Madina Academy Newsletter

All praise to Allah, who enabled us to experience another Ramadan, the blessed month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance, mercy, and healing for what's in our hearts.

We are pleased to announce the "Second Annual Ramadan Quran Competition" open to all students.

The competition goal is to connect with the Quran, explore its magnificence, and learn more about Islam's beauty and guidance.

The competition flyer is attached. It provides more details on the different levels and the assigned ayat for each level. Winners from each level will receive prizes and gifts.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your child's Quran teacher.

May this competition bring us closer to the Quran and to Allah (SWT). Ramadan Mubarak!

Dr. Ray Cooper

Principal

Madina Academy

Join us, this Friday for our annual Ramadan Fundraiser on 3/7/25

Hadith:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan due to faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. Whoever stands in prayer during the Night of Decree due to faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.

Ayahs:

Surah Al-Qadr

إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. The reward of Ramadan is both spiritual and physical, bringing great benefits in this life and the next. Fasting during Ramadan purifies the heart and soul, helping to remove sins and bad qualities. The reward comes not only from staying away from food and drink, but also from growing in devotion, self-control, and sincerity. Allah promises bigger rewards for those who fast, and every good deed during Ramadan is more valuable. The last ten days of Ramadan are especially important, with Laylat al-Qadr being a night when the reward for good actions is greater than a thousand months. Fasting and praying on this night will wipe away past sins and help lead to Paradise.

Madina Academy has hosted their first official ‘Muslim Heritage Month’ from January 1st, through January 31st, 2025. Every morning, students were asked three questions, related to Muslim Heritage, and earned chances to win a prize. Alhamdulillah, students enjoyed learning new facts about our religion, bringing an Islamic spirit to the school.

On January 31st, 2025, the school hosted the official Muslim Heritage Month event of the year. Activities including henna, arts & crafts, and many more were available for students to enjoy. Additionally, students were given a chance to craft a video, or create poetry based on four topics related to Islam. Congrats to our winners!

Lastly, the PTS held a bake sale at the afterschool event to celebrate our Muslim heritage, & raise sufficient funds to promote events throughout the year. Food is a key part of our heritage, often passed on from generation to generation, and is part of our cultural identity. The prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught us to share food, and the PTS did just that with their delicious tacos, mac and cheese, samosas, and desserts.

Towards the end of February, four Madina Academy Alumni from the Class of 2021 paid us a visit. Al-Yaman Zoghol, Samir Khan, Muaz Sharaf, and Ahmad Mohammed enlightened our high schoolers on their experiences as high school students in Madina and what they have achieved since then. They shared valuable advice on how to navigate high school life as a Madina Academy student, and shared tips on how to stay true to Islam while achieving success in college and career.

Al-Yaman Zoghol:

Al-Yaman Zoghol was the Class of 2021 Valedictorian. After graduating, he first pursued Medicine at UConn, but later changed his major to Chemical Engineering. Due to Madina’s dual program for juniors and seniors, he was able to complete his BS in just three years. Currently, he is working at Pratt & Whitney, an American aerospace company. A good piece of advice Al-Yaman spoke about is to surround yourself with good Muslim friends in college and join the Muslim Student Association (MSA). He emphasized on how keeping good Muslim company will benefit you in terms of both your studies and deen. Other useful pieces of advice he mentioned was to prioritize community hours, aim for high goals, do something that will benefit the Ummah, and search for your genuine passion and interests. Lastly, he presented a Japanese Activity called Ikigai that is helpful for finding a sense of purpose in your life.

Samir Khan:

Samir Khan, the Class of 2021 Salutatorian, shared his journey throughout and after attending Madina Academy. Just like Al-Yaman, Samir was able to complete his Bachelor’s at UConn in three years. He studied Political Science and is now at UConn Law on a scholarship working to obtain a Juris Doctorate and become a lawyer. He is also currently working as a legal intern at a solar company. Samir talked about the importance of GPA, SAT scores, and getting involved in extracurriculars. He encouraged the dual enrollment students to stay responsible and choose courses that will transfer to college. Samir also stressed the value of building good relationships with professors and staying focused on long-term goals. He said, “Do not wait until later to focus on your studies–if you wait, you will only be remembered for who you were before.” His advice motivated students to make smart choices now for their future.

Muaz Sharaf:

Muaz Sharaf, also an alumni from the Class of 2021, gave some great advice to students. He talked about how important reading is because it helps improve your critical thinking and knowledge. He said, “Don’t expect school to teach you everything,” and encouraged students to use the internet to learn more. Muaz also mentioned that it’s good to have high goals, but do not aim too high. He reminded everyone not to feature failure, because it will happen, and to always have a backup plan. He also stressed the importance of taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. His advice inspired the students to stay focused, take care of themselves, and to be prepared for whatever comes their way. The most important thing, Muaz mentioned in the end, was to be KIND. Just be kind to everyone.

Ahmad Mohammed:

Ahmad Mohammed, our final guest speaker, shared helpful advice with the students. He attended Madina Academy from 3rd grade until graduating in 2021 and is now studying Civil Engineering at UConn. Ahmad has worked at NSTI, ATANE Engineering, and other companies, gaining important work experience. He emphasized the importance of internships for making connections, saying, “Dress up and practice your elevator pitch.” He encouraged students to go to career fairs and use their connections to help them. Ahmad also talked about how employers want someone who is eager to learn and has good communication skills. He also told students to be nice to everyone and leave on good terms because you will see them again. “Outgoing people end up on top,” he said, and reminded everyone to push through tough classes and to be sure about their major.

We thought it would be a good idea to ask the Alumnis each one life skill or advice they learned at Madina Academy that they still use till this day. Here's what each one of them said:

Al-Yaman Zoghol: He mentioned that his mother, Mrs. Salsabeel, used to always tell him to work hard throughout his school life at Madina Academy.

Samir Khan: He mentioned that his negotiation skills drastically improved from trying to convince the teachers to take their class outside.

Muaz Sharaf: He learned: “لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ.” ("There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers") from Mrs. Rasha, as it was something she would always say while teaching his class. As a student who was also taught by her, I can confirm that she still says it today.

Ahmad Mohammed: He mentioned how he learned how to study properly while attending Madina Academy which benefited him a lot throughout college.

As America inaugurates our new president, the fourth grade at Madina Academy has been holding elections of their own. To make government an engaging and interactive lesson, Ms. Danielle Marshall created a mini government in her classroom, bringing the democratic process to life for her students.

The class began by individually casting their votes for class president and vice president--congratulations to President Omar and Vice President Mariam! They then divided into the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The Legislative Branch worked together to draft two intriguing bills to present to the Executive Branch.

One of the proposals, the No Homework Bill, was swiftly vetoed by President Omar--a disappointment to many (including myself)! The second, the No Wonders Reading Program Bill, was passed along to the Judicial Branch for review. However, after careful consideration, the court ruled it unconstitutional.

Although no bills made it into law, the students gained a deeper understanding of how our government functions and the crucial role of teamwork. Ms. Marshall reflected on the lesson, explaining, “they learned that this is called Checks and Balances when all three branches share the power.”

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, we realize that we know little about the new teachers this year. They bring fresh ideas, creativity, and passion into our classrooms. This year, we have talented educators joining us in Preschool, Middle School, and 5th Grade. Let’s get to know them!

Mrs. Hafsa Schoenfeld is the new preschool and 8th Grade ELA teacher. Ms. Hafsa is a passionate educator who transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom to working with children, including those with special needs. She loves seeing her students grow and thrive, saying, “I don’t ever want any of you to fail. And if that means I need to be constantly bugging you to turn in your work, well then that’s what will happen. I’m here to make sure you succeed.”

In her 8th Grade ELA class, Ms. Hafsa connects with students through open conversations on modern issues, sharing her own struggles to help them feel supported. "I let them know some of my own struggles and I think that helps them know that they aren’t alone in this."

With preschoolers, Ms. Hafsa focuses on fostering a love for learning and curiosity. She says, “Keeping a smiling, engaging face is half the batte. They really need someone upbeat and fun at all times with high energy.” She aims to instill confidence in them, so they can approach the next stage of their education with the belief that “this is easy. I got this."

Her dedication to both her eighth graders and preschoolers is clear: "I want them to be well-rounded young adults," she says, and she works tirelessly to make that happen.

Dr. Salami didn’t initially set out to become a teacher, but her natural gift for teaching led her to embrace every opportunity to develop her skills. “Alhamdulillah, I was able to take advantage of teaching opportunities throughout my education and career,” she says, and those experiences shaped her into the educator she is today.

Her favorite part of teaching is witnessing the moment when students “go from ‘being lost’ to ‘making the connection.’” She describes it as “someone flipping on the light switch in an otherwise dark room,” when students suddenly understand what they’ve been learning. Dr. Salami also loves when her students become interested and curious. “I really enjoy when students are engaged in the learning process and curious to learn more,” she says.

To make learning fun, Dr. Salami incorporates classroom games and interactive activities. “Learning is fun and engaging when the students are just as involved as the teacher,” she explains, often incorporating students' ideas and background knowledge to make her classroom dynamic.

A fun fact her students might not know is that “when I was a little girl, everyone was convinced that I would become a lawyer when I grew up.” Dr. Salami also enjoys group activities and competitions, such as Charades and Jeopardy, which are her favorite classroom activities.

For students who may struggle, Dr. Salami offers a variety of resources and strategies to help them connect with the material in different ways. “Sometimes the struggle may be due to a mismatch between the teaching method and the student’s learning preference,” she notes. She also believes in the power of practice: “Some students may just need to take things slower to fully take in a new concept.”

Dr. Salami hopes her students leave her science class with a greater understanding of how relevant science is to their everyday lives. “I would like for them to use the new ideas we’ve explored to become better versions of themselves and stewards of the earth,” she says, aiming to inspire both personal growth and environmental awareness.

Ms. Wafaa never planned on becoming a teacher, but a course in Social Statistics while earning her BA in Biology changed her career path. After excelling in the course, she became a tutor, and upon graduation, started teaching. Over time, she saw how her efforts positively impacted students, but a recent comment from a student—who appreciated having a Muslim professor in college—deeply inspired her. “It made the class feel welcoming,” she realized, and she was proud to be that support figure for her.

Teaching elementary school, especially 5th Grade, has taught Ms. Wafaa how important it is to be a role model. Reflecting on her own fifth grade memories, she says, “My favorite part about teaching fifth graders is the opportunity to reshape and relive those fond memories.” She loves witnessing her students’ kindness, which gives her hope for the future. Ms. Wafaa makes learning fun by incorporating competition, like online quizzes, into lessons and offering treats as rewards. “By relating lessons to their lives, students feel involved, which sparks their interest and curiosity,” she says. Her classroom is a place of fun and engagement where students actively participate in their learning.

A fun fact her students might not know is that she loves playing in the snow, even though she’s allergic to it! Her favorite classroom activity? Educational games and competitions. “I love seeing how excited my students get to learn.”

When students struggle, Ms. Wafaa encourages them to face their challenges together, and she hopes they take away this important lesson: “There’s always room for education for everyone.” She also wants them to appreciate being in an Islamic environment, which she hopes will inspire them in their learning.

As for Ramadan, Ms. Wafaa plans to decorate her classroom and help her students understand its true essence. “I want them to grasp its significance and apply its values in their lives.”

ICE raids have both good and bad effects on America. On one hand, they help enforce immigration laws and ensure people follow the legal process to enter the country. They can also open up jobs for legal workers and ensure businesses follow the law. However, these raids also hurt families, disrupt businesses, and create fear in immigrant communities, even for those who have lived in the U.S. for years without committing any crimes. Removing these undocumented workers causes labor shortages, higher consumer prices, and reduced consumer activity. The results of the ICE raids have too much of a negative impact on the country rather than a positive one, disrupting production and increasing costs for businesses. Agriculture, construction, etc rely on these people. Instead of focusing only on deportation, the government should create a system that helps undocumented immigrants with no criminal history become legal citizens. Many of these people work hard, pay taxes, and contribute to society, so giving them a path to citizenship would strengthen the economy and keep families together while still enforcing the law.

Email salmam@madinaacademy.org or zainahk@madinaacademy.org with questions you have regarding just about ANYTHING! We will try our best to answer all of your questions in the newsletter.

Q: Ramadan is here and I want to make the most out of it. What are some of the most important things I should focus on this Ramadan?

A: As we all know, Ramadan isn’t just for fasting, although that is a very special part of it. It is also a month for growing closer to Allah, and striving to do our best in every aspect of our religion. Of course, we should be doing this year round, but Ramadan especially is an opportunity to go above and beyond. First and foremost, let’s look at the most important pillar of Islam: prayer. Hopefully, we are all praying our five daily prayers on time. If not, Ramadan is a time to make sure we reach that bare minimum. Additionally, we should all try our best to pray Taraweeh, whether it’s at home or at the masjid, and wake up for Qiyam ul-Layl. Allah’s mercy and forgiveness is at a high during Ramadan, and we should take advantage of that by spending the whole month praying and making dua and dhikr. These are easy ways to get closer to Allah and build a relationship with him. Also, we should strengthen our connection with the Quran. Many of us unfortunately don’t pick up the Quran except for when we have to memorize for school. Ramadan is a time to change that. By not only reading but also pondering the Quran, our hearts will grow softer and we will be at even more peace with our religion. Lastly, along with adding more good deeds, we should try to eliminate our bad ones. Shaytan is locked up during Ramadan, making it easier for us to battle our nafs and put a stop to habits like gossiping or saying bad words. May Allah accept our fasts and ibadah this Ramadan!

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.

Big shoutout to last issue’s winner: Muhammad Saif (7th Grade)

Rules:

1. Keep the Scavenger Hunt a secret unless someone already knows about it from reading the newsletter.

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

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

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

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

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

7. If you find a clue please DO NOT TAKE IT!!!

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

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

First Clue: “I open wide but have no teeth, I swallow your food so you can eat.”

Happy hunting, and good luck!

Email nooram@madinaacademy.org with the answers.

1. What is the penalty for intentionally breaking the fast during Ramadan without a valid reason?

2. Which companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was known for his strength in upholding the fast during battle, even while wounded?

3. Which year did Ramadan first become obligatory for Muslims?

Shout out to last month’s winners: Enaaya, Nabaad, and Musfira (7th Grade)