Part 3 – Providing a Path to Ihsan: How to Teach Islamic Studies to Every Age Level: Foundations for Practice – Utilizing the Pillars of Islam to realize the responsibilities of a Muslim

The key to educating our children about their faith is addressing appropriate Islamic concepts at the proper student level.

In this teacher learning series, we will ascertain what the sources of Islam

say about properly teaching Islam. We will also delve into the student stages of development. 

Uncover the essential teachings and methods required to help students develop a healthy relationship

with their Creator which naturally promotes Islamic character development and the desire to strive

for Ihsan or excellence in all aspects of life.

 

Please note that these sessions provide instructional guidance for parents, Islamic Studies teachers, and everyone involved in children’s Islamic education. Participants who register for all five parts and complete the assignment requirement are eligible to receive a Sound Vision Canada Certificate of Completion. Please email info@soundvisioncanada.org for further details.

 

Part 3: Foundations for Practice – Utilizing the Pillars of Islam to realize the responsibilities of a Muslim 

How to teach Islamic Studies for Grades 3-5

1. Transitioning from the Pillars of Faith to the Pillars of Islam
2. There is Wisdom Behind the Practice
3. Accessing the Primary Sources of Islam
4. Islam is More than Pillars
5. The Role of a Vicegerent

Abir Catovic is one of America’s Islamic Education pioneers. She began her teaching career while in college,
volunteering at her local masjid, developing an early elementary Islamic Studies curriculum and eventually
helping to establish a full-time Islamic School. She has taught every grade level from KG through
twelfth grade while serving in administration as a Religious Studies Director, Vice-Principal and Principal. Mrs.
Catovic developed Islamic and Qur’anic Studies curricula for her school’s elementary, middle and high school
levels and created a Prophetic Character Education Program. She also helped to develop a Two-Year Qur’an
Memorization Program that graduated more than fifty male and female Huffadh.

In 2017, Abir Catovic was awarded the Noor Kids Islamic Teacher Appreciation Award, being voted one of the
top three Islamic educators in North America. In 2021, she was the recipient of the New Jersey State
Governor’s Jefferson Award in Education for her “exemplary volunteer efforts and public service”. Currently
she serves as the Board Secretary of WISER (Weekend Islamic Schools Educational Resources) and is an
advisor to the Moral Ecology Trust, a multifaith, multidisciplinary project of the University of Virginia’s Advanced
Studies in Culture Foundation which aims to strengthen youth character formation.