Reflections from students of the Mentorship Program at DAH - Phase 1

We are excited to announce that phase 1 of the Mentorship Program at DAH has ended. Out of the 45 sisters who joined the program in 2022, 20 sisters have successfully completed the Teachers-in-Training program ما شاء الله and have been selected for Phase 2.

Learn about their experiences below

By Taysir Elgoul

We benefit from the stories of the prophets and Islamic history, preaching and evidence to live a better life. But we are always in conflict with our soul and the world with its renewed temptation and the devil.

Until we see the glitter of hope, thank God.

The Mentorship Program for Teachers at DAH comes like Noah's Ark to save those who want to survive, carrying all the hearts eager to find the truth inshallah.

In our class (Ark), we may find ourselves in struggle and but even with those hardships, we find our selves at ease when reading Quran. Like the calm sea, every mistake pushes us to become more fluent. We started as a small boat and rose to be a giant ship. Nothing will stop us from reaching our goal inshallah.

 Writing and photography by Samira Harun

Alhamdulillaah I am so grateful for this class at dar alhijrah. Coming to recite and learn the Qur'an every Friday has been such a blessing. Ustada's love for teaching is clear to see, and the joy of it that she exudes also makes me happy; her joy is contagious!

To be specific, I have benefitted from the detailed way that ustada picks up on mistakes during recitation times, and explains the correction whilst making you repeat several times. May Allah reward ustada dunyaa wal akhira

Writing and photography by Sophia Jawara

Alhamdulilah we’ve reached week 6 of the ITQAN mentorship program at Dar Al-Hijrah!

I look forward to this class every week and have truly benefited, honestly wouldn’t mind if it was an hour or two longer !

A few things that have stuck with me is the importance of how you shape your mouth/lips when it comes to the pronunciation of the letters. I find myself randomly reciting the ayah: ‎صُمٌّۢ بُكْمٌ عُمْىٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ to see if I’m positioning my mouth the way Ustadha Khadijah taught us.

Another thing that I have benefited from is the importance of learning where to stop and start when you’re in the middle of an ayah or have yet to reach one of the stop signs.

Going against your muscle memory is a long journey as well as a hard task, but I’m honestly grateful to have a teacher as detailed as Ustadha and ask Allah Azawajal to increase her ranks.

Side note: I enjoy the unintentional mini lessons we get from time to time, like how the Quran was compiled & the exception of rulings in some words.

Written by Sulakha Abdi

The mentorship program commenced on October 21st, almost a month after the first day of fall

Many changes occur in this beautiful season most notably, the leaves changing into vibrant and beautiful colors. Similarly, one beautiful recent change in my life has been joining this mentorship program.

Honestly, I've been enjoying this class and everything that comes with it. It has become something that I truly look forward to every week.

From learning the Qur'an, the environment, our amazing teacher, the bright smiles from the sisters I am surrounded with.... what more could I ask for?

I've benefited a lot during these past couple of weeks and I am grateful to be apart of such a wonderful class Alhamdullilah. I can't wait to see how it will continue to benefit not only me but everyone else in shaa Allah

Written by Sosan Rahimyar - Art by Najia Shareefy

By the will of Allah ﷻ we’ve officially hit one month of the ITQAN program!

Time truly flies by and it passes even quicker when you’re enjoying it, especially in this class الحمد لله.

There hasn’t been one class where I haven’t picked up at least one benefit from Sub’hanAllah.

Such as the movement of lips, in which we recently discussed. This teqnique is an absolute must in order to apply tajweed. When this is applied, it significantly improves your recitation Sub’hanAllah.

Even though we’re a month into the program it’s still not too late to join!

Come and absorb the ilm إن شاء الله! May Allah ﷻ bless Shaykha Khadija and the students who are attending and may He make us amongst the people of the Quran.

Art by Awadia Musa

Friday Nov 11, 2022 - 4th class

Surat Elbagarah from 70-89

My benefits

How we do wagf on الحق: Do strong galgalah, because of Sokoon and Stop Sign.

I got to know why there is no Sila Sugra after: because there is with socoon before the Haa. The word should have Harakat on all letters to have Small Sila after.

We have to give the same amount of time for Raa and Laam the الأرض.

How to do Dama then go back to sukoon .

Elevate our Voice when we should do Nabr when we have Ma and when Shadda Comes after.

To Come with the correct Hamza we have to stop breathing for a second

Written by Haleema Rahman

It is a blessing to come together every Friday evening to practice reciting Quran. It’s an added bonus to have brownies, mirrors, and smiles (on the white board and our faces) in the gathering!

This week we continued to recite to our teacher, receive corrections, and use the mirror to correct our facial movements. I look forward to learning, smiling, and enjoying sweets with this amazing group of sisters!

By Ikran Ahmed

Alhamdulilah it was another great class with Shiekha Khadeejah.

We started the class with a beautiful reminder about the importance of being in a gathering of the remembrance of Allah and learning about his book.

Then each sister started to read one ayah from Surat al-baqrah:

(صم بكم عمي فهم لا يرجعون)

I was so nervous and scared when it was my turn to read this ayah to the teacher even though, I practiced the whole week.

I felt so relieved after I read to the teacher, and she told me I read well with no mistakes which made my day Alhamdulilah.

Written by Khalida Wara

Alhamdulilah!!

I felt the acceptance of my continuous Dua from the moment I headed towards the class and was blessed with congregational Maghreb prayer.

Soon after I met the teacher about whom I had heard tremendously good things from her adoring students, who utilized a hallway wait time into an enlightening time, a beneficial keen idea to learn while standing.

Next fascinating class practice was that I never had used a mirror to check my lips movements and articulation points………absolutely amazing idea SubhanAllah.

All and all I got home wholeheartedly content feeling acceptance of this Dua (Oh!! Allah I ask you for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision and acceptable righteous deeds)

Jazakallahu Khaira dear Shaikha Khadija this awesome opportunities to learn beneficial knowledge.

May Allah reward you abundantly and accept it from you and all of us!!

By Abyan Osman

After a long stressful day of exams, I travelled from the University of Maryland to Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in order to attend the first session of the Mentorship Program.

Alhamdulliah, I finally found the peace and tranquility I was searching for the whole day.

Due to this being the first class, we quickly went over the purpose behind the overall class and the expectations that were required to be met. This includes making sure you attend each and every class on time so you can keep up with the fast paced content and stay on track.

Coming to this class truly made me feel at ease; with the help of Sister Khadeejah's Hatice Canan Akyurt outgoing energy and engaging jokes.

Inshallah, I cannot wait to attend next Friday’s class and see what’s in store.