Religious Studies
It is our goal to develop in each child a love for, and understanding of, God and Islam and to nurture an identity in each child as a confident and faithful American Muslim. We hope to accomplish these goals through instruction in three basic areas: Islamic Studies, Qur’anic Studies and Arabic Language.
In the elementary school, students receive instruction in these areas with one specialist teacher for two 45 minute periods per day. Using an original series of text materials in Arabic, the teacher follows a sequential program in which students develop reading, writing and speaking ability. In Islamic Studies, the program emphasizes various themes each month, which include basic beliefs to stories of the prophets to moral values and ethics. Verses from the Qur’an are selected according to these themes for children to understand and memorize as part of our Qur’anic Studies curriculum. Chapters from the Thirtieth Part of the Qur’an are also taught according to age-appropriate meaning.
The Bureau of Islamic and Arabic Education (BIAE) provides the New Horizon schools with the Religious Studies Curriculum in the core subjects of Arabic Language, Qur'anic Studies, and Islamic Studies. The BIAE is an affiliate of the Islamic Center of Southern California and assists the schools in teacher recruitment and training, as well as creates supplemental materials to support student learning within the classroom.
In addition to the core curriculum, the Religious Studies program is supported everyday and throughout the year through the following activities:
- Daily Zuhr Prayer - Upper grade students do the athan, iqama, and lead the prayers
- Weekly Character Awards - Recognizing those students who show exemplary conduct & character
- Hajj Simulation - Training the students for the steps of Hajj to Mecca
- Canned Food Drive - During Ramadan to remember those who are hungry
- Eid Toy Drive - During Eid Ul-Adha to remember those who may not be able to afford gifts
- Ramadan Iftar Potluck - To break fast with each other as a community
- Eid Carnival - To celebrate our holiday with the community
