The Maktab Project
Maktab is an Arabic word that has been traditionally used to refer to elementary schools. Throughout history, Muslim youth have been provided their basic Islamic knowledge by qualified teachers and scholars of the religion. The sacred knowledge of these teachers was vast and sound, deeply rooted in the traditions of the religion. As immigrants came to the United States, and as people converted, Islam grew in America. Many well-intentioned parents searched out avenues and environments of religious learning for their children. In many cases, when no options were available, some families started their own schools in sincere attempts to offer some form of religious instruction for the youth.
Today, most young Muslims learn their deen (religion) from their parents or from the devoted elders in their local Sunday School. Rarely, though, do American-Muslim youth have an opportunity to sit with the scholars who have studied Islam extensively, who have mastered the Islamic sciences, and who have the depth and breadth of knowledge not only to deliver the beautiful message of our deen to the children with love and patience, but also to answer their questions accurately and carefully -- allowing for a balanced and accurate understanding of Islam.
Now, more than ever, it is crucial that our children have an opportunity to learn the Islam to which so many of us have been exposed to, transforming our lives forever. This is the Islam of love, peace, tolerance, beauty, and balance. We cannot risk the chance of having our youth receive a distorted or inaccurate message; yet, unfortunately, this travesty has been known to happen all too often.
In response to this time-sensitive issue, a group of North American scholars and educators based in the San Francisco Bay Area have teamed up to launch the Maktab Project, an initiative meant to provide opportunities for the younger generation in our communities to sit with those who have studied Islam in a traditional manner.
The Maktab Project aims to address three main issues:
1) Curriculum
The Maktab Project will work to develop a comprehensive, engaging, "Islamically" sound curriculum which can be used by Islamic studies teachers in all settings -- Islamic schools, Sunday schools, afterschool programs, home-schools, etc. The developers of the Maktab curriculum will seek input from experts in multiple fields in an effort to produce a series which comprises not only the knowledge which is obligatory for all Muslims (fard ‘ayn) but also contains the creative elements necessary "to bring the lessons alive", as well as practical exercises designed to help students internalize good character and decision-making skills.
2) Teachers
The Maktab Project will establish guidelines for individuals teaching Islamic studies to youth. These guidelines will include a minimum level of scholarship and a proven ability to effectively deliver the message to children. In time, teachers will be trained in the best methods of offering the Maktab curriculum. Additionally, the Maktab Project will form a teachers' union to represent these scholars, ensuring they are able to find consistent, dependable, decent-paying jobs which allow them to remain in the field of teaching in comfort and security.
Maktab Project teachers generally follow and teach the mash’hur (dominant opinion) of the fiqh (jurisprudence) scholars from the four madhabs (schools of thought). In situations where they deem necessary, a dispensation may be followed or taught to provide ease to people practicing Islam.
3) Parent and Community Involvement and Feedback
The Maktab Project plans to provide a forum of communication between parents, community members, and the teachers. The Maktab Project will allow parents to express their concerns and to have their suggestions considered and integrated into the curriculum and classes. Parents and administrators will be invited to bring their concerns and suggestions to regularly scheduled monthly teachers' meetings. We understand that each Muslim community has its own unique strengths and challenges; therefore, the teachers in the Maktab program are committed to delivering the lessons in the most relevant manner for their student audience.
CLASSES
The Maktab Program launched its efforts in the Summer of 2010 with classes offered by local scholars and teachers at several Bay Area locations. These classes are not only an important step in offering traditionally-based instruction and curriculum to the youth but will also serve as a means for developing the Maktab Curriculum. Maktab classes are available to the public at ILM Tree Educational Center, www.ilmtree.org, and Peace Village, http://peace-village.com.
For information about hosting Maktab Courses, contact us here.