The kids who normally roam the Masjid’s two floors sat in the front row among older supporters of the masjid at a fundraising dinner of its Islamic school on August 15, 2009. Abdul-Rauf is now an Imam of a masjid he built in Gulfport, Mississippi.
“Knowledge could make a slave into a King,” said Abdul-Rauf. “We look at education as preparation for job for financial security, but we are missing the primary purpose of education-intelligence-it could serve as a means for the survival of the people.” An estimated 100 DC Metro community Muslims attended the 5th Annual fundraising dinner for the Masjid Al-Islam Group Home School (GHS). After collecting donations and pledges, Imam Abdul Alim Musa auctioned artwork completed from the previous school year by GHS students. The fundraiser reeled in $4,000 in cash and checks.
Imam Musa said, “Your money will not go to waste here at our school,” as he held up a unique carved painting of one student expressing his vision of the moon and the planets on a recycled wooden plate.
The young Muslims of the community are echoing the message of the National Saibuqun Movement led by Imam Musa. Most of the children live in the vicinity of the Masjid in Southeast, and some in other parts of DC and Maryland.
The students proudly said they fear none but Allah. They said they are pleased to have an Islamic school in the inner city where they can do little things to show people Islam.
Comparing western education where church is separated from the state, Abdul-Rauf commented Muslims can’t put away their religion in their “closets.”
Referencing studies done by Harvard and Yale professors, Abdul-Rauf explained African children have an inherent talent to learn quickly. He added history shows that Africans and Muslims were the inventors of many modern day disciplines such as Algebra, and many sciences.
GHS staff said children are yearning for a loving and nurturing learning environment. “This is why our children love education,” said assistant Imam Tufail.
Reflecting back to the days of controversy in his last years in the NBA, Abdul-Rauf said he was implementing his religion in his life when he refused to stand up for the national anthem. He used the controversy to educate others about his religion.
Abdul-Rauf found people who shared his values and principles. For Muslim children attending public schools, “you have to approach it from a position of leadership,” he said.
Initially people were surprised. But over time, they respected him and sometimes even followed his footsteps.
This key element of putting Islam into practice, character building and virtues are missing in the public school education, said Bahiya Ali, GHS Coordinator.
Every month, students at GHS role play on how to deal with issues of the society. This acting of scenarios helps them visualize and understand how to forbid evil and enjoin good where they are surrounded by many ills of society outlawed in Islam.
“We have to learn our history to understand our present and envision our future,” added Abdul-Rauf.
Masjid Al-Islam’s GHS has been in existence since 1998. However, the full operation of the school with teachers and classrooms began in 2000. The GHS utilizes DC’s state accredited Community Academy Public Charter School’s (CAPCS) Virtual K-12 Home Schooling Curriculum.
Students learn math and science and put that learning into practice. When the school needs funds for a field trip or pizza on Fridays, students work in their halal grocery store to generate revenue.
“We are trying to teach our children independence and life skills,” said Ali.
“Our children are learning useful education. They learn not only arithmetic, but how to manage their money and how to conduct business teaches them how to put their skills into practical life,” said Imam Musa.
The upcoming 2009-2010 school year consists of fifteen students enrolled in Kindergarten through 6th grade.
Abdul-Rauf played for the Denver Nuggetts from 1990 to 1995 and was a key player on the team, winning the most-improved player award in 1993. Abdul-Rauf later went on to play for the Sacramento Kings and later the Vancouver Grizzlies. He led the league in free-throw percentage in 1994 and 1996. Since retiring from basketball, he has built a mosque in his home town of Gulfport, Mississippi, and has become an Imam.
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