Mahad al-Zahra, Journeys 1432-1433H

J OUR N E Y S 1432- 1433H

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Introduction Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra

What it is?

Student Profiles

Nuzul al-Barakah

Daily Schedule Events

Sports and Recreational Activities

Al-Imtehaan al-Sanawi

Student Awards Tricks & Tips

_____________ contents

Foreword

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07 09 11 15 19 25 31 51 57

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Rawdat Tahfeez al-Atfal

Student Profiles

The Journey of Atfal

The Real Ikhtebaar

61 63 65

Other Activities

Nisaab al-Moallemeen

Houston Summer Camp

Chicago Summer Camp

Toronto Summer Camp Celebrations Huffaaz

75 77 81 85 89 93 95

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____________ foreword

As humble khidmatguzaar of Mahad al-Zahra USA, we strive everyday to attain the happiness of our beloved Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS and his Mansoos Syedi Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS , and we beseech strength and inspiration for this.

Our journey under the leadership and guidance of Janab Husain BS Saifuddin has seen success at every step. It all began with two huffaz, who made the long journey to Houston from Mahad al-Zahra to undertake the khidmat of Hifz al-Quran al-Majeed during the auspicious month of Ramadan. A great step towards our progress took place when Janab Husain BS Saifuddin himself came to the USA to deliver al-Taiseer fi Hifz al-Quran al-Karim seminars. This was a turning point for us.

Today, under the benevolent gaze of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS we have reached milestones we could never have imagined. How do we assess the different milestones we have achieved? We might add up the 30th Sipara certificates that have been handed out. We might count the huge number of mumineen who have signed up with E-learning, including an individual who became Hafiz al-Quran. Or perhaps we might look to the four years of continuous Quran Summer Camps taking place across the continent.

Great as these accomplishments may have been for us, they would have been impossible without the endless enthusiasm shown by those who were engaged in the act of hifz. After long hours at school, the students of Rawdat al Atfaal would approach their hifz with a stunning energy. Similarly, the genuine heart and courage shown by the students of Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra, residents of Nuzul al-Barakah, clearly delineated an aim for perfection in their pursuit of hifz. Come journey through our yearbook with us as we look back at the events of the past year. We hope and pray that this journey of ours remains blessed forever under the auspices of Mahad al-Zahra, Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, guided by the Doa Mubarak of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS and his Mansoos Syedi Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS. May their wish that every mumin perform Hifz al-Quran al-Majeed swiftly come to fruition.

Ameen.

Ilyas bin Juzer BS

Let the j ourney begin!

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____________ introduction

Over the past decade, Mahad al-Zahra, under the never ending grace and steadfast direction of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS, has transformed into a dynamic center for Quranic studies. A center for memorizing and studying al-Quran al-Majeed, Mahad al-Zahra has not only produced scores of Huffaz, but its reach spreads far and wide to members of the Dawoodi Bohra community all across the globe. It is Mahad al-Zahra’s foremost goal that Hifz al-Quran al-Majeed become a worldwide pursuit amongst Mumineen, with the ultimate aspiration of attaining Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s TUS happiness and benediction.

Mahad al-Zahra USA is a testament to the extent of Mahad al-Zahra’s global reach. Based in Houston, Texas, Mahad al-Zahra USA has initiated a number of novel projects with the aim to involve as many Mumineen as possible in the fruitful act of Hifz al-Quran al-Majeed. The most significant of these projects are the Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra and the Rawdat Tahfeez al-Atfal, the latter being a program to go along with Mahad al-Zahra’s annual summer camps for Mumineen children all across North America.

The Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra project, initiated two years ago, has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from school children all across the continent, with 15 students currently enrolled into the program and another six new students expected the following year. The Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra is a customized course for children to memorize the entire Quran-e-Majeed while simultaneously continuing their middle or high school education. Students are accommodated in Nuzul al-Barakah, a residential building with state-of-the-art facilities and a welcoming atmosphere. In addition to this carefully crafted academic curriculum, there are numerous other Barakat and privileges including: - - -

Barakat of studying Kutub al-Dawat Arabic language study Sports and recreational activities

The Rawdat Tahfeez al Atfal project was initiated three years ago to encourage school-age children of Houston to participate in Hifz al-Quran al-Majeed by giving them a concrete platform from which they could excel in this pursuit. So far, one of these students has already become a Hafiz al-Quran al-Majeed through the program; countless more will indubitably follow.

Every year is a milestone towards our final destination. The end of each year is the beginning of a new exciting chapter full of wisdom.

-M Juzer Hakimee

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It is better to travel well than to arrive poorly.

-Taher N

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I want to become a hafiz because I want to do tilawat in front of Aqa Moula TUS and help others become hafiz.

-

-Ammar Mahuwala

In every journey the first step matters most. Take it fearfully and you shall slip.

Take it fearlessly and you shall soar.

-M ustafa Z akir

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This year, I journeyed from Chicago to Houston. Although moving is difficult, I was granted the oppurtunity to do khidmat in Mahad al-Zahra, and I was able to start this new chapter of my life under the saya of al-Quran al-Majeed. I have seen its barakat in all aspects of my life, including my college classes.

In fact, every blessing since has been due to the barakat of this khidmat, and they are countless.

The Journey of Life Begins & Ends with al-Quran al-Majeed.

-Insiya Lokhandwala

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No Pain, No Hifz... Do Hifz, No Pain

-Mustafa Ghadiyali

It is good to have an end to a journey, but it is the journey that matters at the end.

-Qasim Anjarwala

-Husain Asgerali

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____

Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra

when ______

______ what

Th e N i sa a b Ma ha d a l- Z a hr a is a c u st o miz ed c o u rse f or c hild r e n m e m or iz ing t he ent ire Quran - e - M a j e e d a nd s im ult a ne ous ly a t t a ining t he B arak at of t he s ylla b us of A lja mea -t u s-S a ifiy ah . S tu d e nt s a r e a c c om m od a t e d in “ Nu z u l a lB arak ah , � a r e s id e nt ia l b uild ing with st a t e- o f-t heart f ac i l i t ie s a nd a n inv it ing home a t mo sp here.

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Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra began its odyssey in 2010 / 1431H amid the large urban sprawl of Houston, Texas. This was a fitting match, as Houston still reverberates with the Barakat of hosting the auspicious Miqat of Ashara Mubaraka 1422H. What better setting, then, to render in the splendor of al-Quran al-Majeed.

destination ______________

______ how

Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra has found a nationwide appeal among middle-schoolers and high-schoolers who have moved to Houston from their hometowns to fulfill their ambitions of becoming Hafiz al-Quran. Students have come from cities such as Toronto, Chicago, New York and San Francisco and have integrated themselves within the program with seamless ease.

The 1432-1433H journey has been a fruitful and exciting one for everyone involved in this program. Throughout the year, we worked both mentally and physically to arrive at the goal of our final destination: becoming a Hafiz al-Quran al-Majeed. However, our final destination is not a dead-end; rather it is a holistic goal that asks each voyager to explore a transformation in all aspects of life. To become a Hafiz, then, is not just to memorize the entire Quran-e-Majeed, but to open one’s self to the Barakat of “Ilm Ale Mohammad.�

Ammar Mahuwala

Huze

Hassan Bhinderwala

Ibrah

Husain Asgerali

Moh

Darajah Awwala Dallas, TX

Darajah Awwala Houston, TX

Darajah Awwala Chicago, IL

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Dara Chica

Dara Chica

Dara Hous

efa Bharouchwala

ajah Awwala ago, IL

Taher Jafferji

Darajah Awwala Boston, MI

him Asgerali

ajah Awwala ago, IL

hammad Khambati

ajah Awwala ston, TX

Student Profiles

Darajah Awwala

Abdeali Saherwala

Must

Darajah Saniyah Toronto, ON

Dara New

Husain Bharmal

Must

Darajah Saniyah Mississauga, ON

Dara New

Murtaza Ranijiwala

Qasi

Darajah Saniyah Fremont, CA

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Dara Chica

stafa Ghadiyali

ajah Saniyah w York, NY

stafa Haidermota

ajah Saniyah w York, NY

Yusuf Kerani

Darajah Saniyah Toronto, ON

Abdeali Karimjee Darajah Saniyah Houston, TX

im Anjarwala

ajah Saniyah ago, IL

Student Profiles Darajah Saniyah

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Nuzul al-Barakah

Shehzada Malik al-Ashter BS Shujauddin DM giving sharaf of Qadam to Mahad al-Zahra by visiting Nuzul al-Barakah. Shehzada Malik al-Ashter BS Shujauddin DM guidance and support has been pivotal in ensuring that our journey towards Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s TUS happiness remain steadfast and resolute.

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Mahad al-Zahra has created a luxurious and comfortable setting for students so they feel right at home.

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A day in the life of a Nisaab Student

Sleep

6:00 AM

School

7:00 AM

Fajr Namaaz / Breakfast

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1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00

Mahad al-Zahra Hifz session

0 PM

4:00 PM

Lunch

6:00 PM

Tadrees

8:00 PM

9:00 PM

Namaaz/Dinner

Qasidah/Sleep

10:00 PM School Work

Above: Tilaw

Students w hard to acc their daily hi ran al-Maje

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wat al-Dua

working complish ifz al-Queed goals.

Right: M. Juzer Khokhri teaching students uloom al-Quran Below Right: Students sitting in line for daily tasmee.

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____

Events 1433H

Musabaqat of Hayat Tayyebah This was an event that took place during the commemoration of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s TUS 101 milaad. During Ta’abudat one historical point about Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS ‘Ta’meeri’ (architectural) achievements was displayed on the Nuzul al-Barakah notice board. It was then taken off the following day to make room for the second point. Students were encouraged to note down and learn these points so that after all the points were displayed, they participated in the musabaqat of hayat tayyebah.

The students displayed great enthusiasm and eventually the Canadians surprised us all by winning the top 3 spots. The winner was given a choice of prizes ranging from Xbox 360 to 5 grams of gold.

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Husain Bharmal accepting his prize from Janab Shabbir BS Abilfazal BS

Shown above is Janab Shabbir BS giving the students of Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra Rawdat Hidayat Vol 2.

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Students being put to the test J a nab Sha b b i r B S Ab i l faza l B S v i s i t ed th e s tu d e nt s o f N i s a a b Mahad a l-Zah r a f o r t h e fi r st t i m e.

Janab Shabbir BS Abilfazal BS and Janab Ilyas BS Najmuddin taking an Ikhtebaar of the Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra students.

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Sports and Recreational Activities

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Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra students and teachers posing for a picture before their monthly soccer game.

Recreation Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra students visiting Sky Zone Sports in Houston for some trampoline funtime.

Azhar

Huzefa Baruchwala, Hasan Bhind Abidali (C) , Janab Taha B.S Shuja Jamali, Mustafa Ghadiyali , Abdea

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Juyushi

Husain Bharmal, Yusuf Kerani, M. Shabbir Ali bhai, M. Juzer Hakimee (C), Ibrahim Asgerali, Ammar Mahuwala

Taher Jaffe Khokhri, M

Aqmar

derwala, M. Murtaza auddin, M. Saifuddin ali Karimjee

Anwar

erji, Murtaza Ranijiwala, M. Juzer M. Qusai Kalolwala (C) , Abdeali Saherwala , M . Ja’far Bohra

Mustafa Haidermota, Janab Ilyas B.S Najmuddin (C) , M. Murtaza Tinwala, Qasim Anjarwala, Mohammad Khambati, Husain Asgerali

ready!

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get set

t!

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go!

Right: Studen push ups to g

Left: Murtaza Raniji serving the basketball court

Right: S is ang want to whe

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nts doing a few get warmed up.

Shabbir Alibhai gry. You do not o get in his way hen he is angry!

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Life and Sports are very similar; When the pressure is on. Can you make the play?

Left: M. Shabbir Alibhai making a run for a touchdown.

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Above: The four teams lined up in anticipation for the awards presentation

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Above: Janab Ilyas B.S Najmuddin awarding the players with their well deserved medals and awards.

Right: Mulla Shabbir Alibhai All Smiles after winning the MVP award

Ma h a d a l-Z a hr a An n ual Sp o r ts Co m pet it ion

American Football: The first event to start the Mahad al-Zahra USA Annual Sports Competition was American Football. al-Aqma M. Shabbir Alibhai from al-Juyushi carried his team of Canadians and a Malaysian to victory.

Soccer: Second week we had soccer as the main event and this time al-Juyushi was the overwhelming favorite with skilled and cr performance from al-Aqmar which did not concede a goal the whole tournament. We had a penalty shootout to decide the victor against al-Anwar in a play in game worked his magic again in the shootout and al-Azhar came away winning 2 – 1 in penalties .

Basketball: The third week saw some heated competition in the form of 3 on 3 basketball. Tempers flared and we had some very offensive onslaught of Qasim Anjarwala barely squeaked by al-Anwar in the finals. Qasim was accountable for 98% of the team’s po

Chinaball: The fourth week let us play a game that was a little foreign to all of us, ‘chinaball’ . Each team had quality players and e came away winning every single match in the round robin and eventually the finals. After four weeks all the teams were in the ru dominance.

Table Tennis, Track and Field: In singles table tennis al-Azhar made it an in house final between M. Saifuddin Jamali and Mustafa Ghadiyali. They also took gold in doubles with an all star side of Janab Taha BS Shujauddin and M. Murtaza Abidali . This led to Track and field to be the final judge of standings and once again in every event al-Azhar came away with a medal.

Annual Sports Medal Count and Final Standings Team

Points

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Total

al-Azhar

435

11

11

6

28

al-Juyushi al-Aqmar al-Anwar

395 275 245

20 6 -

2 18 18

2 8 24

24 32 42

So the intense five week competition had to crown a champion and with great leadership from their captain M. Murtaza Abidali al-Azhar came away as the first annual champion of the Mahad al-Zahra Sports Competition . May we all continue to compete and strive for excellance on and off the field and obtain the Blessing and Bounties from Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS and his Mansoos Syedi Mufaddal BS Saifuddin TUS.

Individual Medal Leaders Player

Team

Gold

Silver Bronze

Total

M. Shabbir Alibhai

al-Juyushi

4

1

2

7

Taher Jafferji Mustafa Ghadiyali M. Qusai Kalolwala Qasim Anjarwala

al-Anwar al-Azhar al-Anwar al-Aqmar

4 1

2 1 2 2

5 1 4 2

7 6 6 5

Right: Team Azhar eventually won the Annual Mahad al-Zahra Sports Tournament 1433H

ar came in as favorites with having the most versatile and athletic competitor, Qasim Anjarwala, but that is why we play the games.

rafty players such as M. Juzer Hakimee and Yusuf Kerani on their side. But once again the favorites fell and with a superb defensive rs between al-Aqmar and al-Azhar. The Golden boot of Mustafa Ghadiyali that got al-Azhar into the finals after delivering a winner

y aggressive yet sporting play. This was the first time the team that was the favorite to win actually delivered, al-Aqmar led by the points in the championship game. Al-Anwar tried but was not able to slow him down and had to settle for another second place finish.

each match was very much eventful. Al-Juyushi under the play of their captain M. Juzer Hakimee and co-captain M. Shabbir Alibhai unning for the overall championship and now it would come down to the individual sports, and this is where al-Azhar showed its

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al-Imtehaan al-Sanawi 1433H

a l- I m tehaan a l - S a n a w i 1 4 3 3 H Ma jl i s a l -Z i k r a 14 33 H m arked t he beg in n i n g of al-Imtehaan al-Sanawi f or s tu d e nt s o f N is aab Mahad al-Z a hra as it does for students of Alj a m e a - t u s- S a i f i y a h . S een b elow s t u den t s of Nisaab Mahad al-Zahr a being gr anted the shar af of Zikr a Wa’az r elay.

Bottom Left: Shehzada Malik al Ashtar BS DM presiding over Matam after Wa’az relay.

Next Page Top: Janab Ilyas bhaisaheb presiding over al-Imtehaan al-Sanawi 1433 H. Next Page Right: Huzefa Bharouchwala, comes fully prepared to answer questions given in the akhbar paper.

Far Right: Refreshments being served during the exam papers.

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Shehzada Malik al Ashtar BS DM giving sharaf to the students during al-Imtehaan al-Sanawi 1433H

Student Awards Mustafa Ghadiyali Best Cleanliness

Murtaza Ranijiwala

Best Ta’deeb and Most Helpful

Mohammad

Most Outstan

Husain Bharmal

Most Improved Student

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Ammar Mahuwala Most Cheerful

Ibrahim Asgerali

Hasan Bhinderwala

Abdeali Karimjee

Mustafa Ghadiyali

Outstanding in School

Most Cheerful

d Khambati

nding Student

Best Ahkaam

Most Popular

Tricks & Tips for Hifz al-Quran al-Majeed Do you want to hifz? Tired of slow progress on your jadeed? Is your muraja’at absolutely horrendous? Then you’ve come to the right place! Here are a few tricks and some exclusive insider information that’ll get you rolling in no time.

Before you can begin hifz of al-Quran al-Majeed, you need—and I do mean need—to be able to pray it correctly, with accurate pronunciation and intonation. This is not easy. I have spent many long hours doing hifz of an entire page, only to be stopped while reciting because my ‘‫ ’ح‬was awful enough to frighten passersby, or my ‘‫ ’ع‬resembled nothing more than a punctuated ‘‫’ا‬.

Unless your first language is Arabic, you, like most non-native Arabic speakers, will have trouble sounding out a few of the letters of the Arabic alphabet. ‘‫ ’ح‬and ‘‫ ’ع‬are two of the most feared letters amongst beginners. To begin with, you’ll have to exaggerate the sound of every letter that you pray. This may lead to many pained expressions on your face initially, but don’t worry: If that happens, it means you’re on the right track, so keep going!

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‫عح‬

One crucial aspect of hifz many people overlook is timing. When doing jadeed (new hifz), it’s important to do it when you are alert but relaxed. Because jadeed requires a strong mental focus, it’s best to do it in the morning. Alternately, if you are a night person, consider doing it before going to bed. Whenever you choose to do it, use your time wisely.

Being a part of Rawdat tahfeez al-Atfal, I have just three hours at Mahad every day. However, a lot of this time goes into sitting in a seemingly endless line, waiting for a chance to perform my daily recitation. Thus, I find it impossible to go and fulfill all my hifz duties within this allotted time frame.

I realized that I usually reach my weekly hifz targets when I complete what takes the most of my mental energy, muraja’at and ‘jadeed’ at home. When I come to Mahad al-Zahra, I then only have to worry about perfecting my Juz al-hali and other daily recitations. The few times I’ve hastily prepared everything during Mahad al-Zahra hours has shown me nothing but disappointment.

Muraja’at (revision) is the most important component of your daily hifz schedule. The ideal minimum time that should be spent revising a sipara is no more than 40 minutes, and like Janab always likes to remind us when the weekend arrives, Have fun, but remember there are no holidays from muraja’at!” That’s our daily motto.

Also, during muraja’at, one of the most helpful things to do is to quickly jot down your mistakes. When you recite that same sipara again the next time, look through all the mistakes that you have made and correct them before you pray. After all, isn’t that the whole point of coming here?

Don’t get too excited after successfully reciting your jadeed for the day. Yes, it’s definitely time to relax after all the hard work you put in, but keep in mind that the page you just memorized is new—and therefore tenuous—information in your mind. Make sure to look over it before going to bed, or you might find yourself wondering the next day if you had ever memorized it in the first place.

In addition to that, once you have passed nisf (the first ten pages) of a sipara, make sure you take out some extra time to pray those pages that are currently not included in your daily juz al-hali. If that’s not possible, include it as part of your weekly muraja’at, but in the long run, praying that sipara every day is going to make it easier later on when you have to do muraja’at.

No one said hifz was going to be a piece of cake, and yes, it’s a lot of hard work and pressure. But then again, pressure turns coals into diamonds.

Ummehani Hatim Karimjee

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____

Rawdat Tahfeez al-Atfal

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Sakina N Karimjee

Abbas A Najmi

Amatullah B Taquee

Rashida K Kanchwala

Husain M Motiwala

Naqiyah S Nagarwala

Taher K Kapadia

Asma Q Tinwala

Hamza K Kanchwala

Husain M Ghulamhusain

Sakina S Boxwala

Alefiya M Milwala

Batool B.S Najmuddin

Hamza M Raja

Husain T Raja

Husain S Alibhai

Fatema T Shipchandler

Ruqaiya S Jamali

Sakina S Zakir

Lamiya B.S Najmuddin

Mohammad H Zakir

Murtaza S Karimjee

Taher S Jamali

Zainab S Jamali

Mohammad M Badri

Mohammad I Dairywala

Mustafa I Adenwala

Sherebanu A Zakir

Ummesalma K Palanpurwala

Mohammad A Kanpurwala

Moiz T Kalolwala

Mustafa S Zakir

Shabbir A Kanpurwala

Khadija J Lokhandwala

Ummehani H Karimjee

Tasneem K Karimjee

Alefiya N Husain

Husain S Motiwala

The Journey of Atfal The year’s journey has been an amazing adventure for students and teachers alike. As always, our challenge this year was trying to keep children motivated doing hifz al-Quran al-Majeed, productively utilizing time they would otherwise have spent watching television or engaging in other less fruitful activities.

It has been an immeasurable joy to see the children line up for their turn to recite al-Quran al-Majeed with enthusiasm and keenness.

This shows the tremendous support both these children and their parents have shown in helping us succeed in our endeavor.

In Rawdat Tahfeez al-Atfal, almost all of the children have passed their ikhtibaar for juz salasoon, giving them great confidence and a thirst for doing more. The biggest achievement for the program was when one of the students completed Hifz of the entire Quran-e-Majeed.

However, this journey was not always easy, and we faced many hurdles along the way. Challenges included perfecting the pronunciation of students, who found it difficult to express the correct 65

makharij of Arabic letters with their strong English accents. One solution we discovered was to have listening stations where an audio recording of a professional qaar’i is made available to a student. The student was able to listen to the perfect pronunciation of a word letter and through multiple imitations, he or she gradually was successful with a more correct pronunciation.

The inaccurate hifz the children had done before enrolling in the Rawdat Tahfeez al-Atfal program was also a difficult issue: Even when the mistake was corrected on numerous occasions, they initially reverted frequently to their original mistakes. After many more reminders of the corrections, the students were finally able to stamp out previous long-term mistakes.

On a lighter note, it was terrific to see children with a Quran-e-Majeed in their hands, enjoying time with their fellow students, and even planning surprise birthday parties for each other.

As we approach the end of our journey, the only words which come to mind are ‘Khuda Ta’ala hamara Beve Moula ne sehat ane aafiyat ma baaqi ane baaqi rakhe. Ameen’.

Tasneem Doctor

Back Row: Janab M Juzer Hakimee, Abbas M. Aliasger Najmi, Mustafa Sh Shabbir Zakir, Mohammad Sh Ismail Dairywala, Taher Sh Shabbir Jamali, Husain Sh Yusuf Motiwala, Husain Sh Mustafa Gulamhusain, Janab M Murtaza Badri Front Row: Husain Sh Shabbir Ali bhai, Mustafa M Ibrahim Adenwala, Moiz Sh Tayeb Kalolwala, Murtaza Sh SaifuddinKarimjee, Taher Sh Khuzema Kapadia

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Back Row: Batul B.S Najmuddin, Sakina Sh Najmuddin Karimjee, Khadijah Sh Juzer Lokhandwala.

Front Row: Asma Qaid Tinwala, Amatullah Sh Mustafa Gulamhusain, Amatullah Sh Burhanuddin Taquee, Alifiya Sh Mohamadali, Millwala, Lamya B.S Najmuddin, Naqiyah Sh Shabbir Nagarwala

Above: Rawdat Tahfeez al-Atfal students participate every week in Maqarat (Group Recital) of a sip The Goal being to help the children build confidence to perform tilawat in front of an audie

Above Right: Rawdat students reciting in their daily maq

Below Right: Students sitting in line for daily tasm

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para. ence.

qraat.

mee.

Seen Above: Taher reciting the final page of Jadeed to Janab Ilyas BS Najmudidn. Taher Sheikh Shabbir bhai Jamali became the first student to successfully come through the Rawdat Tahfeez al Atfal program, and hifz the entire Quran-e-Majeed.

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The Real Ikhtebaar It was finally here. It was the day I had been waiting for the past five years of my life; and it was here. I opened my eyes and wiped off the morning crust as I slowly yawned and rolled off of my bed. I opened the curtains and saw the bright Mumbai sky. I didn’t know that would actually be the brightest part of my day. As I turned away from the window I find that my nose is dripping like an erupting volcano and my head is pounding as if someone were slamming it with a giant hammer. I was sick. I thought to myself: my day couldn’t possibly get any worse. I guess I was wrong. I quickly got dressed in my best clothes and sprinted downstairs. It was 2:30 and I had to be at Badri Mahal by 3. I ran out the front door of the hotel and the door man said: Ay bhaiya! Aaj sab band he! Koi taxi ya rickshaw nahi! Hartal he aaj”.

Greaaatt! a riot on one of the biggest days of my life and I had to be at Badri Mahal in thirty minutes. Once again I thought: the day couldn’t possibly get any worse. Mohammad bhai and Jafar bhai stood on both sides of me doing a constant tasbeeh of No tension Thai Jase”. Our next stop was the Bombay central train station. We quickly sprinted there. I kept a handkerchief in one hand to block the eruption in my nose, while I kept another in my left hand to wipe off the fountain of sweat seeping from my every pore. It was 2:45 and no one had the money to buy a ticket. We all sprinkled change out of our pockets to pay for the twelve rupees. We hopped on the train and breathed a slight sigh of relief but not for long.

Someone screamed that we

were on the girl’s section of the train! We quickly got off but the train had already started to move! We ran as fast as we could and barely hopped on to the men’s section in time. I was nearly going to have a heart attack. This day could seriously not have gotten any crazier. We got off the train after a few blocks and then ran another half mile to finally get to Badri Mahal. I sprinted up the stairs while simultaneously trying to clean myself up. I saw Janab Shk. Murtaza bhai Qari sitting there waiting on the chair in the office. My heart was pounding so hard that it could have busted through my chest and escaped at any moment. I followed him down the seemingly endless hallway. The moment had finally come: my ikhtebaar. The same bismillah that I had been practicing for years would shine like never before that day.

I slowly walked into Husain Bhaisaheb’s room. I looked around subtly making sure that I was in the right place. I felt my whole my body shaking as I walked deeper and deeper into the room. This was it. Finally. I sat down and mustered up all my courage as I started to open my mouth. As I began to recite, I felt my confidence exponentially increasing.

The feeling was amazing; irreplaceable. A few mistakes made me stumble here and there, but I hoped that I was still okay. When I finished reciting the last question from 30th sipara, I thought that it was finally done...but I guess not. I was still scared because there was no indication of whether I had passed or not. I was asked a few more questions about ahkaam, makharij, and my overall hifz routine in Houston. Time went by and still no indication of anything. I did salaam and began to walk out of the room; my face still filled with worry and anxiety (although I tried my best not to show it). I opened the door and right then I heard it...”barakallaho feek”. The biggest smile popped up on my face.

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This feeling of overwhelming euphoria flooded my entire body. I couldn’t believe it.

I had done it.

So this was it, right? This was my ikhtebaar, right? Wrong...

This whole elaborate experience was an embodiment of the real ikhtebaar in my life: hifz. Every step I had taken that day was parallel to my entire life up to that point. Sure there were many obstacles just like the hartal or the flu I had caught that day. Sometimes I would also be tempted to go to the mall or the movies with my friends or even...to just do nothing at someone’s house. While doing my homework late in the middle of the night, I would often feel tempted to just sleep on my desk right there and then. Sometimes the obstacle was just to get rid of my headache and concentrate so I could do hifz properly again. In all those times I would always remember the real sanad that I was working for. No its not the sanad for the hifz ikhtebaar. This sanad is more important than that: bewe moula ni khushi. With this goal in mind, all obstacles flew away like pieces of scrap paper in a tornado. This is the experience that I really wanted to share. Not my normal ikthebaar...but the REAL ikhtebaar of balancing hifz, education, sleep, and recreation to achieve the ultimate prize of bewe moula ni khushi.

Khuda taa’la Quran-e-Majeed na hafiz moula ane aap na mansoos aali qadr moula ne Quran-e-Majeed parwha ane Quran-e-Majeed parhawa waaste qayamat na din lag baqi ane baqi rakhjo. Ane sagla ne ye mawali na saya ma Quran-e-Majeed hifz karwoo naseeb thai.

Taher Jamali

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Other Activities

Above: Head Moallemeen from various Madaris Imaniyah

Nisa a b a l-M oa lle m e e n There is an ever increasing demand of students doing hifz all across North America. Nisaab al Moallemeen is a long term initiative undertaken by Mahad al-Zahra in collaboration with ‘Attalim’ (North America) to help create a hierarchical chain by which Mahad al-Zahra can impact madrasa going students nationwide by training the head Moallemeen of different

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cities and in turn having them train Moallemeen under them and eventually undertake the responsibility of hifz al-Quran al-Majeed for madrasa going students.

The head Moallemeen were put through a two week crash course and where they completed hifz of Juz Salasoon and perfect their ahkaam and makharij. They were also given extensive lessons on uloom al-Quran.

Left: We see here in the morni across North America obtainin tuning of skills they will need t cities.

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ning sessions head moallemeen from ing the guidance, principles, and fine to teach students in their respective

Right: The hard work done in the morning gets to see its fruition in the afternoon as Head Moallemeen perform tasmee khidmat during the afternoon sessions of Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra and Rawdat Tahfeez al-Atfal.

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Summer Camps 1433H Mahad al-Zahra did its utmost this year to promote hifz al-Quran al-Majeed across North America.

Mahad al-Zahra’s annual summer camps, is a big reason Mahad al-Zahra has quickly gained popularity nationwide. This year Mahad al-Zahra hosted summer camps in Chicago, Toronto as well as Houston with attendees from not only North America but across the globe. These summer camps help encourage and motivate students for hifz al-Quran al-Majeed using the proper methodology while simultaneously organizing fun and unique activities for them to productively make use of their summer vacation.

Hou sto n S u m me r Cam p 1 43 3 H For the fourth consecutive year Houston had the pleasure of hosting a Quran camp. The most important aspect of this camp is to stengthen the ahkaam and makharij of the students giving them a strong foundation so they can continue the journey of memorizing Quran-e-Majeed long after they leave the camp.

Left: One of the more unique camp activities that took place during the camp was a Car Rally. Students were divided up into teams and sped off on the adventure the Rally Map had set out for them

Right: Everybody enjoys Paintballing

Right: Students on the field trip to Dallas

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Left: Students finishing their day with Faiz Mawaid al Burhaniyah

Right: Students shooting some B-ball

Left: Sudents were given short term courses on computer programs

Chi c a g o S u m me r C am p 1 43 3 H In the summer of 2012, Mahad al-Zahra organized a second Quran camp in Chicago. Janab Mulla Juzer Khokhri, was sent to Chicago in order to make this camp a success. A total of 27 students from Chicago and other states took part in hifz, studies related to language, and Quran-e-Majeed. Mahad al-Zahra also organized many 85

recreational and informative activities such as jet-flying, horse-riding, wood-working, a day at Navy Pier (Downtown Chicago), fabric painting, fishing, visits from the fire department and Paramedics and many more.

This camp was a success because many students attained a remarkable level in ahkaam and makharij. Students also acquired a certificate for the completion of juz salasoon. Students were even enrolled for E-learning classes so that they could continue with their hifz.

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T o ro nt o S u mm er C am p 1 43 3 H The third and final camp of the year was held exclusively for girls in Toronto. This camp was tailored to help girls receive the Barakat of al-Quran al-Majeed and explore the depths of our Fatemi culture. As in every camp, khidmatguzaar to their best abilities showed students how Quran-e-Majeed can be integrated into their day to day life and how beneficial that integration can be.

T h i s cam p wa s th e f i r st o f its k ind in ma ny r e s p e cts i n cl u d i n g acco mmo da ting s tudents i n a s i n g l e l o d g i n g f acility w hich till no w h ad o n l y h a p p e n e d i n Ho us to n.

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Ce

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elebrations

...in all those not

With this g

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M. Jafar Shk. Shabbir Bohra Hafiz 1433H Houston, TX

Taher Shk. Shabbir Jamali Hafiz 1433H Houston, TX

e times I would always remember the real sanad that I was working for. No, its t the ‘sanad’ for the hifz ikhtebaar but a ‘sanad’ far more important:

’bewe moula ni khushi’.

goal in mind, all obstacles flew away like pieces of scrap paper in a tornado...

-Taher Jamali

Ma ha d a l-Z a hra U SA 18334 Flint Hill Dr., Katy, TX 77449|+1 (713) 429-5024|mahad.usa@jameasaifiyah.edu|www.mahadalzahra.com