Monday, June 06, 2011

USA/Islam: America’s Islamic Madrasas

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC NEWS AGENCY: HOUSTON - Watching his son sitting in his classroom decorated by cartoon characters, projects and artworks, Syed Shahzad, whose 13-year-old son Shayan attends Houston’s largest Islamic school, was very proud of the level his son reached in memorizing Qur’an and Islam’s true teachings, Houston Chronicle reported.

“I’m blessed with this kid,” said Syed, Shayan’s father, who moved to the US from Pakistan when he was 12. ”At his age, I didn’t know anything.

Shahzad, from Richmond, was one of the few parents who preferred to send their kids to Madrasah Islamia, or Islamic school, to memorize the Holy Qur’an.

Enrolling his son Shayan, a straight-A student, at the madrasa two years ago, the father was proud of his brilliant son who has managed to memorize more than half of the Qur’an, a best way for Syed to keep Qur’an from loss.

“This is something nobody can take away from you,” said Shahzad.

“Even if the Quran gets lost, you still have it in your heart.”

At their school, the largest and oldest in Houston, students are also taught about prophets such as Moses, Jesus and Muhammad as well as respecting their classmates and help others.

“Our children should have some sort of knowledge of Islam, of who they are, where their roots come from,” said Shahzad.

“It’s important for every kid, whatever religion, whatever culture.” » | IINA | Saturday, June 04, 2011 (3 Rajab)