Over the past few years, we’ve keenly felt the absence of a ‘normal’ Ramadan in our lives. The pandemic rendered traditional Ramadan activities outside our homes impossible, leaving us yearning for the communal worship and self-reflection of pre-pandemic times. Alhamdulillah, with Allah’s abundant blessings, Ramadan 2022 arrived, urging us to make the most of it, reminiscent of times past. Even at Al Manarat Islamic Schools, we’ve diligently seized the opportunities of this sacred month to impart its significance and love to our students.

Traditionally, our in-school Ramadan activities focused on various aspects of the holy month, fostering unity within our community. This year, we concentrated on three core themes: The Holy Quran, Fasting, and Charity. All our activities revolved around these themes, highlighting their pivotal role during Ramadan.

Our Ramadan activities commenced with the Daurah-e-Quran program, aiming to recite the entire Quran over the month, accompanied by translations and insights into each surah’s teachings. This program, conducted both in-person and online, emphasized understanding the Quran’s message in one’s own language, facilitating deeper spiritual connections. Participants were also provided with copies of “The Clear Quran” for reflection at home.

In classrooms, students delivered daily hadiths related to Ramadan, enhancing their understanding and reverence for the month’s sanctity while honing their public-speaking skills. Additionally, our Friday khutbahs emphasized the significance of fasting and maximizing good deeds during Ramadan.

The Annual Quran Challenge engaged students in grades 1 through 8, with each group tasked with specific recitation challenges. Students showcased their tajweed skills and comprehension through recitations and brief explanations of selected verses. The competition also included an Arabic handwriting challenge, promoting holistic Quranic engagement.

Charity remained a central focus through our Generosity Challenge, where students collected donations throughout Ramadan. Siblings collaborated to fill charity boxes, reinforcing the importance of continuous giving in Islam. Proceeds supported various Islamic causes globally.

Concluding our Ramadan initiatives, the Food Drive witnessed overwhelming participation from students and staff, collecting essential food items for needy communities, particularly in Palestine. This collective effort reflected our commitment to Islamic principles of charity and compassion.

As Eid approached, students gathered Eid goodie bags and practiced the takbeerat, emphasizing the significance of celebrating Eid in accordance with Islamic traditions.

We extend our prayers for a blessed Ramadan and Eid, beseeching Allah’s forgiveness and mercy upon us all. Ameen.