Madina Monthly-January Newsletter

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

I hope this message finds you and your families in the best of health and iman.

My name is Jemilat Salami-Oyenuga, and I am honored to introduce myself as the new Principal of Madina Academy. I step into this role with deep gratitude, humility, and a strong sense of responsibility to serve our students, families, and staff with excellence and integrity.

Madina academy has always been more than a place of learning — it is a community built on faith, character, and the pursuit of knowledge. My commitment is to preserve what makes our school special while also strengthening our academic programs, student support systems, and communication with families.

As I transition into this role, we are actively working on solutions to ensure that my former teaching responsibilities are smoothly and effectively covered. Please know that maintaining strong instruction and continuity for students is a top priority, and families will receive updates as plans are finalized.

The rest of the school year will be an exciting one, filled with academic milestones, community events, spiritual growth opportunities, and celebrations of our students’ achievements insha Allah. In the coming weeks, you will receive an updated school calendar outlining important dates and events for the remainder of the year so that you can plan and participate fully in our school life.

I strongly believe that when families, educators, and school leadership work together, our children thrive. I look forward to building meaningful relationships with you and keeping open lines of communication as we work toward our shared goal: nurturing confident, compassionate, and capable Muslim leaders.

Thank you for your continued trust in our school. I am excited for the journey ahead and grateful for the opportunity to serve this community.

Warm regards,

Jemilat Salami-Oyenuga, PhD

Thursday, January 22nd: Full School Day for All Students, PK-12.

Friday, February 6th: Muslimah Night: More details to follow.

Monday, February 9th- 13th: Spirit Week: More details to follow.

February 16th: No School- in observance of President's Day

Tuesday, February 17th: PD Day: No School for Students.

It’s already a brand new year Alhamdulilah!

The first event of the year was the 11th-grade bake sale. There were lots of delicious homemade treats, which caught the attention of all the students and even the teachers. From cookies to Dubai chocolate brownies, and we can’t forget about the savory treats like yummy chicken pizza and biryani. They did a wonderful job raising money for their senior trip, and the kids were happy too.

The 9th and 10th graders have been learning about seeking knowledge with Mrs. Danah. Here’s a sneak peak about what they’ve been learning.

Ayah:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا۟ فِى ٱلْمَجَـٰلِسِ فَٱفْسَحُوا۟ يَفْسَحِ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ ٱنشُزُوا۟ فَٱنشُزُوا۟

يَرْفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ دَرَجَـٰتٍۢ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌۭ ١١

“O believers! When you are told to make room in gatherings, then do so. Allah will make room for you ˹in His grace˺. And if you are told to rise, then do so. Allah will elevate those of you who are faithful, and ˹raise˺ those gifted with knowledge in rank. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” (Surah 58:11)

Hadith:

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ الرَّازِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُعَلَّى، حَدَّثَنَا زِيَادُ بْنُ خَيْثَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي دَاوُدَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَخْبَرَةَ، عَنْ سَخْبَرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَنْ طَلَبَ الْعِلْمَ كَانَ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا مَضَى ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ ضَعِيفُ الإِسْنَادِ ‏.‏ أَبُو دَاوُدَ يُضَعَّفُ وَلاَ نَعْرِفُ لِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَخْبَرَةَ كَبِيِرَ شَيْءٍ وَلاَ لأَبِيهِ وَاسْمُ أَبِي دَاوُدَ نُفَيْعٌ الأَعْمَى تَكَلَّمَ فِيهِ قَتَادَةُ وَغَيْرُ وَاحِدٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ ‏.‏

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Sakhbarah: narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whoever seeks knowledge, he is atoning for what has passed (of sins while doing so)." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2648)

In Islam, seeking knowledge isn’t just about memorizing it when needed and forgetting it later on; it’s about how we apply the knowledge we learned. The Prophet (SAW) emphasized that it is essential for every Muslim to acquire knowledge that is beneficial and spread to others whenever possible. Knowledge is a key component that serves as guidance, elevation, and growth.

Seeking knowledge is meaningless without proper etiquette. The following manners ensure that a Muslim seeks guidance in the right direction, while pleasing Allah (SWT).

1. Set your intention of chasing after knowledge that is beneficial and helping others with what you learned.

2. Prevent yourself from acquiring knowledge for praise or superiority.

3. Apply the knowledge that you have learned as much as possible with a graceful attitude.

4. Build a habit of gaining guidance from Islamic sources given to us (Quran, Sunnah).

5. Thank the person and Allah (SWT) for the opportunity to gain knowledge.

Seeking knowledge takes small steps to become a habit. In Islam, every moment you spend learning knowledge, you please Allah (SWT), and allow yourself an easier life. Don’t let the vast knowledge of this earth allow you to give up: even a few words and one person can rewrite your path and make a difference.

As everyone already knows this, our beloved principal Dr. Cooper has left the school. It has left students confused, and sad to see him go, but also he has left a huge impact on this school and will be remembered by all. We decided to interview some of the high schoolers to see their opinions and reactions on this news.

The first question that was asked of the 3 students was their reaction to the email of Dr. Cooper leaving the school?

Aleeza Ehmad said that, “It was very shocking and it happened all of a sudden. But I had so many questions: what happened, why did he leave?”. This is what all the students have been wondering about but we all believe that Allah does what is best for everyone.

Noor Hassan elaborated and said, “When I first read the email about Dr. Cooper leaving the school, I struggled to believe it. It was surprising to see a well-organized principal stepping down from his role as a school leader. I began to question what the future of our school would turn out to be. After finding out that Ms. Masuda was going to take on the role as Madina Academy’s principal, I felt more at ease.”

Sameer Hassan shared his opinion and it truly was heartwarming to read, “I had already heard from someone (who I won’t name) that Dr. Cooper might be leaving, but seeing the email made it feel real. I was incredibly surprised, just like anyone would be. Our principal, the person who brightened the smiles of every child each day and someone I personally looked up to more than anyone else, was suddenly gone. There was no statement, no speech, no chance for us to say goodbye. All we received was a brief message saying he was leaving “effective immediately,” and that broke my heart. Losing such an important member of our school community left many of us feeling the same way: confused, sad, and unsure of what comes next. This school will never be the same, but I know we’ll continue to grow and move forward together. We’ll all miss Dr. Cooper deeply, and I hope our next principal can fill even a portion of the massive shoes he left behind.”

These statements are what most of the students, especially the ones who were closest to him, feel. It shows how much he cared about this school and everyone in it.

The next and last question that was asked to these students was their opinion of Dr. Cooper and what changes they think he made that impacted this school.

Noor shared this moving statement that, “Dr. Cooper was always a high-spirited person who ensured that everyone was comfortable with the school environment they would be taught at….. Some changes included increasing school extracurriculars, hosting events, and updating the school’s accreditation. In addition, enrollment rates skyrocketed, and amazing teachers were hired, after the drop of these two components during the pandemic. From making the school days memorable to increasing educational opportunities for students, Dr. Cooper demonstrated himself as an exceptional leader of Madina Academy. ”

Sameer said these touching words, “Dr. Cooper wasn’t just a principal; he was a friend.” These few words were one of the truest of all. He elaborated saying, “He was someone you could talk to, someone who balanced seriousness with warmth in a way that made students feel comfortable and supported. He had a rare ability to blend fun with hard work, and he genuinely cared about each student as if they were his own children. Principals like that only come once in a lifetime. He transformed our school from what sometimes felt like a monotonous routine into a place students actually looked forward to each morning. He strengthened our sense of community, making it more close-knit and welcoming than ever before. His presence alone brought a feeling of safety and lightheartedness that lifted the atmosphere around him.

I wish he could have stayed, especially because there are still things in our school that need improvement. But now, we’ll learn to work with our new principal to continue the progress Dr. Cooper started.”

Lastly, Aleeza said, “He was a very good principal, he made very impactful and positive changes like he introduced lots of fun and interactive events, friendly competition, and made an effort to talk and connect with students. He will be missed very much.”

We will all miss Dr. Cooper dearly and will continue to make dua for him on his journey, and like Noor last said, “Madina Academy wishes Dr. Cooper to succeed in his next chapter inshaAllah”.

Naureen Ambia

Phones should be allowed in school because they help teachers provide hands-on learning, offer parents a fast way to communicate with their children in case of an emergency, and teach an important lesson about being responsible with their phones in a working environment, which will certainly help them when they get jobs in the future. Many teachers use apps such as Kahoot or Blooket, and phones can make it easier for students to have better access to them. They can also be used for group activities, where students can use them for research, notes, or to make quick edits to their slideshows. Additionally, when a Chromebook dies, students can use their phone to continue their work instead of waiting for it to charge or having to pull up a seat near the charging station. Overall, phones provide a more convenient and interactive way to learn, making it engaging rather than simply listening to teachers' lectures. Another reason why phones should be allowed in school is for safety reasons. Having easy accessibility to their phones gives both parents and students a sense of security. Cell phones offer a fast and easy way to get in contact with parents in the case of an emergency. Whether it is medically related or something more serious, children can send a quick message or easily make a phone call. A final reason is that phones teach students a valuable lesson in self-control and responsibility. When students are allowed to keep their phones with them during school, they begin to learn how to manage distractions, as in the real world, workplaces aren’t going to take their phones away from them. In the future, those students will be expected to manage their time and not get distracted, so why not prepare them for it and teach them to hold themselves back from using their phones? They also start to understand when to use it for work, not for scrolling on social media during important times. While I understand the concerns phones give to schools, namely, cheating or not paying attention during class, prohibiting it outright is not the answer. Instead, we should set restrictions, if needed, and encourage and teach students to use them responsibly and for the right reasons. Phones provide valuable resources and benefits for teaching, and it would be a waste if we did not use them to our advantage.

Juman Tuffaha

Phones should not be allowed in school, this is due to multiple reasons; while yes, they are useful in some aspects, the negatives outweigh the positives. One of the biggest issues with phones in school is distraction, as notifications, social media, games, and messaging make it extremely difficult for students to stay focused on lessons—even when rules are in place—which can lower academic performance and reduce participation while forcing teachers to spend valuable class time monitoring phone use instead of teaching. Another major concern is academic dishonesty, since phones make cheating much easier during quizzes, tests, or assignments by allowing students to search for answers, share information, or take pictures, making it harder for teachers to accurately assess learning. Phones can also negatively impact social skills and mental health, as students may rely on their devices instead of interacting face-to-face with peers, limiting the development of communication and teamwork skills while excessive phone use can increase stress, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. Although phones can be helpful in emergencies, schools already have systems in place to contact parents or emergency services, making personal phone access unnecessary during class time. Additionally, while educational apps can be useful, schools provide Chromebooks and other monitored devices that are better suited for learning. Overall, the distractions, cheating opportunities, reduced social interaction, and negative effects on focus make phones more harmful than helpful in a school environment.

If you feel like you have been procrastinating way more lately, then you are not alone. A lot of people start feeling this way halfway through the school year, including me. The motivation from the beginning of the school year is gone, stress is piling up from all the responsibilities, and everything feels like it's due at the same time. When that happens, avoiding the work can feel easier than starting it.

However, one thing to remember is that procrastination is not always about being lazy. Most of the time, it happens because we are overwhelmed. Instead of focusing on everything you have to do, try starting with one small thing. Not the whole assignment, just baby steps. Like opening the assignment, writing one sentence, or just working for a certain amount of time. Starting is usually the hardest part, but once you do start, you just fly through it.

Also, remind yourself that your work does not have to be perfect. It's better to get something done than to do nothing. It is okay to be tired and stressed, but keep in mind that doesn't mean you are failing. It just shows you are a human, and this part of the school year is hard for a lot of people. And as a senior, I can attest to that because senioritis is hitting really hard at this time of the year, but what matters is the effort you put into pushing yourself to be better.

Faqiha Faheem -

As a Muslim, healthy self esteem and confidence can be built by understanding that true value is given by Allah, not by what people think of you. It involves both recognizing your strengths and being proud of yourself, as well as understanding where you lack and working to improve your weaknesses without harsh self-judgment. Confidence grows by trying your best and making dua to improve and be guided to the straight path. Avoiding narcissism is not only to acknowledge your strengths and be content with them, but also to remain humble. Everyone has a unique gift from Allah, but that doesn't make one superior over another. The key is to have a balance between self confidence and humbleness. Display good character and speak good towards everyone including yourself. Be grateful for what Allah has given you, and never look down upon someone for having less. This kind of confidence is healthy: not boastful, but rather strong and humble. This will keep you on the straight path and connected to Allah, while letting your good qualities shine naturally.

Salma Tuffaha -

Great question! The easiest way in school is through islamic studies/ Quran classes. You should try to pay more attention in islamic studies class and try to find ways the lessons relate to you so you can use them in your daily life. Find a topic that interests you, such as prophet stories, and research that and find what you can do similar to them. For most people, Quran class may feel like a chore, especially memorization. This week, try and renew your intention behind it. Focus on the meaning of the ayahs and the story they tell, instead of it seeming like gibberish. During tajweed, have the intention that you are learning this to be able to read the Quran better and become close to the words of Allah. Not to mention the Jummah khutbah, a short yet interesting speech that gives you more details in Islam and how you should act, so make sure you don’t zone out! And last but not least, surround yourself with people who have the same values as you. A good friend goes a long way. Alhamdulilah we are lucky enough to be able to attend an Islamic school, and if you have more questions, there are multiple teachers who would love to assist you more!