May 1998 Islamic Weekend School

by Sheiba Waheed

The Islamic Foundation of Central Ohio’s Islamic Weekend School lies humbly on East Broad Street, its broken green sign proudly reading “Islamic Center” in clear white letters.  From the outside, the building is none too impressive: a former Boy Scouts house, the peeling paint and dusty crumbling bricks betray the fact that this structure is far past its prime.

With a hefty shove on the front door, the visitor is greeted by a musty odor, the result of perpetual plumbing difficulties.  Climbing up the staircase, one should be sure not to lean too heavily on the banister, for it has a tendency to lean itself.  While making salat, it is also wise to be aware of the ladybugs that enjoy crawling around on the floor in springtime.

However the Islamic Center is not merely a building.  The tree-lined brick pathway that runs along the side of the building still evokes an almost magical sense of complete serenity.  Emerging from its emerald canopy one finds a sizable green lawn free of weeds.  Relaxing here under the sun, it is quite easy to ruminate on the Magnificence of Allah’s Creation.

There is yet more to the Islamic Center’s merit.  This is evident in the countless dedicated members of the community who have and continue to strive to educate young Muslims.  Currently, the Islamic Center offers ten classes for individuals five to eighteen years of age, although both younger and older Muslims also attend.  At the moment, about 130 students are enrolled.  As not all of them can be comfortably and/or safely housed in the center, classrooms at East High school, across the street, have been rented for 7 of the classes.  This however, has become expensive, so alternatives are being explored at the moment.

The center follows the Islamic Foundation of Central Ohio Islamic Weekend School curriculum, which was drafted by a committee of community members who labored for 6 months to produce it.  Elements from the curriculum of 5 or 6 other schools in the United States and United Kingdom were adopted, and community feedback is always helpful.

Teachers are strictly volunteers, so the qualifications are understandably fluid.  Obviously a practicing Muslim with a solid base of Islamic knowledge is necessary, and at the very least, a high school diploma is required.  Feedback from the community is also appreciated, and taken into account.  Four of the current Islamic Center teachers are native Arabic speakers, but more are always welcome.

Every Sunday from 11:00 to 1:00, students attend the Islamic Weekend School to learn an hour of Arabic, in which the basics of the language or tafsir of the Quran is taught, and an hour of religion.  This broad subject includes topics such as fiqh and seerah.  There is also a 10 minute break between during with the students can snack on food brought in by various families, or purchase food sold b the Ladies’ Auxiliary.  The proceeds from this, of course, are for the Islamic Weekend School’s various expenses.

But what about the building?  The Islamic Center’s Executive Committee is currently trying to raise enough money to buy a former church facility.  The benefit of this would help the school tremendously.  Here too, community support would be greatly appreciated.