah; accepting holidays (religious or national) besides our 2 Eids, entering into inter-faith dialogue…now, that’s a WHOLE story in & of itself; but briefly speaking…
We can, should & must get along with all people of all religions, we can even discuss openly our religious beliefs, sharing our similarities is one-thing (and a good-thing)…but desperately finding similarities to appease others simply because you have to Prove to them that you are a peaceful, loving, devout Muslim…when in fact you are compromising the very essence of your beauty, peace and love for Allah SWT and our beloved Prophet PBUH…crosses ALL lines. When in doubt simply, read, memorize, and recite over & over again Surah Kafirun.
To put it simply, my parents are of 2 different faiths (Catholicism & Buddhism), my siblings and extended families come half-dozen more religions…yet, we all live happily & respectfully.
We often discuss our similarities and differences, but never enter into heated debates or arguments.
We respect our differences and know that we all have our own decisions to be accountable in faith in our own ways.
Do I believe that Islam is the true path? Yes.
When asked, do I shy away from the truth? No.
Unfortunatley, in many (practically ALL cases that I’ve read, witness, heard and seen with my very own eyes & ears), the Muslims participating in inter-faith have compromised themselves for the sake of others…which is not only Sad, but unacceptable.
Our only fear and pleasure should and always be to Allah SWT and Him Alone.
What are Personalized Learning Centers?
Continuing with our series “Creating the Ideal Islamic Educational System in America” :
3.We don’t need School Reform we need an Overhaul
2. Education of Muslim Children – Challenges and Opportunities (Problems with Islamic Schools)
1. Failures of Modern Schooling – Islamic Perspective
Basically, a Personalized Learning Center is institutionalizing “home school”…availing homeschool families more opportunities for them at the convenience of one area location.
And, more information is available at the Association for Personalized Learning Schools & Services, founded and directed by Jeff Rice. A-PLUS for short.
Personalized Learning is a unique, blended classroom and nonclassroom-based public educational model that is tailored to the needs and interests of each individual student. Personalized Learning is a 21st century, “on the leading edge” approach to public education that honors and recognizes the unique gifts, skills, passions, and attributes of each child. Personalized Learning is dedicated to developing individualized learning programs for each child whose intent is to engage each child in the learning process in the most productive and meaningful way to optimize each child’s learning potential and success.
The key attributes that comprise the Personalized Learning model are based upon a solid foundation of the latest educational research findings as to how students learn most successfully, including a strong emphasis on parental involvement, smaller class sizes, more one-on-one teacher and student interaction, attention to differences in learning styles, student-driven participation in developing the learning process, technology access, varied learning environments, teacher and parent development programs, and choices in curriculum programs. No other educational model offered in today’s public education system has integrated these proven educational research results in such an in-depth and comprehensive manner to serve the diverse needs of today’s public education students.
Of the 46 PLCs in California right now, many have multiple options:
For example, full-time enrollment (academics & extra curricular), or part-time enrollment (extra curriculars and specialized classes).
As a homeschool family,
- If I had access to a gym–sign us up!
- Week-days Arabic or Qur’an classes…I’m in line!
- An organization that sets up all the field trips, and all I have to do is attend…where’s the registration form!?
- After-school programs with Muslims and non-Muslims kids? Yeehah! Right now…it’s an either-or population in CT. Like, wassup with that!?
The only problems with PLCs!?!?
- These are ALL charter schools ONLY in the state of California!
- Charter public schools can NOT be affiliated with any religion.
Insha’Allah, someone will step up to the plate. But, here’s the catch! It’s hard to turn-over an already corrupt school to a Personalized Learning Center.
Like they say “it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks”.
We need forward-thinkers, risk-takers, though-leaders…Entrepreneurs!
We need parents that demand the VERY best for their children. We need volunteers, community leaders, Action-minded professionals!
Can we achieve this as an ummah!? Insha’Allah, we must! Insha’Allah, I believe our time is coming very soon….
What do you think!? Please comment below.
Free Arabic textbooks online
Here’s a great find from a sister’s post (JAK):
From our sister:
The textbooks are written all in Arabic (they are written for Arab first
language learners), but they might be helpful even if you don’t know much
Arabic or for us second language learners. It has from grades 1 to 10 in
Arabic. It has books for all their subjects so if you only want Arabic, jump
down to the grade level and then hover your cursor over the links and you
can find the Arabic books (the link shows the type of book, in this case,
Arabic in the status bar (also, if you do know Arabic, the Arabic books are
titled “lugatatunaal jameelah (our beautiful language).They also have Islamic studies books, which seemed neat as well, but of
course you’ll want to review the content.
Looking forward to digging (researching) into some of these, INS.
Please comment with your experiences below.
We don’t need School Reform we need an Overhaul
To better understand the Need to get out of Modern schooling as it promotes industrialization & military discipline: 2 books worth reading…
or at least skim and read the proposed solutions of the last chapter of The Underground History of American Education (A Schoolteacher’s Intimate Investigation Into the Prison of Modern Schooling)
and I’m reading through this one, that I just got yesterday:
WOW! Basically, government should give us homeschoolers the $! As we create an educational system (not a “school”) that economical and effective.
Otherwise, another alternative that I’ll share in great detail, insha’Allah: The Development of Personalized Learning Centers!
46 public charter PLCs Only exist in the state of California and public and private schools, especially Islamic schools, NEED to follow-suit.
The principals follow our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH…our children deserve to develop a pure love & passion to learn (which should be our only jobs as parents during their infant-young years, birth to 7 years of age)!
Education of Muslim Children – Challenges and Opportunities
A must-read article:
Education of Muslim Children – Challenges and OpportunitiesDr. Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph.D
Think your children are immune to the problems of public school by sending them to an Islamic school in America!?
Think again! Look at what Dr. Syed’s research compiled:
- Problems in Islamic Schools
- No Adaab or Islamic etiquette or behavior
- Parents want teachers to be lenient
- Some girls and boys meet secretly in the basement.
- They have girl-friends and boy-friends
- They do smoke
- Profanity is written on the walls, desks, blackboards, etc.
- Behave roughly: laughing, talking, screaming, rip off their Hijab on the buses.
- Discipline: Behavior is no different from the Public Schools.
- Teachers are not fair. Spoiled kids as their parents are rich or important
- Less school activities for girls. Little opportunity to interact with other students.
- Islamic schools are running without an Islamic curriculum, often without a syllabus
- No textbooks.
- No qualified and trained teachers or certified teachers. (Quality in education is not possible without good teachers.)
- Those who attend Muslim high schools do not fare better in college.
- Non-Muslim teachers who are qualified and certified. (Live-in boyfriend, rejects institution of marriage. Wear tight and revealing outfit. Promote gay agenda, anti-religion agenda, or insensitive to Islamic values and events)
- Qualified and certified Muslim teachers work in Public schools. As Islamic schools do not offer viable salaries, benefits (pension health benefits, etc.)
- When they leave Islamic schools and graduate from colleges, some of them, they do marry non-Muslims as the Muslim community and their parents have exerted zero influence on them.
- Chronic shortage of space, science labs, auditoriums, gyms, playgrounds, libraries, bathrooms.
- High turnover rate (30 to 40 percent annually) of teachers.
- Parents’ fear Islamic schools trade off academics for Islamic environment.
- Organization, planning and discipline -suffer most in Islamic schools.
- Governance is the big reason why most Islamic schools suffer
- Do not develop an autonomous and unique decision-making (governance) structure
- School Boards require training in how to run a school
- School Boards rarely include women
- Parents do not play a part in Governance structure
- No qualified administrators
- Some parents worry Islamic schools offer an inferior quality of education.
- Children are not prepared to face competitiveness and the challenges of the modern world.
- Seriously lacking in Muslim literature and culture.
- For many Muslim families, Islamic schools are not affordable.
- In sparse Muslim population areas, Islamic schools are not financially viable.
- Very few trained Muslim teachers in special education or none
The MAJORITY of all these problems can be solved by 1-thing:
** Hiring certified teachers & having a business-charter-school-like Administrative team running the school!
So, yes…I can hear the debate now…I don’t have the patience to homeschool, or I don’t know how, etc.
Then, IF you must send your children to Islamic schools, Pay for higher tuition!
Demand certified teachers because you’re investing in their education…not demanding less because you can’t afford it.
Participate Heavily in the PTO/PTAs, don’t be a complainer.
Be a Solver & Solution-maker!
Show your children you’re putting their education first by Leading.
Be an example so pride and honor is instilled in them at a young age, that they will WANT to succeed in their education…not because good-grades get a smile on Your face…but, because the sence of accomplishment puts of smile on Theirs!
Have a hit a chord that’ll start making you comment and debate with me now?
Insha’Allah khir….only because I believe in our children! They deserve SO much, and America has SO many opportunities, freedoms, and WHY waste it because of our ignorance as parents?
Do NOT accept anything less than the best for our children…but, You need to invest your time, energy, efforts and Money in them too!
To give you an idea How expensive a good education is: average parochial and Islamic school tuition is $3300/child.
Yet, here in CT; charter schools will get getting $11K/child…and for one
charter school who just broke even, averaged $26K/child with certified teachers
and experienced administrative staff, full core and extracurricular activities
and so much more.Our private independent elementary K-8 schools average tuition is
$17k/child and there are additional fees + huge endowments supporting the
schools.Still think $3K/child is too expensive…actually you selling your children SHORT big-time! No wonder they can’t afford certified teacher or qualified administrative staff, huh?
But, here’s an amazing point…I can say we do Not spend $3K/child homeschooling…(well, maybe when we add overseas travel)…yet hubby and I are definitely exposing them to the best-of-private school opportunities NOT isolating nor assimilating our children from our American culture.
As mothers, our children have rights over us, such as food, clothing & education. To think school starts and ends the minute they go into a “school building” is simply an excuse NOT to do our jobs as mothers, especially here in America we Must participate heavily to be involved in our children’s lives and have an active role in assuring their healthy growth and development…leave it to our teachers both at public and private schools and you’ve lost your children completely!
Insha’Allah, I’ll share the difference between Schooling and Education next…and our goal should be to give our children an Education…NOT to send them to school.
Failures of Modern Schooling – Islamic Perspective
Khir, insha’Allah.
Sorry for the delay in posts, but I’ve been conducting a great deal of research, in support of the deteriation of modern schooling here in America and the Western world–and Islamic private schools are FAR from immune of the problems! In some cases, they make even worse problems. {Details to follow in my upcoming series, insha’Allah}.
Rather than hash out all the details, I feel it’s a disservice not to share the wealth of valuable articles and resources I find during my research, and share some significant quotes.
I’ve read every single one of these articles pasted below and highly recommend you take the time for the peace, happiness and strength (more like their mind, bodies & soulds) of your little ones, insha’Allah.
As always, please share your thoughts in the comments area below.
Education for Decolonization and Rejuvenation 2002 live dialogue
Decolonizing Contemporary Education 2004
The Failures and Limitations of Modern Schooling 3/05
Preparing Parents as Educators ~ The Role of Learning Gatherings 6/05
The Westernization of Islamic Education 5/05
Hence, Home Schooling #1 Option:
Homeschooling our Children is an Act of Obedience to Allah
You do not have to be a teacher or have a university degree to teach your
children at home. Studies have proven that homeschooled children are
approximately five years ahead of children that attend public school, regardless
of their parent’s level of education. More and more Imams are encouraging
homeschooling and some are stating it is a requirement, allhumdulilah.
Returning Children to an Allah Centred Environment
The public school is now used as a laboratory for social and educational
experimentation. These theories by in large have shown to be dismal failures in
educating children. Even so these models are not removed, changed or replaced.
One of these new theories is called “Outcome Based Education”. In this system
students are taught and graded as a group. If only one child of the group works
hard and completes the assignment, while the rest do nothing but sign their
name, all will profit from the work of the one. The student who did all the work
on project becomes disheartened and in future will do less work. Those who
depended on the hard work an effort of the responsible student have no sense of
accomplishment or their own worth. The system rewards sloth.Another
educational theory is called Whole Language. In this learning technique instead
of teaching reading, spelling and the rules of writing, children are read to.
Eventually, it is hoped that they will learn to read and write well through
osmosis. Parental concerns are considered unimportant, as the Professionals
“know better”. Old techniques that have actually taught children reading,
writing and Arithmetic, are not revived.A school administrator in California told the interviewer from 20/20
that the old techniques that focus on rote memorization and drill, stifle
creativity and should not be returned to. To counter this idea others have
suggested the creativity is actually enhance and increased when matters of rules
and form are already learned. Students are not bogged down with questions of
spelling, looking up every word to come up with a readable sentence. The purpose
of writing is to transmit thoughts and ideas to another person. That process is
thwarted when much of the sentence is not spelled correctly with no phonetically
base. Children with this knowledge start a step or two ahead.School, local and state officials are often very much against home
schooling.. When a parents chooses to home school and removes a child from the
classroom many districts loose money. The federal government gives schools money
based on head count, by removing their children, a parent lowers the amount of
money a school system will receive.Choosing to home school also means rejecting the idea of centralized
state schools and authority. Many teachers and administrators believe that they
are the only persons qualified to teach children Homeschoolers challenge this
notion and actively fight any proposal that they be required to take
certification programs or tests. Finally, choosing to home schooling might
simply be saying to the teacher, principal, administrator that the schools
aren’t good enough or that they are doing a lousy job at educating. School,
local and state officials often count on families not knowing their rights, when
they bully and intimidate. It is for this reason and the bigotry that Muslims in
the United States face that Muslim Home School Network and Resource encourages
Muslim home schooler’s to secure legal representation before beginning to home
school.
Reasons to Homeschool Your Children (Insha’Allah)
The first and foremost reason to educate our children in the home is to ensure
that they are being educated according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the
Prophet (saws).
By ensuring the quality of our children’s education we may be
able to help save our children from the hellfire insha’Allah.
We as parents
cannot take lightly the responsibility that Allah has given to us. Nor can we
delegate this responsibility to others.
For surely we will all stand before
Allah one day and answer to him as to the children He placed in our care, and
how we motivated them in their pursuing the akhirah (hereafter) our real home,
and not this world a place of examination.
The Advantages of Homeschooling for Muslim Children Eleven Reasons To Home School Your Children Keeping the Faith: More and More American Muslims are Choosing to Home School By Ephrat Livni – ABCNews.com
While there are many approaches to home schooling, most of these approaches seem
to view education as an interconnected array of subjects related to daily life
(Sheehan, 2002). One method in particular, called creative home schooling, tends
to align its thinking with that of an MI enhancing environment. “Creative home
schooling is based on principles and an understanding of creative learning,
divergent thinking, immersion learning, and self-directed learning” (Rivero,
2002, p. 199). Creative home schooling offers parents a way to integrate the
best of several home schooling approaches that meet their individual child’s
needs. The focus of learning in a creative home school is to allow the child to
fulfill his or her human potential rather than to educate for the next purely
academic milestone (Rivero, 2002). “Creative home schooling offers parents a
chance to create a truly individualized education based on a firm theoretical
foundation unique to their child’s needs” (Rivero, 2002, p. 200). By using the
creative home schooling approach, a parent can then develop a curriculum built
on the needs of his or her child, and involves an integration of an MI program.
Undoubtedly, homeschooling takes patience and stamia…but I hold true that not everyone can be a teacher (certified professional), but just-about ALL parents CAN be homeschool parents…after all, who taught them to smile, hug, love, talk, walk, say “Allah” SWT?!?!?!
Wa salam my dear sister 
Harun Yahya coming to Connecticut!
As you may remember, Harun Yahya has made a significant influence on my young family’s life.
A biologist by trade, I learned a great many things from him when I first began to learn about our beloved Islam, and reverted to our one true religion.
This is the #1 site I refer to ALL non-Muslims (and Muslims) whenever I am asked where they can learn more about Islam. Also, Harun Yahya is the most reputable, thorough, active-learning, Islam and Science brother I know…Baille is excellent too; but the resources Harun Yahya produces far exceeds any one scholar’s I’ve ever read and/or watched.
Last, his Children’s site is #1 site for amazing Children’s Science Lessons.
When one reads the scientific, mathematical miracles of our Qur’an; no one ever doubts the gravity of our beloved religion…and when you watch with the special effects–his work is simply awe-strickening!
INS, this event will be a wonderful family event we will not miss!
The Creation Of The Universe
Description:
The Conferences of Harun Yahya1 seek to recall various crucial facts, which for the past 150 years the public has been led to disregard and even deny, under the influence of the turmoil of the modern age. One of these basic facts brought out and proven again and again is that the universe, all living things. Man himself, and indeed the entire universe are not the products of evolution—the accidental, accumulated results of blind chance—but the separate creations and artifacts of Almighty God, the Supreme Creator.We are all created by Him, and to Him we will all return. The allegedly “scientific: challenges to this fact — for example, Darwinism and other materialistic dogmas such as the theory of evolution— are nothing but deceptions, as fully explained in Harun Yahya’s books and in this conference. The lecture hosted at UConn covers the following topics:
- How Big Is The Universe?
- Expansion Of The Universe.
- The Infinite Universe Model & Materialist Philosophy.
- Big Bang Theory.
- Cosmic Background Radiation: The Triumph Of the Big Bang.
- Ratio of Hydrogen to Helium.
- The Anthropic Principle.
- The Speed Of The Explosion.
- Who Created The Universe From Nothing?
Directions to BSP 130
- Drive to UConn Storrs Campus (http://uconn.edu/campuses/storrs.php)
- Find BSP on the UConn Interactive Map (http://admissions.uconn.edu/virtualtour/search/)
About Harun Yahya
1 Born in Ankara in 1956, Adnan Oktar wrote more than 250 books, translated to 57 languages, under the pen name of Harun Yahya. Ever since his university years, he has dedicated his life to telling of the existence and oneness of Almighty Allah, and to disseminating the moral values of the Qur’an. He has never wavered in the face of difficulties and despite oppression, still continues this intellectual struggle today exhibiting great patience and determination. Please visit his website www.HarunYahya.com
Islamic Short Stories for Kids Online
Enjoy StoryTime on IslamOnline.net with your children. They offer short, interactive, colorful, fun Islamic lessons taught in this ever-growing database of fiction stories. The graphics and special-effects are great at keeping the girls’ attention; and the stories are short enough to keep them coming back for more!
It has been over a year since we last visited the site and they’ve added many new stories…but, our favorite story still remains “Waste Not Want Not” – A Story for Parents on How to Plan ~ A Clever King.
Subanallah (Glory be to Allah), I just read this story aloud to the girls again; and couldn’t finish it without crying…I’m such a sap :-/ Masha’Allah.
Other Great Online Islamic Stories for Kids:
- Prophet Stories at Harf Kids
- Books at Truth for Kids by Harun Yahya - Not short stories, but very informative, great pictures, and fun way to learn the Sciences according to Qur’an
- Islamic Library for Young Muslims – Prophet Stories, Pillars & Much more
Please share additional fun Islamic stories available online below.
