The Madrasah, The Masjid, The Community

Suggested Duration: 60 minutes

Learning Objectives

To understand how we can contribute to the community through the madrasah
To know that working closely together in the community is part of citizenship

Key Words

Madrasah, masjid, community, working together

Islamic Values

Islam encourages us to help others and to serve the community.

Citizenship Values

A good citizen works in the community.

Resources

Activities

Ask some quick questions to recap the last lesson. Share the lesson objectives.

A Starter Activity

Play the 'Twenty questions' game for various community jobs - for instance, police officer, postman, doctor, teacher, nurse and imam.

Pupils ask various questions in order to guess the person you are thinking about. To engage pupils you can give them a few sample questions that they may ask, such as 'Do they wear a uniform?' or 'Do they work in a hospital?'

You can only respond with 'yes' or 'no' answers. The class only has twenty questions to get the right answer.

Emphasise that there are many different ways of contributing to, and caring for, the community.

B Development

Activity 1: Building Understanding

Ask pupils how they think their madrasah could help communities come together, and help to build better understanding between people of different faiths and backgrounds. Take feedback.

Some suggestions might include:

visits to other places of worship
visits to places such as police stations, fire services, and the local council
inviting and welcoming people of different faiths and backgrounds into the madrasah.

Ask pupils:

Have you ever visited another masjid?
Have you ever visited a different place of worship other than a masjid?
Do you have friends and neighbours who are not Muslims?
Do you treat them differently to your Muslim friends and neighbours?

Activity 2: Understanding 'Community' and 'Madrasah/Masjid'

Ask pupils about their understanding of the words 'community' and 'madrasah' and what takes place in both.

Take feedback.

Use Pupils' Activity Sheet 2.0401. Divide the class into small groups and ask pupils to identify where they think each word/activity belongs.

The following words/activities are listed on the activity sheet.

Madrasah/Masjid - teaching, helping the poor, charity, funeral services, worship area, children's events/trips, catering, sports facilities, family activities, marriage services and multi-faith activities.

Community - hospital, post office, shopping, restaurants, sports facilities, parks, counselling, library, places of worship.

Emphasise that there are certain things common to the role of a madrasah/masjid and the role of community, and many activities complement each other. This shows the importance of people working together to help and support one another and to create a cohesive society.

Emphasise that a community is made up of people and service providers, such as teachers, doctors, librarians, counsellors, bus drivers and police officers. A good citizen is very much part of their community.

Activity 3: Islamic Guidance

Ask a pupil to recite the following verses. Explain the meaning.

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبَرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

'...And help each other in good and righteousness, and do not help each other in sin and aggression...' (Surat al-Ma'idah 5:2)

Emphasise that the Quran encourages us to help and support each other in good deeds. This is known as taawun.

God says: 'My creation is my dependent. The most beloved ones to me are those who are the kindest to each other and strive to fulfil the needs of others.' (Al-Kafi)

'Indeed God helps a person as long as that person is helping someone.' (Muslim)

C Plenary

Summarise the ideal community and madrasah. Emphasise that a good madrasah is one that provides many community services.

Ask pupils what would be their ideal madrasah.

Suggested answers: friendly, fun, active place where I learn a lot about my faith, a place where I can make friends, play football, games, have a snack, get help with my school homework, use computers.

Ask pupils what would be their ideal community.

Suggested answers: where people live safely, respect each other, no racism, no hatred, people help each other, all their needs are met.

Suggested Follow-up Work

Give instructions for follow-up work:

Write a letter to your madrasah principal/head with your suggestions about how your madrasah can be more like your ideal.

Community Madrasah Table

Sort the words/activities listed below by placing 'X' in the correct column – for example, do you think that the policeman should be involved in the madrasah or the community or both?

The Madrasah, the Masjid, the Community