Senior Grade/MAYA Program
There is no homework for these classes. I will bring materials, presentations, videos and movies with me. Come prepared to think on your feet, and expect the class to be packed with lots of discussions - and take some time out to grab some ice cream, go bowling and go to the Museums. My goal is to make you conversant about Islam with your friends, teachers and neighbors.
Sep 13, 2015
Welcome
Review of goals and discussion about what you would like to get out of this year.
Sep 20, 2015
An Overview of the Islamic World
We will review, compare and contrast the major movements in Islamic history: Sunni, Shi'ite, Sufi, etc. How the various movements were formed in reaction to excesses in society.
Sep 27, 2015
Fun Day and Picnic @ MCCGP
Oct 4, 2015
Getting Into The College of Your Dreams
We will discuss strategies for picking the right college, picking the right major and thinking about scholarships and financial aid.
Oct 11, 2015
Visions of Interfaith Tolerance in Islam
We will review the vision of interfaith tolerance in Quran, Sunnah and Hadith. Situations will be posed and you will be asked to present your point of view and what would Prophet Muhammad do if he faced the situation.
Oct 18, 2015
Morals, Manners and Ethics in Islam
In addition to discussing the difference between morals and manners, we will discuss why we come to Masjid school and why we go to regular school. We will review how VW and Penn State scandals were caused by profit-maximization-at-any-cost and cover-up-your-friends mindsets instead of having the moral courage to do the right thing.
Oct 25, 2015
Muslim Thinkers Contest
You will be required to attend and help out with the annual contest for the 5th through 8th grades.
Nov 1, 2015
The Four Schools of Law in Islam
In addition to discussing the difference between morals and manners, we will discuss why we come to Masjid school and why we go to regular school.
Nov 8, 2015
History of Terrorism
It hurts us deeply when we as Muslims are stereotyped as terrorists. However, the phenomenon of terrorism is as old as human history, and pervasive in every religion and every country. We will review the history of terrorism from first century onwards.
Nov 15, 2015
Major Muslim Empires.
After Muhammad, Islam spread through Khulfa-Rashdeen, followed by Ummayyads, Abbassids, Fatimids, Mongols, Ottomans, and Mughals. We will review the timeline and major movements in expansion of Islamic civilization.
Nov 22, 2015
Islamic Art and Architecture.
Islamic art and architecture are inspired by a vision of paradise, order and piety. In light of this, we will watch a PBS documentary on Islamic art and architecture. The movie beautifully introduces and depicts the various forms, styles and movements in Islamic civilization.
Nov 29, 2014
Thanksgiving Break.
Enjoy.
Dec 6, 2015
Islam and Science
Muslims carried the torch of science for a thousand years. We will review texts from Quran and Hadith that inspired Muslims to expand their knowledge and stay curious.
Dec 13, 2015
Islam and Science (continued)
There is a misperception out there that Muslims merely translated Greeks, Hindus and Chinese. I will show you a wonderful BBC documentary which will precisely show the original contributions made by Muslim Scientists and thinkers during the Golden Age of Islam.
Dec 20, 2015 Correcting Misperceptions About Islam in America
Interfaith Youth Core, Muslim Public Affairs Council, and Council on American-Islamic Relations are just a few of the organizations that are actively changing the misperceptions about Muslims and Islam in America. How are they doing it? What strategies are they using?
Jan 3, 2016
Spiritual Significance of Jihad
We will review an essay on Jihad by Syed Nasr Hossein, professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University. He postulates that Jihad has been misunderstood in popular imagination as the holy war. In reality, the concept of Jihad (which means to strive or to exert oneself) is the underpinning of the five pillars of Islam: Shahadah (one God), Salat (daily prayers), Zakat (sharing of wealth with poor), Ramadan (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina). All five pillars demand deep striving to regulate and find a balance in our energy, our wealth, and our conscience.
Jan 10, 2016
Women in Islam.
Women play a very strong role in Muslim societies. We will review the role of women as it is outlined in the Quran.
Jan 17, 2016
Life of Prophet Muhammad
BBC Series movie by Raghe Omar - part 1 of 3
Jan 24, 2016
Life of Prophet Muhammad
BBC Series movie by Raghe Omar - part 2 of 3
Jan 31, 2016
Life of Prophet Muhammad
BBC Series movie by Raghe Omar - part 3 of 3
Feb 7, 2016
Islam and Science
BBC Series movie by Jim Khalili- part 1 of 3
Feb 14, 2016
Islam and Science
BBC Series movie by Jim Khalili- part 2 of 3
Feb 21, 2016
Islam and Science
BBC Series movie by Jim Khalili- part 3 of 3
Feb 28, 2016
Tradition of Travel in Muslims
History of Muslim explorers
Mar 6, 2016
What it Means to be a Muslim in America Today
Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr talk in Pittsburgh
Mar 13, 2016
Spring Cleaning & Frogurt treat to follow
Mar 20, 2017
Mosques of Islamic World - in Class Presentations
Islamic civilization is over 1400 years old. In each era, a masterpiece mosque was built. Pick your favorite mosque from our hallway and read its description carefully. Present to class what you like about it, when it was built, who built it, etc. We will use the presentations as a launching pad for discussion about historical events in Islam.