ۚ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ
ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمَ دِينً۬اۚ
سُوۡرَةُ المَائدة (3-
In the Name of ALLAH, Most Merciful, Most Beneficent
“This Day I Have Perfected Your Religion for You and Completed My Favor Upon You, And Chosen Islam for you to be Your Religion.” The Holy Qur’an (Surah 5 (AL-MA’iDA), Verse 3)
Years Ago, many important and well known people had recognized the need of a Sunday School and exerted to help establish an efficient and well organized school that has competent teaching staff.
The first and foremost pioneer was Imam Kamil Avdich, who had founded the Sunday school on Halsted, and who sought to establish a combined weekend/ Sunday school. a Mosque and a place for social gathering, in one of Chicago suburbs. The lot was located in Northbrook, and was purchased. Groundbreaking took place in the year 1974. The classrooms were planned to be completed in the first phase in order to secure practical classrooms that will provide the right educational environment for educating the very young Muslim generation about their Islamic faith, as well as ethics and values and proper conduct.
Construction of the first phase was completed after two years, and the Islamic Cultural Center Facility opened its doors officially as a functioning and operating Sunday School that was comprised of six classrooms. The completed part of the current facility also included a nursery room, a library, administrative offices, a social hall, a kitchen, and a small custodian/caretaker dwelling. Soon after the completion of the first phase. Imam Kamil Avdich passed away.
Imam Mustafa Ceric, who became the new official Imam Of the Islamic Cultural Center of Greater Chicago, was a big advocate of the weekend Islamic School. He worked very diligently to promote the Sunday School, and to provide all help to make the Sunday School very successful.
Among the many people who dedicated a lot if their time and who exerted many efforts to establish, promote and elevate the status of the Sunday School of the ICC of Greater Chicago, are those listed below:
Mr. Mohsen Qureshi, Dr. Rafik Diab, Mrs. Laila Diab, Dr. Talat Othman, Mrs. Sandy Qureshi, Mrs. Barbara Khan, Dr. Souheir Eldafrawy Elmasry, Dr. Hoda Aboleneen Khalil, Dr. Omar Khalil, Dr. Effat Moussa, Mrs. Najwa Dajani, Dr. Imad Almanaseer, Dr. Seanna Almanaseer, Dr. Hasan Nagib, Mrs. Zarina Zvizdich, Mr. Dzafer Kulenovic, Mr. Ali Zoibi, Dr. Muhamad Dabbouseh, Mr. Ron Zoibi, and Mrs. Nuha Ounallah Dabbouseh
The above listed individuals and quite a few others have, as members of the School Advisory Board and/or the ICC Board, continuously focused their attention and efforts on improving the curriculum and the teaching methods, as well as monitoring and using new and updated textbooks continuously
School’s Mission
- To provide a stimulating learning environment for the young students to enable them to internalize basic Islamic knowledge
- To teach the students universally accepted morals, values, and ethics.
- To nurture the love of seeking knowledge and learning about Islam, and the love to read Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem throughout life, and provide incentives to memorize a number of suras.
- To instill in the students a sense of pride in their Islamic Faith and Heritage,
and great pride of their American Muslim identity. - To team with the parents to help graduate Muslim youths who will grow up to be caring and responsible US Citizens, and competent future leaders (who are) willing to contribute to their community, and to their society.
- Inspire and motivate students to embrace Quran’s values, morals, and ethics, and adopt it as a guide throughout their life.
- Instill in students that we abide by the teachings of GOD and the Sunna of His Messenger because of OUR LOVE for GOD rather than fear of HIM, or HIS punishment.
- Create a safe, enjoyable, creative, and relaxing atmosphere which makes children love their Sunday school, and make them excited to stay connected to their mosque, community, and friends.
Goals and Learning Objectives
- Help students read and understand the Quran, and its teachings.
- Educate Students that Muslims must believe in ALLAH, and His Angels and His Books, and all Prophets.
“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward the East or the West, but righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Books and the Prophets” (Sura # 2 /The Cow, Verse # 177)- Explain the importance of respecting parents, adults and elderly
- Instill the sense of giving to the community and the society at large
- Teach the students that Islam is a religion of tolerance and respect for all mankind
- Teach the students that the best individual in the Eyes of ALLAH is the most pious
- Lo! the noblest (most honored) of you, in the sight of Allah, is the most righteous of you and the best in terms of conduct and behavior “, Sura #49 ALHujurat, Verse # 13)
- That GOD ALMIGHTY is the sole judge of people of all faiths (Surat Al-Hajj, Verse17).
- Encourage building bridges, friendships, and amiable dialogues with followers of other religions and individuals of other ethnic background.
- Familiarize students with Islamic Beliefs and Worship Practices (Ibadat).
- Familiarize students with the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his companions, and other prophets
- Make the Students understand that Islam is a religion that is a continuation of the same divine message which was preached by previous prophets who were sent by GOD ALMIGHTY to guide the People to the right path.
- Teach Students that the significance of the Holiest Islamic Sites: Makkah AL Mukarrama and Al Madina Al Munawwara , and also the significance of Jerusalem City which was the spiritual home of Moses and Jesus Christ, as well as Prophet Mohammad’s Ascending site to heavens.
- Teach universally adopted ethics and morals, good manners, and proper conduct) which will help each student develop a caring and responsible personality, and good consciousness.
- Encourage discussions, questions and debates related to issues that concern students of different ages. Encourage the students to seek answers to matters which might be confusing for them
Subjects taught at the School
- Qur’an: including memorization, recitation, comprehension of context, and application of Qur’an teachings in daily lives. The majority of the grades focus on Suras and other verses of the Quran that highlight important concepts, and underlying message.
- Islamic Faith and Worship: This involves teaching principles of Muslim Faith and how those principles apply to daily life, as well as ethics, morals, and proper conduct.
- Arabic***: including vocabulary and basic grammar to enable the students to read and understand Qur’an Verses and Suras taught at school, and wording used in Islamic greetings, prayers, hajj, Umra, Dua’ (Supplication).
- Islamic Studies: (Seera of Rassullullah ALLAH) and, and biographies of other prophets, and stories attributed to them. This subject also emphasizes the teaching of good morals, ethics, and conduct in order to help students develop a positive American Muslim identify.
*** The Qur’an is a Miracle; this miracle will not touch the hearts of Muslims if they do not acquire the basic ability to read it in the same language it was revealed in. The Arabic language must be learned by every Muslim because AL-Qur’an Al-Kareem was revealed in Arabic. This is clearly stated in The AL-QUR’AN AL– KAREEM in Surat YUSUF (#12 verse # 2)
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
“الٓرۚ تِلۡكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ (١) إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ (٢)”
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Alef, Lam, Ra. These are verses of the Righteous and Clear Scripture (1) Lo! We have revealed it in Arabic so that you may understand. (2).
The following Suras also refer to the Language (Arabic) which the Qur’aan was revealed in:
Surat Yusuf (Sura # 12), Verse # 2
Sutra Al Ra3ed (Sura # 13), Verse # 37
Surat A-Nahl (Sura # 16, Verse # 103)
Surat Taha (Sura # 20), Verse # 113
Surat A-Shou’araa’ (Sura # 26, Verse 195)
Surat A-Zumar (Sura # 39), Verse # 28
Surat Fusselat (Sura # 41), Verse # 3
Surat A-Shoura (Sura # 42), Verse # 7
Surat A-Zhukhruf (Sura # 43), Verse # 3
Surat Al-Ahqaf (Sura # 46), Verse # 12
Registration
Registration for ICC Sunday school year starts in April and ends in early December. Enrollment in January may be accepted depending on available class space, and the Islamic education background of the child. However, students who are enrolled in January will have to repeat the class in the following year.
Note: Incomplete applications or applications without fees (unless exempt, or approved) will not be accepted.
Admission Requirements
- Parents must fill out the registration form
- Full tuition fees must accompany registration application, unless an exemption or installment option is approved by school administration
- Incomplete application will not be accepted
- Students enrolling in First grade must be at least 5 years of age as of October 10
- Parents of new students are expected to become Members of the ICC
The School has the right to reject any application for a student’s enrollment, and/or to decline accepting a student
Attire & Dress Code
All students, parents, staff, and visitors of the Weekend School are requested to dress modestly and conservatively.
Parents are advised to ensure that the students follow the school dress code: No shorts or sleeveless shirts. No head caps. No short dresses or skirts. No shirts or blouses that reveal any part of the body and no shoes with rollers. In addition, parents are kindly asked to ensure that their children are dressed adequately as regards the weather temperature. Girls should have head scarves readily available, and should wear them before entering the Prayer Hall. Girls are also encouraged to wear their head covers during Qur’an period, and Qur’an Recitation.
Compliance with School’s Policies and Times
Non-compliance with School’s Time Schedule, Policies and Guidelines, and Conduct and Attire Codes may result in student’s expulsion. Students who have been expelled from ICC Sunday School may not be re-enrolled. Parents have to acknowledge with their personal signature that all information provided on the registration form is true and accurate. Inaccurate information will result in denying student’s enrolment).
School Holidays
The School will be closed on Sundays that are part of the days of Eid-ul-Fitr. and Eid-ul-Adha, and on the Sunday following the Thanksgivng Holiday
School Breaks
The School will be closed for Winter Break (Two Consecutive Sundays) and for Spring Break (One Sunday)
At times of Heavy Snow Storms and Thunder Storms
The school will be closed on any Sunday if driving conditions are hazardous, or if the area is threatened with Severe thunder Storm or a tornado.
Parents Input and Cooperation
The School knows for certain that Parents have the same goal which the school has,
namely, providing the best Islamic education possible for the young students, and enticing them to become life-long Learners and Seekers of Knowledge, Successful Achievers, Responsible Citizens and Motivated Leaders, practicing the Islamic Teachings throughout. Hence, the school appreciates close communication between home and school, and welcomes parents input, and their constructive criticism and remarks
School Staff
The School Staff has unwavering expectations that all students are capable of
learning all taught material, as well as absorbing the Islamic ethics and values, thus attaining a life-long spirituality and Taqwa which will entice them (the students) to always select the right and straight path Prescribed unto all mankind By ALMIGHTY ALLAH Jalla Jalalahu. To enhance the learning experience, the school schedule Includes an interactive spiritual and inspirational session conducted by the Imam of the ICC. The Session has been very effective in strengthening the students’ Islamic values and ethics, all of which would help develop the student in developing a positive American Muslim identity.
Over the years, The ICC-GC Sunday School has taught hundreds of young students, making sure that they complete the school grade levels having good knowledge and positive attitude about their Islamic Faith, and equipped with the sound morals, ethics, and socially approved values
Helpful Web Sites for parents and students
Great Resources for Teachers, parents, and for students under the supervision of parents
http://www.searchtruth.com
http://www.quranexplorer.com
http://www.quranflash.com
http://allahsquran.com/learn
http://tanzil.info
http://www.makedua.com
http://www.uga.edu/islam/arabic_windows.doc
http://80percentwords.com
http://www.muslimkidz.com
http://www.pbuh