November Newsletter Madina Monthly

Check Out Our Very First Comic Strip Below and Participate in a Fun and Thoughtful Competition to Get Yours Published in our Next Issue (Grades 3-8)

KG: Hana Alkasir

1st Grade: Ibrahim Intaj

2nd Grade: Jacob Amonov

3rd grade: Mirha Kashif,

4th Grade : Ibrahim Shaikh

KG: Orhan Osmanli

1st Grade : Nouman Simsek

2nd grade : Amal Khan

3rd grade: Layan Hamooda

4th Grade : Aseel Shehaiber

5th grade : Omar Fahad.

We’ve officially made it through a whole quarter, and the events are still going on!!!!

The excitement was buzzing through the kids when we had a visit from our local fire department. Students had the chance to walk around the truck, peek into the back, and see up close the tools firefighters use every day. They were talking about how big the hoses were and how shiny the panels looked. The firefighters also shared helpful safety tips in a fun and engaging way, turning it into a learning experience. By the time the truck had to go back, the kids were full of stories to take home and tell their parents, making this visit a highlight they won’t forget.

Then the middle schoolers participated in the Lions Club Peace Poster Contest, which was a great way to test their artistic skills. This year’s theme was ‘Together as One’, which also ties back to our Islamic values of unity. Students were asked to draw or paint a poster that followedthe theme, and the top four were chosen. Congratulations to the winners who represented Madina Academy in the contest: Sohyla Hassan, Salma Hassan, Zakaria Khaled, and Nabaad Abdulkadir.

Those who represented MADINA:

CONGRATULATIONS SALMA!! 👩🏻‍🎨👩🏻‍🎨💯💙

Ayah:

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌۭ ٧

And ˹remember˺ when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. But if you are ungrateful, surely My punishment is severe.’” (14:7)

Hadith:

حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعُ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ الثَّوْرِيِّ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ الْوَلاَءُ لِمَنْ أَعْطَى الثَّمَنَ وَوَلِيَ النِّعْمَةَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Narrated 'Aishah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: The right of inheritance belongs to only to the one who paid the price (of the slave) and patronised him by doing an act of gratitude.

Sunan Abi Dawud 2916

Gratitude isn’t just a feeling that we are all taught to have - it’s a way of living life. In Islam, shukr (thankfulness) is a path that unlocks many blessings. When life gets hard, it’s important that we put gratitude on the spotlight. Exams may stress us, friendships may challenge us, and responsibilities may put our mental state down, but pausing to say Alhamudlillah shifts our mind from emptiness to abundance.

Allah (SWT) promises those who have gratitude infinite rewards and success. Even the smallest things that you are grateful for are beloved to Him. Imagine the generous blessings and rewards we get from Allah for something so small?

This month, start with gratitude. You may begin to see it as just thanking Allah, but you will see the success that comes with it. It takes time – Allah can change your life in ways you never thought possible. Each day, write down three things that you are grateful for.

Gratitude softens the heart, strengthens patience, and reminds us that Allah’s mercy is always with us.

Keep pushing, be grateful, and watch the success grow.

Congratulations to all the winners of the Lions Club Peace Poster! They did a wonderful job this year, and the messages behind the posters were very empowering.

What went through their minds while making these incredible pieces? How did they come up with their ideas?

Sohyla Hassan explained that puzzle pieces were her first choice because they fit naturally with the theme. However, her ideas changed. She said “After multiple brainstorms, I stumbled upon an important idea—that unity isn’t one symbol, but many. That’s when I decided to bring together landscapes from around the world, olive branches, doves, and flags coming out of an unzipped Earth.” This led to her chosen piece, which truly captured the meaning of unity.

Salma Hassan’s process was similar. She said she “ first had to perceive the meaning of this year's theme and how it could be showcased into a drawing.” She explained further: “I added metal chains to the side of my poster, each blocking harm and destruction behind them. In the middle, I added a big puzzle which had different drawings in them representing peace and oneness.”

Both posters took a lot of thought and reflection on whether their ideas fit the theme.

What were these girls’ views on the theme, “Together as One”?

Sohyla said, “Not only does this theme encourage the central theme of peace amongst others, but it also fosters the outcomes of productivity and problem solving.” She added, “The theme ‘Together as One’ is important as it’s not just a concept of worldly matter, but it incorporates a key component of Islam…we are taught to treat each other as brothers and sisters.”

Salma shared something equally important: “This year's theme...fits around with the ongoing situations that are occurring at this current time. Being together represents unity, and when people become connected, they support each other as a whole.” This is something we should all take to heart—when we are connected, we uplift and support one another.

Lastly, as Muslims, we should reflect on how to incorporate this theme into our lives.

Salma mentioned meaningful practices such as, "practicing ukhuwah (brotherhood) by doing acts of worship in congregation… breaking our fast during iftar time, or even gathering for Islamic lessons in congregation.” She added a message everyone should hear: “Ensuring unity shows Allah (SWT) how you are trying to keep away from self destruction.”

Sohyla explains it more by saying, “As Muslims, ‘together as one’ can be emphasized through multiple ways such as always making sure to spread our knowledge to others… encouraging better actions and avoiding what makes us divided (fitnah). Collective practices like congregational prayers provide us with a sense of truly being together as one.”

With all of these words of wisdom—no matter how young they actually are—we learned so much from speaking with them. Their posters express the belief that unity is something we practice and carry with us every day. Congratulations again to them both and to the other selected students.

I believe that Islamic schools are superior to non-Islamic schools because they provide a more stable environment—especially in today’s world, where social media and other distractions are so mainstream that one could very easily get persuaded by haram. Islamic schools offer a space where academics and values work together rather than pull students in opposite directions, creating a sense of consistency that many larger schools lack.

Even though Islamic schools may not have the same level of funding, their smaller class sizes and stronger relationships with teachers help students feel genuinely cared for. According to the Islamic Schools League of America, about 55% of full-time Islamic schools in the U.S. have fewer than 100 students, which helps explain the very individualized attention students receive. They also bring together a wide range of cultural backgrounds within a shared faith, giving students exposure to diversity while still allowing them to stay rooted in their identity.

And while some assume Islamic schools fall behind academically, many still offer rigorous classes and programs, all while emphasizing character, discipline, and responsibility. This balance helps students grow into grounded, successful individuals who are prepared for life long after graduation.

I believe non-Islamic schools are more advantageous as they provide more resources and opportunities for students. Although Islamic schools provide kids with a strong moral foundation and a familiar community, they receive less government funding, which limits what they can offer. Whether it’s fewer extracurricular activities, academic opportunities, or simply less exposure to different types of people.

Non-Islamic schools typically have a wider range of classes in STEM, the arts, AP, and honors programs, giving students more chances to explore their interests and potential career paths. Beyond academics, these schools provide exposure to a diverse set of people with different backgrounds and beliefs—something everyone will eventually encounter after graduation.

Research shows that diversity in schools not only boosts academic success, but also improves critical thinking and social understanding. According to a TCF report, students who attend racially diverse schools strengthen their problem solving skills and empathy because they interact with peers from different racial and religious backgrounds. Being in that environment teaches students how to communicate, collaborate, and work together with people who may not share the same values, which is an important skill to build for adulthood.

Now that we have our Quarter 1 report cards, this is honestly the best time to look at what we did well and what we can fix. Instead of panicking over grades, try to look at them the way Islam teaches us to look at ourselves, with patience and the intention to improve. Allah doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but He does love effort (which will get you more good deeds, btw). So use your report card as a guide, not something to stress over.

If your grades weren’t what you wanted, it’s okay. This is just the first quarter, and you can still turn things around. And if your grades were good, keep doing what you're doing and stay humble. We still have three more quarters to grow, Inshallah.

One thing that really helps is staying organized. Having a planner or a journal helps a lot. Write down your assignments, tests, and anything else with a deadline. Sometimes we think we’ll remember everything, then we forget and get stressed at the last minute. If I’m being honest right now, I would NOT have done well in high school without using a planner. It keeps me on track and makes school feel a lot less overwhelming.

Quarter 2 is a fresh start. So, set one or two small goals, make your intentions for the sake of Allah, and try your best. Inshallah, all the effort you put in will pay off.

Quick Tips for Quarter 2

• Use a planner or a journal to write down upcoming deadlines

• Set small goals for yourself, like improving in one class every two weeks

• Ask questions when you’re confused instead of waiting

• Study a little every day instead of cramming

• Make dua and trust in Allah’s choices.

We want to hear from you. You can ask about anything: school, friends, stress, or just random stuff. Everything stays completely anonymous, so don’t worry about anyone finding out who asked.

Send your questions to aliaah@madinaacademy.org or sarahe@madinaacademy.org. We’ll answer some questions in the next newsletter issue, so don’t be shy, because your questions might help someone else too!

Our Islamic beliefs and actions guide how we live day to day. Here are some important questions from our elementary and middle school students. Keep on questioning!

Why do we pray five times a day?

Answer:
We pray five times a day because it helps us stay connected to Allah (SWT) throughout our daily lives. Prayer is not just about asking for things, but rather it is a moment to pause, be thankful, and remember that Allah (SWT) is always watching over us. By praying regularly, we learn good habits such as patience, discipline, and kindness. It helps calm our hearts, encourages us to forgive others, and pushes us to be better people every day. Prayer also reminds us that no matter how busy life gets, our relationship with Allah (SWT) is the most important.

Why is the Qur’an considered the most important book in Islam, and how can we show respect for it?

Answer:
The Qur’an is the most important book in Islam because we believe it is the exact word of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Angel Jibreel. It guides us on how to live a good and meaningful life, how to worship Allah (SWT), and how to treat others with kindness and fairness. We show respect for the Qur’an by handling it carefully, keeping it in a clean place, and performing wudu before touching it. We should also recite it with proper pronunciation and try to understand its message. Many Muslims memorize parts of the Qur’an, and some even memorize the entire book, which is considered a great honor.

Why is helping others and giving charity (sadaqah) important in Islam?

Answer:
Helping others is very important in Islam because it shows compassion, empathy, and love for our community. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that even a smile is charity. When we give sadaqah — whether it’s money, time, or kindness — we are sharing the blessings Allah (SWT) has given us. Islam teaches that what we give away never truly leaves us; it comes back in the form of peace, happiness, and reward from Allah. Giving charity also helps us think about people who may be struggling and reminds us to be grateful for what we have.

Why are the pillars of Islam important?

Answer:

The pillars of Islam are important because they form the core of our faith and guide our daily life. The Shahadah affirms belief in Allah, Salah strengthens our connection to Him through regular prayer, Zakat promotes generosity and helps those in need, fasting in Ramadan teaches self-discipline and empathy, and Hajj unites Muslims in worship and humility. Together, they build strong faith, good character, and a caring community.

Why should we send prayers upon the Prophet?

Answer:

We should send prayers upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) whenever he is mentioned because Allah commands it and promises great reward for it. Sending salawat shows love and respect for the Prophet, strengthens our connection to him, and brings Allah’s mercy and blessings upon the one who recites it. It also purifies the heart and reminds us of the Prophet’s guidance, helping us grow closer to Allah and follow the right path.

Why is having good friends/ company important?

Answer:

We should have good friends because they influence our character, behavior, and the choices we make. Good friends encourage us to do what is right, remind us of our values, and support us during difficult times. They help us grow, stay motivated, and avoid harmful habits or negative influences. Being around righteous people also strengthens our faith and connection to Allah (SWT). Having good friends leads to a healthier, happier, and more meaningful life.

These questions remind us that learning about Islam is a journey we should always strive for. By praying, reading the Qur’an, helping others, and surrounding ourselves with good friends, we strengthen our connection to Allah (SWT) and live a meaningful, fulfilling life.

Did you enjoy this comic? Create your own and get it published in next month’s newspaper! You can draw it by hand, or create it online through apps like Papa Louie Pals (like the comic strip above).

One winner will be chosen from elementary and one from middle school.

The comic strip must include some kind of moral or Islamic message. Submit it by emailing to sarahe@madinaacademy.org and zainahk@madinaacademy.org by December 15th.

On top of publishing your comic strip in the paper, you will receive a very awesome prize.🏆