The classes commenced on 3rd March 2014 prior to which feasibility studies were carried out to ensure that the step to introduce free Introduction to Islam classes would be workable and sustainable.
The board of trustees and principal of the centre’s education wing went through several provided syllabuses and conceptualized a standardized one which would be used for the first lot as we opened communication lines with the students to establish what was best for them.
Over a period of three months after classes started and largely based on feedback from students, the syllabus was changed to include an initial 2 week crash program on the five pillars of Islam laying more emphasis on Salaah.
The emphasis on Salaah was upon request from the students, mainly very New Muslims, who expressed the need to learn how to perform Salaah first as they proceeded with the rest of the studies.
Since then, the feedback has been immensely positive. We were able to achieve within the two weeks crash course, a group of students who had grasped the basics of Salaah in a way that they were finally able to comprehend its meaning from start to finish.
In the same way, we encourage those who have gone through the two week crash program to teach the same to others who join later as the main course is progressing. This makes them more bold and courageous and also builds in them the concept of brotherhood.
Currently, the centre is operating with two full-time male teachers, two volunteers and two full-time female teacher.
The students are issued with free stationery too throughout the duration of the course.
(a)Two week crash course on the pillars of islam.[level 1A]
Course duration: 16 hours.
Days: Monday – Thursday.
IICK, prior to giving the any New Muslim the green light to proceed with other studies, offers a 2 week crash course on the 5 pillars of Islam. The philosophy of the crash course is designed to lay more emphasis on Salaah and Wudhu (ablution)
This was necessitated by the fact that having the 2 important aspects above as a topics to be covered gradually over the course duration meant having a New Muslim performing it without proper knowledge.
By the end of the 2 weeks, a student is expected to do the following:
- Understand the concept of the 5 pillars of Islam
- Memorize Surat Al-fatihah.
- Perform wudhu properly.
- Perform Salaah from start to finish without any difficulties.
(b) Introduction to Islam course level 1 to 3.
The courses that follow after the initial two weeks have been conveniently arranged into a simple modular format with each level taking 4 weeks.
In all, we have 3 of such levels taking a total duration of 12 weeks. The topics covered include:
- Tawheed
- Akhlaq and aadab islamia
- Fiqh
- Quran (Learning qaaida baghdadia)
Upon completion of the 12 weeks, the students are given certificates of participation and an opportunity of continuing advanced Islamic studies at Markaz Nur Al-islamiyah ight here in Mombasa.