Madina Academy Newsletter(Apr/May)

Senior group performance:

2nd Place: Salma, Tasneem, Zainah, Sidra

Senior group websites

1st Sarah, Faqiha, Noora

Senior individual website:

1st: Noor
Junior individual Websites:

1st Place: Musfira and Enaaya

2nd : Salma and Sohyla

3rd Place: Afsa Junior group website

Mariam Haroun (10th): First place winner for the second year in a row!!

Marriam Haroun: outstanding delegate: Oman

-Imaan Ehmad: honorable mention. She represented Mohammad Jinnah

-Fatima Vahora: honorable mention: Greece

-Fatima Vahora: best delegate award

-Juman Tuffaha: verbal commendations: honorable mention

Congratulations Eman on being recognized with an Honorable Mention in CFOG 2025 Forrest Palmer High School Essay Contest.

This is a remarkable achievement as there were a record 143 entries this year – nearly double the number received last year – "we could honor only the very, very best essays – including Eman's!"

Sarmad Raja ranked 4th in his category for New York Speech competition, among competitive participants from across New England

Yameen Ahmed: Third Honors: HS Physical Sciences

Huda Khaliq: Third Honors: HS Life Sciences

Raydiance Bennett: Third Honors: HS Life Sciences

Zaynab Khawaja: Third Honors: HS Life Sciences

This honor acknowledges the amazing work our computer class is doing to close the ‘female representation gap’ in computer science.
Our school is one of only 237 institutions to be recognized for our work towards improving gender representation.

Advanced Placement Program recognizes
Ms. Ibtsam For contributing to this great achievement!

May 26: Memorial Day: No school

May 27-June 3rd: MAP Testing

May 29: PK/KG Graduation & 5th/8th Graduation

May 30: Senior Graduation

June 5th & 6th: Eid Holidays: No School

June 12th: Last Day of School

Competing in History Day has been a longstanding tradition for Madina Academy students. In the past few years, we have seen a dramatic increase in wins, all thanks to Ms. Salwa, who works tirelessly to prepare students to the best of their abilities. This year, we have reached a new height.

On Saturday, May 3rd, six projects from Madina Academy competed in the Connecticut History Day state competition. Five groups have made it through to the national competition, breaking our school’s previous record of four. These students have labored the entire academic year, staying after school every week until dark and creating amazing projects from scratch through research, writing, revision, designing, and even performing!

Here is a sneak peak into their projects:

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Healthcare as a Fundamental Right: WHO’s Role in Eradicating Smallpox

Third Place in Junior Individual Websites

By: Afsa Raja

The World Health Organization (WHO) played an important role in eradicating smallpox by coordinating a global effort rooted in the belief that health is a fundamental right and shared responsibility. WHO provided leadership and organization, while nations provided funding, healthcare workers reached communities, and individuals fulfilled their responsibility by getting vaccinated. This collective commitment led to the eradication of smallpox in 1980.

Rights and Responsibilities in Healthcare: The Health Insurance Portability Accountability and Act of 1996

First Place in Junior Group Websites

By: Musfira Bhuiyan and Enaaya Mohammed

Our project is about the Health Insurance Portability Accountability and Act of 1996 (HIPAA). In our project we explore how HIPAA was made and the law process behind it, we also talk about the impacts and how HIPAA affects many people today in daily life. Under HIPAA medical information is stored in one secure place, patients have the right to control and have access to their information and who can view it, and it's easier to switch or keep insurance companies when changing jobs. HIPAA provides rights to patients and establishes responsibilities for healthcare providers.

Luminous Lives, Remarkable Legacy: The Radium Girls Fight for Workplace Rights and Employer Responsibilities

Second Place in Junior Group Websites

By: Salma Hassan and Sohyla Hassan

The topic we conducted a NHD project on this year is the Radium Girls. These were young women employed to work in three different factories to paint watch dials for soldiers in World War I. They were instructed to lip point the luminous paint by their employers because the company failed to take responsibility over the women, causing many to suffer severe occupational illnesses. Five New Jersey workers filed a lawsuit against the United States Radium Corporation holding them accountable to gain future workers rights. Despite their tragic experiences, they were crucial in developing future labor worker’s rights, leading to the establishment of organizations. Today, employers are responsible for workers' health and safety, and must compensate employees for work-related illnesses.

Rights Denied, Responsibilities Betrayed: The Veiled Injustice of the Untreated Syphilis Study

First Place in Senior Individual Websites

By: Noor Hassan

In exploration of a topic related to the theme, Rights & Responsibilities, I did my website about the Untreated Syphilis Study. The Untreated Syphilis Study stands as one of the most infamous breaches of medical ethics in U.S. history, where the Public Health Services (PHS) researchers deliberately withheld treatment from hundreds of men with syphilis from 1932 to 1972. This violation of medical racism and human rights shows how healthcare professionals betrayed their responsibilities by exploiting African Americans, withholding treatment, and neglecting participants' rights. Patients (African Americans) were denied their rights to gain access to treatment, know their study environment, and withdraw whenever they desired. This dark chapter in history opened doors for established ethical guidelines, ensuring our society is protected in future research.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: From Tragedy to Reform

First Place in Senior Group Websites

By: Sarah Elsherbini, Faqiha Faheem, and Noora Mahmoud

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in 1911 was a tragic event that revealed the dangerous working conditions many people faced. The fire sparked public outrage and led to major changes in labor laws, workplace safety, and fire prevention. It became a turning point in the fight for workers’ rights and continues to influence labor protections today.

Nellie Bly, Asylum Spy: Exposing the Abuse of Patients and Neglect of Medical Responsibilities

Second Place in Senior Group Performances

By: Zainah Khaliq, Tasneem Zoghol, Salma Mahmoud, and Sidra Bedir

Our performance features Nellie Bly, an investigative reporter who feigned insanity to go undercover at Blackwell’s Island Lunatic Asylum. There, she interacted with patients and observed the staff’s behavior, committing everything to memory. After 10 days, she escaped and later published an article, “Behind Asylum Bars”, and a book, Ten Days in a Madhouse, exposing the horrible conditions she witnessed. Her report became a sensation across America, igniting the spark to reform asylums and improve the treatment of the mentally ill. By exposing the abuse of patient rights and the neglect of medical responsibilities, Nellie Bly fulfilled her duty as a journalist and prompted mental health doctors to fulfill theirs too.

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You may be wondering, why would these poor students subject themselves to the torture of an extra workload on top of the multitude of school assignments they already have to deal with? It seems crazy, and that's what I first thought before participating in my first competition four years ago. But Alhamdulillah, by winning on May 3rd, these students have won themselves a week long and well deserved trip to Maryland, where the final competition takes place. They are planning to stay at the Diyanet Center of America, a beautiful mosque and hotel complex that resembles the architecture of the Blue Mosque and environment of Türkiye. I got to say, that is quite the end-of-year field trip.

Now, these students have one month to enhance their projects, and some of them have big ambitions. InshaAllah, their projects become the best of the best, until all the judges see is absolute perfection.

May Allah ease their workload and grant them victory. Ameen

Most people spend their weekends relaxing, binge-watching Netflix, or pretending to do homework. But not the delegates of our school’s Model UN team. This past weekend, they traded sweatpants for suits and took on not one—but two—conferences back-to-back: LOOMUN on Saturday and RHHSMUN on Sunday.

For those unfamiliar, Model United Nations (MUN) is more than just a debate club. It’s an immersive simulation of the United Nations where students represent countries—or sometimes historical or fictional characters—and tackle real-world and hypothetical issues through diplomacy, negotiation, public speaking, and policy writing. MUN conferences can include standard General Assembly debates, specialized committees, and high-octane Crisis simulations where anything from nuclear war to unicorn bodyguards is on the table (more on that in a second). The stakes may not be geopolitical, but the skill-building is real.

And judging by the results, our team delivered.

Fatima V. called the weekend “engaging”—and with good reason. At LOOMUN, she represented Greece in a debate about EU migration, pushing for a fairer redistribution of asylum responsibilities across member nations. “I emphasized how countries like Greece and Italy are carrying an unfair burden, and how that strains our resources,” she said. But the real turning point came the next day at RHHSMUN, where she represented Russia in the IAEA committee. “I led an entire block on my own,” she explained. “Most delegates didn’t know what to do, so I stepped up. I taught them procedure, built consensus, and guided our resolution. It was the first time I really felt like a leader.” The effort earned her Outstanding Delegate—and a new sense of confidence: “I walked away proud of what I accomplished.”

Mariam H. described the experience as “informative,” and for her, LOOMUN was a chance to find her voice—literally. She debated the role of artificial intelligence in education and healthcare, as well as international funding disparities. “I was glad that my voice was included throughout the whole thing,” she said. “My block welcomed my ideas, and I got to input a lot into the resolution.” That inclusion translated into a standout performance, culminating in an Outstanding Delegate award. But for Mariam, the personal growth mattered even more: “Before this MUN, I didn’t feel confident speaking unless I was reading from notes. This helped me learn to trust my voice and speak with confidence.”

Imaan Ehmad had one word for the experience: “Unforgettable.” And considering she spent her LOOMUN crisis committee role-playing as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founding Pakistan, launching a military invasion, and taking out a false prophet, it’s not hard to see why. “I was given the role of Jinnah, and the committee started off with most delegates wanting to keep India united,” she recalled. “But behind the scenes, I was negotiating secret support from Muslim nations and the Soviets.” What followed was a 10-hour arc of strategic chaos: directives, cult creation, international espionage, and yes—a unicorn-napping. “Eventually, I took everyone by surprise, invaded East India, and declared the formation of Pakistan. It was wild.” Her creative diplomacy earned her an Honorable Mention—her first award in three years of MUN.

Ayah, who tackled both conferences back-to-back, reflected on the contrast between the two. “My MUN weekend was truly impactful,” she said. “LOOMUN was a standout experience—the campus was beautiful, the organization was seamless, and the level of professionalism and respect among participants made it incredibly inspiring.” She was placed in a Crisis Committee on the Cold War Space Race, role-playing the 1960s arms and tech battle between the US and USSR. “It felt like reenacting history with high stakes,” she said. The next day at RHHSMUN, she represented a country in the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), where the topic was the Protection of the Press. “Being in two very different formats back-to-back really helped me develop my adaptability, diplomacy, and speaking skills. I came out of the weekend with a much clearer sense of what kind of delegate I want to be.”

If there was one unifying takeaway from the weekend, it was this: MUN isn’t just a weekend activity—it’s a confidence booster, a crash course in global issues, and a proving ground for future leaders. Whether it was the awards, the adrenaline-fueled crisis twists, or the food (“spectacular—give me 14 of 'em right now,” said Ayah), every delegate agreed it was absolutely worth giving up their weekend. As Fatima put it, “These conferences gave me opportunities to grow in ways I hadn’t throughout the year.”

ATTENTION Madina Academy! As we approach the end of every school year, there is always talk of improvements to be made. Students are always excited to come back in the fall and see if any changes have been made to refine our school, whether physically a part of the building or academically a part of the curriculum. However, as students, we cannot implement these major changes. That’s up to the Board.

What we can do, though, is finally brand an official name to our school newspaper. Apparently, we already had a name: The Madina Insider. But it’s old and unused. Instead, we want to hear your thoughts, and name the paper based on what the readers would like to see when opening each month’s issue. So please—we highly encourage you—brainstorm and share your ideas with us. In the next issue, our final newsletter of the year, we will attach a poll to officially vote on a title.

Until then, email zainahk@madinaacademy.org with your suggestions. There are no limits, come up with as many ideas as you can! We will consider every one, and the best five will make it onto the ballot. Happy brainstorming!

Hadith:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

“One, who follows the orders of Allah with regards to obeying parents, shall have two doors of Paradise opened up for him. And if there happens to be only one parent, one door of Paradise shall open up for him.”

Abu Huraira reported that a person said:

Allah’s Messenger, who amongst the people is most deserving of my good treatment? He said: “Your mother, again your mother, again your mother, then your father, then your nearest relatives according to the order (of nearness).”

Ayah:

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا

تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًۭا كَرِيمًۭا

For your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And honour your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them ˹even˺ ‘ugh,’ nor yell at them. Rather, address them respectfully (17:23).

In Islam, respecting and obeying your parents is necessary and comes right after worshiping Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah tells us to be kind to our parents, especially when they get old. It is forbidden to say something rude like “ugh” to them and should always speak to them in a nice and respectful way. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that if you obey your parents the way Allah orders, two doors of Paradise will be opened for you—and even if you have only one parent, one door will open. That shows how crucial it is to respect and obey them. In another hadith, when someone asked the Prophet who deserves the best treatment, he said, “Your mother” three times, then “your father,” showing just how much respect our parents, especially moms, deserve. Being good to our parents isn’t just about being nice—it’s a way to please Allah and earn Paradise. Some simple ways to do this are helping them without being asked, listening when they speak, being patient when they’re upset, making dua for them, and thanking them for everything they’ve done. Even small acts of kindness, like smiling at them or saying kind words, can bring immense rewards from Allah.

This year’s Eid celebration was a wonderful display of Madina Academy’s strong community and connection with one another. All the lovely activities and decorations plastered around the school made the event even more memorable. Eid is a time that brings everyone together, and the party perfectly reflected that by bringing students, families, and school staff all in celebration. “It was amazing! The kids had a blast in the bounce house, and the whole vibe was just so joyful and fun,” said Huda Khaliq, who excellently puts into words the energy of the day. The games and entertainment were not the only things people enjoyed, but the time they spent together, which truly represents Eid in and of itself. Zaynab Khawaja shared, “The best part was just walking around and talking with my friends.” The day brought joy to everyone and strengthened the bonds of our school community.

Madina Academy’s Science Fair showcased the students' immense creativity and skills. Projects filled the event hall, creating an atmosphere of curiosity throughout the school. Parents all lined up to see their kids' efforts pay off. Each display showed thorough research and hard work behind it, regardless of the topic. The fair had a diverse exhibit of works, some real-life problems, and others fun ideas, but one thing in common was the genuine dedication and passion shown in each and every one of them. This year’s science fair highlighted how Madina Academy fosters innovation and grows students’ abilities and skills.

On April 29, we had some special guest speakers from the Academic Leadership Association (ALA) Way come in to talk to us about bullying. The team was made up of four people: Brooke, Tori, Tyrae, and Vilenti. They started by having us pair up with someone and talk about our perfect summer. It was a fun way to get started!

Then, Brooke shared her story about being bullied and how it hurt her. She told us how her older brother stood up for her, and later, something amazing happened. Brooke and the person who bullied her became best friends because they had a lot in common. They are still friends today!

Vilenti explained the difference between bullying and just being mean, and how sometimes joking around with friends can turn into bullying if it becomes hurtful and repetitive. He also talked about cyberbullying, which is bullying online, and how it can be just as serious if it happens over and over.

We learned some important words like perpetrator, victim, bystander, and upstander. He also had us do some activities to think more about bullying, and prizes were given to people who joined in. At the end, everyone said together,

“I will never be a bystander….I will always be an upstander!”

After lots of planning, scheduling, and re-scheduling, Madina Academy’s National Honors Society has finally made it out into the community to start helping! As one of the four pillars, service is an integral part of the society. Members are expected to engage in various activities and projects, including volunteering, which is what we did at Enfield Loaves and Fishes last week.

At the soup kitchen, members met David, the leader of the organization. Mustafa Mutlu, a junior, remarked that, “David was very helpful, showing me around and allowing me to help the poor people as best as I can.” He gave each person a task, splitting us into groups based on our skills and abilities. Our first group washed and cut vegetables and fruits, assembling salads to pass out later that day. Our second group worked in the basement, sorting through the kitchen’s inventory and throwing out expired food. Overall, the volunteering was enjoyable and gave members a sense of fulfillment. Tasneem Zoghol, a senior, shared her experience: “As NHS students, we were able to apply the pillars of leadership, scholarship, service, and character. Ultimately, the day made me feel grateful for all the homemade food I have available to me.”

Madina’s National Honors Society is looking forward to more opportunities like this, and for more members to be inducted in the following year.

In today’s competitive world, students are under more pressure than ever before. Between long school hours, endless homework, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and the constant push to succeed, it's no surprise that many of us feel overwhelmed and exhausted. The truth is, students are being overworked.

Schools often emphasize achievement: top grades, perfect attendance, packed resumes, and acceptance into prestigious colleges. While hard work and ambition are important, the current system pushes students to the brink. According to the American Psychological Association, teens report stress levels during the school year that rival those of adults. That’s not normal, nor healthy.

Many students sleep far less than the recommended hours a night because they’re staying up to finish assignments or study for exams. Others skip meals, lose interest in hobbies, or feel isolated due to lack of free time. Burnout has become a regular part of the school experience, when it should be the exception.

Some argue that this pressure prepares students for the "real world." But does it really? Adults are protected by labor laws, encouraged to take breaks, and given weekends off. Why shouldn’t students have similar protection? Learning should be challenging, not punishing.

What we need is balance. Schools should consider reducing homework loads, starting classes later to align with teen sleep cycles, and offering more support for mental health. We also need to redefine what success means. It shouldn’t just be perfect grades, but creativity, kindness, resilience, and balance.

Students aren't machines. We're human beings with limits, and when those limits are pushed too far, something has to give. Let’s stop glorifying stress and start advocating for a school system that challenges us without crushing us.

Assalamu Alaikum, dear participants!

Unfortunately, no one completed the last hunt—but a new set of clues is here, and we’re eager to see you try again. We can’t wait to see who wins it this time.

Students will follow clues on index cards to find the next clue hidden in different areas of the school, with each card leading them closer to the final prize.

Rules:

1. You can only search for clues during your free time, ideally during lunch.

2. No running in hallways or unsafe behavior while searching.

3. The first person to find the item will receive a prize!

4. ONE of the clues is located in a classroom in the middle/high school area

5. No fighting or snatching the item from someone who finds it first.

6. Only the first person to hand in the item (with the full code) will be eligible for the prize.

7. Email sarahe@madinaacademy.org or zainahk@madinaacademy.org for any questions or concerns!

First Clue: “You step on me each morning, unaware I hide the key. I’m flat, forgotten, and always beneath—yet I welcome all who enter.”

Happy hunting, and good luck!

1. What is the only verse in the Qur’an where all the Arabic letters are found?

2. What was the name of the woman who tried to poison the Prophet (SAW) after the Battle of Khaybar?

3. Which Surah of the Qur’an is the only one that does not contain the letter "Meem" (م)?

Shoutout to last month’s ‘winner’: Sameer Hasan (helped by his friend ChatGPT)