The Africa Federation Tabligh Board (AFTAB) in conjunction with the Academy for Learning Islam (A.L.I.) of Canada donated complete sets of 14 Knowing the Ma‘sūmīn (a) Workbooks to all Madaris students ages 8-12 years old, in East and Central Africa.
These workbooks were compiled, designed, and published by the Academy of Learning Islam (www.academyofislam.com) in Toronto, Canada which comprises a dedicated team of scholars and volunteers over a period of seven years.
Knowing the Ma‘sūmīn Workbooks are an educational tool designed to introduce children to the greatness of the Fourteen Ma‘sumīm (a) which includes Prophet Muhammad (s), his daughter Bībī Fātimah (a) and the Twelve Imams (s). Each Workbook contains comprehensive biographical information, teachings, contributions and exemplary stories about a Ma‘sūm (a) and his companions. The purpose of these books is to educate and foster love, respect and reverence of the Holy Ma‘sūmīn (a) in the hearts and minds of our children.
These Workbooks are designed to be both educational and fun. Creative activities and puzzles are included in the Workbooks make the learning experience engaging and interactive. A Madrasah student can read simple passages and stories about a Ma‘sūm with limited supervision, and then work on charts, puzzles, tables and other exercises on his/her own.
The aforementioned workbook set were distributed to English speaking Madaris throughout Africa, including but not limited to Hussaini Madressa – Mwanza, Husseini Madressa – Bukoba, Zainabiya Madrasah – Moshi, Yaadgare Murtazawi – Arusha, Madrasah Al-Mahdi (AJTF) – Lilongwe, Jaffery Madrasah – Tanga, Husseini Madressa – Morogoro, Darul Hikmah Madrassah – Zanzibar, Husayni Madrasah – Dar Es Salaam, Haydari Madrasah – Nairobi, Haidery Madressa – Bujumbura, Bilal Academy – Kampala, Husayni Madrasah – Mombasa, Madressa Hussieniyah – Mtwara, Madrasah Jafferiya – Nampula and Ja’afery Madrasah – Kigali.
The feedback received were overwhelmingly positive and a selection of these responses are provided below:
We are deeply appreciative of the books you have sent us on the 14 Ma’soomeens. They are full of activities, pictures, information and short stories that will be both educational and entertaining. Our aim is to make sure all the books are read and our students benefit from them. We thank you once again for your generous contribution.
Sr. Naznin Mukhtar (Head of Madrasah, Arusha)
The quality of the books is excellent. The activities were informative and different. Students loved it and started to do the activities immediately. For us teachers, the activities were innovative that could test our knowledge.
Sr Nelly Mistry (Head of Madrasah Mwanza)
The books have equipped our students with a fun and creative medium to learn about the Imams & the activities help them brainstorm about stories they have read.
Sr Sukaina Rajvani (Head of Madrasah Morogoro)
Mulla Sajjad Bhai Walji, Chairman of AFTAB, had the esteemed opportunity to give a speech at the Mombasa masjid regarding these books and presented them to Alhaj Yusuf Jiwa, Honorary Secretary of Mombasa Jamaat. In his address, he requested everyone to create time to read the books and remember the donors and their marhūmīn in Du‘ās. He expressed his hope that these books would bring further knowledge and understanding about the Ma‘sūmīn (a).
AFTAB Secretariat
13th May 2023