

Madina Newsletter
February 9th, 2024
Edited by Zainah Khaliq
Principal's Message
Dear Madina Academy Family,
As we navigate the school year, we want to ensure you're well-informed of the upcoming events and important dates. Mark your calendars for these noteworthy occasions:
February 12th - February 16th Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Parent/Teacher Conference Week.
February 15th: Half Day & Professional Development
- Dismissal will be at 12:30 pm to accommodate professional development sessions for our dedicated faculty. These sessions are vital for our teachers to continue providing high-quality education to our students.
February 16th: Half Day for Parent-Teacher Conferences
- The school will close at 12:30 pm to facilitate parent-teacher conferences. These conferences are a valuable opportunity for parents and teachers to collaborate on the progress and well-being of our students. Please ensure you've scheduled a time slot with your child's teacher.
February 19th & 20th: No School
February 23rd: Muslimah Night
February 26th-1st: Spirit Week
March 1st: Re-enrollment Begins & STEM Night
- Re-enrollment for the upcoming school year 2024-2025 opens. Secure your child's place for another year of excellent learning.
- Join us for our STEM Night, where families will enjoy innovative games and showcases. It celebrates their hard work and creativity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
March 8th: Welcome Ramadan Celebration & Science Fair
- We'll start the day with our Welcome Ramadan Celebration for students, embracing the spirit of this holy month with activities and learning about its significance.
- Additionally, a half-day schedule will be observed to accommodate the Science Fair. Dismissal will be at 12:30 pm. Don't miss out on our students' impressive display of Science.
We look forward to these events with great anticipation and hope to see the entire Madina Academy community unite to support our students.
Shaping Future Leaders: Our Students' Journey to Leadership Conferences
In an inspiring testament to the potential within our young learners, students from our Elementary and Middle Schools recently embarked on a transformative journey, attending esteemed Leadership Conferences. These events, renowned for their rigorous programs designed to foster leadership qualities, provided our students with unparalleled opportunities to learn, grow, and envision their future roles as leaders in society.
The conferences, tailored to young minds, introduced our students to a plethora of leadership skills, including effective communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. Through interactive workshops, engaging seminars, and inspirational talks from renowned leaders, our students gained insights into the qualities of a great leader.
One of the key highlights was the practical leadership challenges, where students applied their newfound skills in real-world scenarios, working collaboratively to devise solutions to complex problems. This hands-on approach solidified their learning and sparked a sense of responsibility toward making positive changes in their communities.
Moreover, interacting with peers from diverse backgrounds broadened their perspectives, teaching them the value of empathy, inclusivity, and respect in leadership. Our students returned with stories of unique experiences and a deeper understanding of the diverse world they are poised to lead.
The impact of these conferences extends beyond our students' individual growth. It resonates through our school community, inspiring their peers and creating a culture of leadership and excellence that permeates every classroom. Our students have begun initiating projects to improve school life, demonstrating the immediate application of their leadership training.
Thanks,
Dr. Ray Cooper
Principal
Madina Elementary & Middle School Students Attend Leadership Conferences
By: Noor Hassan, Salma Hassan, Sohyla Hassan, and Afsa Raja
On January 12, 2024, twelve Madina Academy students were nominated by teachers for an opportunity to attend a leadership conference in Waterbury. Each student was assigned a partner to attend three sessions with, alongside students from numerous schools. Each session taught unique attributes of leadership. The conference dispersed numerous leadership skills that enhanced their initiatives. Throughout the conference, students were given a chance to develop new skills and thoroughly encouraged to socialize with new people. Congrats to all of our 2024 leadership students!
“One of the valuable sessions we attended was the decision-making class. Throughout our lives, we are constantly in situations that require us to make choices, whether they have a large or small impact. Having the ability to make the right decision and understanding the consequences of our choices is extremely valuable. During this session, we were given a scenario in which we had to determine the meeting place for a group of friends. We had to understand the advantages and disadvantages of various locations, considering factors such as safety, inclusivity, cost-effectiveness, enjoyment, and diversity. By understanding the significance of each element, we made a decision. This class proved to be very valuable because decision-making is a part of our lives, and we need to have a thorough understanding of every decision's impact on us and those in our surroundings.” ~ Afsa Raja, 6th Grade
“Another useful class that some of us attended instructed us on how to deal with problems that we face in life. We thought this was a very beneficial class because many of us face problems or are put in situations that are hard to deal with. When facing problems, we have to decide whether to deal with them positively or negatively. When you deal with problems in a positive way your outcome will turn out great, whereas, when you deal with problems negatively you will always have a negative outcome. For example, when someone gets a bad grade on a test, dealing with it positively will be asking a teacher what mistake they made, working on themself, and trying to retake the test if they can. This will have an outcome of getting a better grade next time. A negative response to a bad grade is throwing a tantrum in the class and the outcome would lead to many consequences. ” ~ Salma Hassan & Sohyla Hassan, 6th Grade
“Navigating our social levels of leadership can be challenging without opportunity and guidance. Engaging in newly-introduced events can be a tricky endeavor, as finding a place among our peers is a source of blind treasure. This leadership conference was a way to navigate my position in life, and to value the most important terms: do the little things. Throughout the time, I was blessed with a position to meet new people and learn skills from different aspects of life. During my trip, I was subjected to three classes. The most outstanding to me, the ‘Decision Making’ class, taught me how effective choices are made, utilizing various factors such as cost-effectiveness, versatility, and enjoyment. This class left a valuable mark, as decision-making is an important key to one’s leadership journey. My initiative grew through participation in this leadership activity, which helped me develop new abilities. “ ~ Noor Hassan, 8th Grade
A Student’s Day at the Conference By: Yusuf Nemlaghi
Yusuf Nemlaghi
My experience at the Middle School Leadership Conference was amazing. The college was big and nice with decorations everywhere. At the beginning of the conference, Kendrick Moore gave a speech. It was very inspiring. Kendrick Moore is an empathetic leader who helps others achieve their dreams through motivational podcasts.
One of the statements that I still remember is, “It is the little things in life that matter.” I started to do little things that take no effort but make a big change, like smiling at people.
After that, we had learning sessions, and I got paired with a classmate. In my first session, we did an activity where we guessed the path the teacher made. We got to the end of the path through team effort.
In my second session, we sat in groups and discussed which was better, going to a park, a mall, a theme park, a friend's house, or a group hangout. We had to do math and it was easy. The math was to choose different places and determine if it was fun or not. For example, we had to choose the cost of the place, how fun it is, and how many things you can do at it. After adding and multiplying, the theme park had the highest score and it was the place to go.
At lunch, I ate a nice meal with my friends. The cafeteria was huge with air hockey, ping pong tables, and chess. Later, we had our last session, which was making a poster to get people to buy concert tickets at a park. I worked with two other students, and our poster looked amazing. We handed it in and headed to the theater room, where there was another conference. The speaker said, “ If you want something, you have to work hard for it,” and I left with that thought in my mind.
I am very grateful for this experience that was given to me. I got to work with students from other schools. I learned that with tiny consistent habits, we can make a monumental change.
Elementary School Leadership Conference By: Sarah Zoghol (4th Grade)
My experience at the leadership conference was great! There were many things they taught us like to always include people in everything. There was one session where we listened to a person who explained that you should always examine your relationships. You should not make fun of people--no matter what they look like or what they wear--because you will feel bad later on in your life about who you made fun of. That was most of what they taught us.
Madina Academy Stands With Palestine!
Introduction: By: Zainah Khaliq
In the complex tapestry of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, threads of suffering and resilience weave together over 75 years. The seeds of this discord were sown post-World War I, as the Balfour Declaration granted Zionists a claim to the land of Palestine, setting the stage for the conflict still going on today.
From the early years to the present, the region has witnessed a series of events shaping its destiny. Now, as we witness the increase in events since October 7th, the need for understanding and compassion becomes more crucial than ever.
As we stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine, it is our collective responsibility to do everything we can to aid them.
In the spirit of active support, Madina Academy has been working hard to make a real difference. From initiating an impactful online campaign to dedicating an entire week of fundraisers for Gaza, our community has tried our best to help our brothers and sisters. Together, we've raised a commendable total of $27,600, a testament to our students’ commitment to help as best as they can.
This newsletter edition serves as a chronicle of our shared commitment to Palestine. As we become more and more aware of this conflict, let us remember that every act of kindness, awareness raised, and dollar donated contributes to a brighter future for the people of Palestine.
If you wish to donate, here is our campaign link.
Thank you to all our generous donors. You are making the world of a difference, and inshaAllah will be rewarded by Allah (SWT) in this life and the Hereafter. Congratulations to our top campaigners!
Sarah Elsherbini raised $3,656
Zaynab Khawaja raised $3,069
Aliaa Hassan raised $2,713
Faqiha Faheem raised $2,476
Aleeza Ehmad raised $1,030
Muid Billah raised $1,007
Madina Academy Stands With Palestine!
Palestine Week By: Ayoub Elamrani
On the week of January 8th, Madina Academy held multiple fundraisers to support Gaza. Ms. Salwa and Madina Academy students worked to coordinate many different fundraisers. Each day had fun activities and unique fundraisers to help our brothers and sisters struggling in Gaza. All proceeds were used by Islamic Relief, a trusted agency, to provide food, clean water, medicine, tents, blankets, etc. to those who desperately need it in Palestine. On top of the daily in-school fundraisers, Madina Academy created a group on Islamic Relief where students could create their funding pages. Students were able to set a goal on how much they wanted to raise and could send it out to friends, family, and anybody else to raise funds. This method of fundraising has proven to be successful in the past and creates competition to raise as much money for Gaza between students. An electronics recycling drive and a Miles of Pennies Challenge happened all week. People were encouraged to donate any old and broken cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc. which would be traded in for money to be donated to Gaza. The Mile of Pennies challenge was a good way to get rid of spare change. After reaching a mile's worth of coins, two Madina Academy high school students shaved their heads on Friday.
Monday
On Monday, a dress-down day was held for $3. Students were able to dress in comfortable clothes, and many students dressed in Palestinian clothing or colors.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, elementary students organized a bake sale. Many items were sold and the younger students were eager to be involved in helping our fellow Muslims in Gaza. They did a great job and raised tons of money for Gaza. Over $2,500 was raised, shocking all the older students who have been in the fundraising trade for years.
Wednesday
Wacky Wednesday was a great way to raise money while also creating a fun and unique competition. Students were encouraged to wear their wackiest outfits. There were also wacky snacks and a juice box as well. All of this only cost $5. The people with the wackiest outfits won prizes and it was a fun yet different way of raising money.
An arm wrestling tournament was also held. Students paid $2 to participate, and they fought it off during lunch. There were many interesting matches, and overall, this fundraiser made a lot of memories as well as money.
Thursday
National Honor Society students held a breakfast sale on Thursday. Having the opportunity to eat breakfast in school was great for students, as even though breakfast is the most important meal of the day, many students often cannot eat it. Many breakfast items were sold including pancakes, waffles, bagels, muffins, and more. The NHS students did a great job and sold most of the food.
Friday
Madina Academy held a free dress-down day and a family fun day on Friday. Students were encouraged to wear their cultural clothing or flag colors. 9th and 10th grade students organized the family fun day, which began after Jumuaa salah. Food, snacks, and drinks were for sale, including tacos, biryani, cupcakes, and much more. The high schoolers put together many activities. Read more about them in the Upper School News Section. The community also witnessed students shaving their heads after reaching a mile’s worth of pennies in the Mile of Pennies challenge. Overall, it was a great way to get the Madina Academy community together while also raising money for Gaza.
Upper School Palestine Events:
Upper School Activities for Family Fun Day! By: Fatima Khan
On January 12th, Madina Academy held a Family Fun Day in which all the proceedings would go to the Gaza Emergency Fund. Upper School students created various activities and crafts for the children during the event. The activities included: bracelet making, decorating cupcakes, henna, face painting, slime, puppet making, and more. Mrs. Salwa and her students also held an enormous bake sale with baked goods, tacos, rice, and more!
We owe a big thanks to our students, Dr. Cooper, Mrs. Salwa, and all of the other teachers for making these fundraisers possible throughout the week.
NHS Involvement
The National Honors Society (NHS) is an organization for high schoolers that promotes leadership, service, character, and scholarship. As of now at Madina Academy, the members of the NHS Qalam Chapter released their school hoodies that can be sold to everyone, Alhamdulillah! All the profit will go towards the Gaza Emergency Relief Fund. If you would like to purchase one, here is the form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jBkOPtOh-kp1lXFk2oVFxFv3Ow9PPzg7NtX6_YQecag/edit
More About the Old Electronic Donation Drive:
Three students from 11th Grade--Salma, Sidra, and Tasneem--organized an Old Electronic Donation Drive. The Old Electronic Donation Drive is still ongoing. Students, parents, and teachers can bring their old electronics to the school and place them in a bin near the front door. The 11th Grade organizers are to then sell the electronics to an Electronic Center. All the proceedings will go to the Gaza Emergency. If you have any spare electronics in the house, we highly encourage you to put them to good use by dropping them off here at Madina.
Upper School News
Ojala Naeem: Windsor Town Councilor Visits Madina to Share Her Inspiring Story By: Fatima Khan
Last month, a Windsor Councilwoman named Ojala Naeem paid a visit to Madina Academy Upper School students to discuss her career and how she got to where she is now. During her visit, she shared insights into her background, highlighting her journey to becoming a voice for the people in her community.
One of the key takeaways from her talk was the importance of staying true to one's faith and not letting it limit one's potential. “I learned that being a Muslim doesn’t limit you and as long as you are doing something that pleases Allah then go for it and Allah will put Barakat in it.” (Tasneem Zoghol, 11th Grade) She encouraged the students to always strive towards doing what pleases Allah and to never be afraid of advocating for their religion and community. Furthermore, Councilwoman Naeem mentioned that she is working with the Windsor mayor and council to pass a resolution and demand for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Overall, her visit was a great opportunity for the students to learn from. It showed them a different path they could take in the future, dealing with the importance of working towards the betterment of society. She taught them to stand up for what they believe, and that if anyone needs representation, it is us Muslims.
Madina Partners with UConn Health High School Mentoring Program: Tasneem Zoghol (11th grade) Participates in the High School Program
Madina Academy is collaborating with UConn Health for our students to participate in the "Mentoring Program." UConn Health have mentors from a variety of different biomedical fields including aging, bioengineering, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, orthopaedics, psychiatry, public health sciences, regenerative medicine and skeletal biology. Some offer bench research, some offer patient records based, some offer computer-based projects. All of the projects are actual research based on the mentor’s own research project. Students must be 16 to be admitted to the program. After the initial paperwork and medical records have been submitted, the student is given a list of mentors and areas to communicate with in order to secure a place. Tasneem Zoghol is our first students who has received placement, and we have two students in the waiting list.
Tasneem's initial experience:
Alhamdulillah, my first day as a UConn Health Mentored Lab Intern was very fun and beneficial! I was given a tour of the building(which is way bigger than I thought), then a tour of the lab. The professor explained the project they were working on in the lab, which was related to genetics and genome sciences. After watching the PhD students working in the lab, I went to an auditorium where I watched other PhD students presenting their monthly work and receiving feedback and advice from other biologists and scientists( I have to admit that part was a little funny because there was a bunch of judges nitpicking the PhD students’ projects). When I went back to the lab, the PhD student taught me how to measure cell density and calculate it. After that she let me make my own flask! I learned how to sterilize the working station, transfer protein “broth” to the flask, and use pipettes of different sizes to add cells to my flask(this part was fun and nerve-wrecking because I was warned about the importance of not touching other surfaces, including my skin, to avoid contaminating the cell culture, but I was able to do it well!) Then, I covered my flask to keep it sterile and put it in an orbital shaker so that the cells can expand and I can continue working on them next week! My favorite part of the experience was that I was able to see the Medical and Dental schools on my way to the lab and meet new people!
Tasneem Zoghol (11th Grade)
High Schoolers learn about CAREERS IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH: Judicial Branch Virtual Job Shadow
On Friday, February, 2024, many high schoolers participated in The Judicial Branch Experiential Learning Program right from our classrooms via a virtual live Job Shadow webinar. The program provided the high schoolers with an overview of careers in the Judicial Branch. The webinar first started with a short live presentation from the esteemed American lawyer and Judge Raheem Mullins, who served as a judge of the Apellate Court and as a Judge of a Superior Court. He spoke of his own personal journey, the difficulties he faced, his teachers, and the motivating factors that pushed him to achieve his goals when the stakes were high. He talked about how starting a family very early in his life made it so much more challenging, and he also expounded on the racism and discrimination he faced. Best of all, he answered every one of our questions, and we were amongst thirty other schools around Connecticut logged into the live webinar.
Associate Justice Raheem L. Mullins' biography:
Justice Raheem L. Mullins was nominated to the Supreme Court on October 4, 2017 by Governor Dannel P. Malloy, and was sworn in on November 1, 2017. He is the youngest person to be nominated to the Supreme Court. Prior to this appointment, Justice Mullins served as a judge of the Appellate Court and as a judge of the Superior Court: Connecticut Judicial Branch.
Justice Mullins received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts in 2001 and his Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in 2004. Justice Mullins is admitted to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court as well as the Connecticut Bar.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Justice Mullins was an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Appellate Bureau, Division of Criminal Justice, in Rocky Hill, and an Assistant Attorney General in the Child Protection Division in Hartford. He worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Frederick L. Brown of the Massachusetts Appeals Court from 2004 to 2005.
Justice Mullins is a member of the Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court and the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association. He serves as Chair to the Code of Evidence Oversight Committee, 2018 to present. He also served as a member of the Young Lawyers Section of the Connecticut Bar Association, the Board of Directors for the Fund for Greater Hartford and, in 2007, as an Executive Committee Member of the Government Division of the Connecticut Bar Association.
We then broke up into different sessions:
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
SESSION A: Court Clerk’s Office
Students were given an overview of civil, family and criminal court operations. This
included a description of the Judicial District and the Geographical Area Courts and
the types of cases they process, the role and responsibilities of a Chief Clerk and
Deputy Chief Clerk and other positions that serve the public.
Presenters: Brandon Pelegano, Esq. Chief Clerk, Judicial District Court, Hartford
Timothy Bibeau, Esq. Deputy Chief Clerk, Geographical Area Court, Hartford
SESSION B: Office of Adult Probation
Students were given an overview of the role and responsibilities of an Adult
Probation Officer. This included: assessing client and community risk factors, monitoring probationers through office reporting and home visits, conducting pre-trial investigations and setting up restitution for victims. There was also a discussion on the minimum requirements needed to become an Adult Probation Officer.
Presenters: Mikisha Bellamy, Chief Probation Officer II, CSSD Training Academy, New Britain
Latira Nesmith, Adult Probation Officer II, CSSD Training Academy, New Britain
SESSION C: Juvenile Justice System
Students were given an overview of the Juvenile Justice System and the services it
provides to youths at risk. This included assessment, treatment options and programs
available to them.
Presenter: Meghan Korn, Juvenile Matters Supervisor I, CSSD Training Academy, New Britain
Madina Students take courses at Southern Connecticut State University at NO COST!
Our Dual Program students can now take university level courses at the SCSU TUITION FREE. In addition, if students receive financial aid, then even the application fee is waived! In other words, they would be taking university courses at no cost at all!
Currently, we have two students in grades 11th and 12th taking courses at the university as part of the dual program. Our 11th grader is taking an online Islamic Civilization class, and the 12th grader is taking a Spanish course- both are necessary to fulfill Madina Academy Graduation requirements.
Interviews:
By: Faqiha Faheem and Fatima Vahora
Sohyla & Salma Hassan, 6th Grade
What was your experience running a bake sale for the first time?
“Running a bake sale for the first time was a great opportunity. It was really fun and it reminded me of shopping stores (having to exchange goods). It was a great opportunity for us and we loved it and raised money for Gaza and definitely would love to do it again.”
What do you feel about the situation of what's going on in Gaza?
“It is really devastating knowing that our Muslim brothers and sisters are getting killed, their land is being taken, they have no food or water or any shelter, and their hospitals are being bombed. It's really sad but we should all try to make dua, so Inshallah they'll be free and get their land back.”
Did you think that the fundraisers for Gaza were beneficial?
“The bake sales were definitely beneficial, knowing that all the people who came were able to have fun and also raised money to help the Palestinians and it was even funner knowing that we were able to make things for the Ramadan sale. We were able to make some cards and give them out. Also, people enjoyed it and raised a lot of money for Gaza.”
In what ways do you think that Madina Academy as an Islamic school could support Gaza?
“We should definitely do more bake sales and more activities. Since we’re a Muslim community, if everyone makes dua together then it would be the whole school making dua and in every khutbah they should include dua for Palestine too. We can make more bake sales, and fundraisers that people from kindergarten to twelfth grade can do.”
Danah Abu Hamdan, Islamic Studies and Quran
Did you think that the fundraisers for Gaza were beneficial?
“Yes, definitely because without the activities that they had, that amount of money would have not been collected and it also raised awareness and helped students and parents to contribute and feel that they are doing something beneficial.”
2. Do you think that the fundraisers for Gaza were well organized?
“There's always room for improvement for what has been done. I feel that it was well organized, a lot of classes, grades, and students participated. If I can think of something I could add or I could change is to spread this over a couple of weeks or months so that we can keep the support going and keep the people connected with the cause.”
3. In what ways do you think that Madina Academy as an Islamic school could support Gaza?
“So the first thing that they started doing was raising awareness and I feel like a lot of people and students are paying more attention now to what is going on in Gaza, how it all started, the history or the background of that. Another thing that I started to appreciate more about being in an Islamic school is that you are able to express yourself more. When you look at how people are treated outside for saying their opinions in regard to what's going on and raising their voices in support of Palestine and the freedom that we have in the school and being able to say what you want to say, and how you say it and having other people also carrying the same thoughts or thinking the same way. It makes a huge difference so that alone is great, being able to collect that amount of money, being able to encourage people every now and then to make dua, support Gaza or donate, or join rallies can all make a difference.”
4. How do you think students can contribute to supporting Gaza?
“Reflect on your Iman, your relationship with the Quran, and the things that really matter. We are all tested during a calamity, are we patient, are we holding tight to our faith, are we helping those who are in need, are we learning from it and doing what it takes to become a part of the solution? Even when we don’t see the solution we should have hope and seek refuge in Allah. Allah’s victory is near and granted.
Boycott, this is something everyone can do and has a huge impact, Allah will ask us how we spent our money, so let’s try our best, even if you are the only person doing, you are doing your part.
Learn. Media can easily manipulate us, as Malcolm X said, “If you are not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
Talk, share, and participate in activities to have your voices and stories heard.
Make Duaa, a lot of it. Duaa is the weapon of the believer.”
Opinion Pieces
The Humanitarian View of the Israeli-Palestine Conflict By: Minal Khan
In our complex world, we Muslims must approach the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through the lens of humanity for both sides, we must understand the deep emotions and aspirations from both sides. The Palestinians have endured generations of hardship, with many facing displacement. They have limited access to basic resources and face the challenges of living in conflict zones. As young citizens, I believe that it is our responsibility to advocate for a compassionate perspective that seeks to address the needs and aspirations of the Palestinians.
The humanitarian view causes us to recognize the universal rights of individuals regardless of our backgrounds. As for Palestine, countless families have been affected by the ongoing conflict, resulting in profound suffering and loss. Acknowledging the pain being experienced by Palestinians, children, women, and men is essential. We should also support fostering a future where both Palestinians and Israelis can coexist peacefully. I believe that as Muslims, we should always maintain respect towards both sides as we are all human beings. Keep in mind the issue was never about the Jews; it was the actions Israel has inflicted on Palestine. Jews are the people of the book and we must keep respect towards them. There are two sides and it is prime that we educate ourselves and try to see through their lens too.
As we reflect on the situation happening in the Middle East we can all try to help them as well. There are many ways to help such as educating yourselves and others, supporting humanitarian organizations, advocating for peace (protests and posting), boycotting, and social media. It has been proven how much boycotting and the protests have helped so I encourage all Muslims to try their best. If you can’t do any of these to help, you can always make dua for Palestine.
Opinion Piece #2: The Political View of the Israeli-Palestine Conflict By: Mariam Haroun
The political aspect of this middle east conflict is actually not very complicated. Most people believe it is a religious issue, but Jews, Christians, and Muslims have lived together peacefully for generations under the Muslim rule, while each group enjoying the sacredness of the land. The opposite view is that they are returning to the land that their ancestors lived on during the ancient period, and/or that it is the land that was promised to them by God. However, Palestinians have called this place their homeland for a century and a half. In fact, in Jerusalem families go back over twelve generations with each generational family names still on record! Many Gazans claim that they have nowhere to go and that they would rather die on their land fighting for it, fighting for freedom, and fighting for justice- rather than migrate to a place that is not theirs. This shows that this is a struggle concerning territory and politics and not a war between religious groups. One thing that is extraordinary, though, is the level of devastation and lives lost that we are witnessing in real time.
Advice Column
By: Salma Mahmoud
To have your questions answered, email salmam@madinaacademy.org.
Student Question: When I see what’s happening in Palestine, all I can do is wonder why Allah makes bad things happen to innocent people. The people of Palestine are good Muslim people. Why is Allah letting Israel do this? Why doesn’t He stop them?
Salma's Answer: We all know this life is meant to be a test, and that there is a reason for our life here on Earth. The sole purpose of this Dunya is to stay on top of our duties and not falter no matter what Allah throws our way. By doing this, Allah can see how much we truly want to go to Jannah. Therefore, the more tests we pass, the higher our rank can become. This is why we believe that the more Allah tests you, the more He loves you. The people of Palestine are acing their tests. They have been shown to be resilient no matter what, and that is the greatest honor of all.
Conversely, Allah mentions in the Quran: “And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment” [3:178]. We might wonder why Allah lets this happen when He has the power to stop whatever He wills. However, Allah tells us in this ayah that by extending the disbelievers’ time on Earth, He ensures that they continue to pave themselves a way to Jahannam. Israel has been terrorizing the innocent Palestinians for over 75 years now, and by understanding this ayah, we can see that Allah has drawn it out so that they taste the evil they committed when they reach their akhira.
The Fun Fragment
Short Story “The Lost City of Atlantis” By: Salma Mahmoud
“Wait, are you guys seeing this?”
The submarine was full of gaping mouths and bated breaths. The team aboard the Marina could hardly believe their fortune. Jack, Zander, Michelle, and Riley had witnessed incredible sights during their careers as underwater explorers. They had reached depths most humans could only dream of exploring. The ocean floor was as alien as space, and the four crewmates felt blessed that they were able to experience it.
This, however, was an entirely different ballpark. The combined beauty of everything all four of them had seen together could not compete with what they were seeing in front of them. It was something every ocean explorer longed to discover. It was a myth that was speculated for centuries. The team found themselves laying eyes upon The Lost City of Atlantis.
It was a sight unparalleled by anything seen on land. The sunken city was absolutely enormous. Gorgeous architecture spanned the lengths of the ocean floor. Although the city was worn from years and years of being underwater, the foundations of the buildings were still intact. Coral and seaweed covered the buildings in a harmonic mix of nature and mankind. Entire schools of fish traveled under century-old arches and sharks lurked behind statues. Atlantis had almost completely fused with the natural world.
“Guys, we’re totally about to become famous,” said Zander.
Entertainment Page:
Entertainment Page - Palestine Edition: Statistics, Fun Facts, Boycotting Resources & More!! By: Ayah Kanaan
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To expand our knowledge and raise awareness on Palestine, here are some facts that will have us holding the Palestinians in an even higher regard:
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Did you know?
Palestine has been occupied by the state of Israel since 1948
The Gaza Strip has been under siege by Israel since 2006
Palestine is the land in which Masjid Al-Aqsa is located
Fun Fact: Masjid Al-Aqsa was the first prescribed qiblah in Islam
Since October 7th, Israel has massacred over 24,000 people. 10,000 of which are children
Israel's latest aggression on the Gaza Strip has been the worst violation of international law in recent memory and has led to the South African government suing the state of Israel for the act of genocide against the Palestinian people
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Boycotting companies, products, and services that support Israel is one of the most effective acts of resistance against Israeli apartheid and is one of the best ways to show support for the Palestinian people.
Here are five resources to help you on your boycotting journey:
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Answers to last month’s riddles:
A keyboard
Fire
A cloud
An artichoke (referring to the inner, edible part of the artichoke)
The number “ton”
An echo
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Answers to last month’s Islamic Trivia:
Shahada.
Laylatul Qadr.
Shawwal (particularly during the six days of Shawwal).
Raqib and Atid (two angels, Raqib records good deeds, and Atid records bad deeds).
Mufassir (for Quranic interpretation) and Muhaddith (for Hadith).
Islamic Challenge Question:
By: Malak Khedr
Find and submit the answer to malakk@madinaacademy.org. First to submit the correct answer will get a prize (candy or chocolate).
How can Muslims help with the conflict going on in Palestine following Islamic principles and teachings?
Last Month’s Answer: (Congratulations Adam Barakat!!)
1. Praying as soon as the athan gets announced, especially Fajr
2. Not getting angry so easily when someone is annoying you
3. When someone is peer-pressuring you but you resist
4. When you're at war with the people who kill Muslims