Free classes on Islam in English

Hamida Khan strives to educate non-Muslims, new Muslims and Muslims about various aspects of Islam


Living in an Islamic country, it is but natural that one would be curious about one of the oldest religions in the world. It should be easy for people of other faiths to learn about this religion which decrees that the women wear a veil and the men pray at the mosques five times a day. But it is seldom easy, claims Hamida Khan.

Hamida has started a movement to conduct free Islamic lessons in English for non-Muslims, new Muslims and Muslims. Classes organised by her are conducted for women at the Markaz Al Huda Tahfiz Al Quran on Al Wuhieda Street, Dubai, every Friday from 8.00am to 11.30am. Classes for men and boys are held at the Preston University, Ajman, also on Fridays from 9.00am to 11.30am.

"Alhamdulillah, it started off when Americana Kuwait Food Company invited me to begin classes for their Christian and Muslim employees at their call centre.

"Later, 16 women embraced Islam by the will of Allah. I still hold classes there every Sunday from 5.00pm to 6.30pm," says Hamida.

About 85 women attend her classes and over 45 are registered for the men's and boy's section. Hamida is planning to start a separate batch for boys under 10 years. "The current class is for boys above 10 and we need at least 25 students to start a fresh batch as we conduct them very professionally," she says. Classes for the children of the female students are also held at Markaz Al Huda.

Students are educated about all the aspects of Islam including Islamic Fiqh (jurisprudence), Quran recitation and Tajweed, Aqeedah (creed), Tafseer (Quranic interpretation), Seerah (Biography of the Prophet (PBUH) and stories of the companions of the Prophet (PBUH).

The students get a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the relegion as professional volunteer teachers, including renowned scholars like Dr. Bilal Philips and graduates from Medina University, conduct classes for different subjects.

The classes are inclusive of tutelage, books, transportation and a free breakfast.

"We treat our student guests in the best possible way for this was the way of the Prophet (PBUH), and a lot of credit goes to the volunteers without whom this operation would have been impossible," says Hamida.

Some discreet matrimonial services for the new Muslims along with job searches, psychological and medical help, financial aid and advice and guidance in all spheres are also provided. The students are regularly taken to hospitals to visit patients and on trips and picnics to introduce some fun element into the studies.

"After one of my colleagues persuaded me to attend the classes, Alhamdulillah, I embraced Islam after two months," says 26-year-old Fatima Evangelista, from Philippines. "Living in the UAE, we have few opportunities to learn about Islam due to the language barrier and I was lucky to find someone to teach me so well," she says.

An American citizen, Hamida came to Dubai a year and a half ago from New York.

Having been a Da'wa worker most of her adult life, she picked up here what she had left off in America. "In New York, I taught Muslim youth and women, lectured in universities and schools and did round table conferences for Muslim rights in hospitals and media.

"Some of my most pleasurable years were when I was teaching a group of youngsters every night for two hours for five years, and I practically watched them grow up," she recounts.

"If a single person can do so much, imagine how much more a proper organisation can achieve," she said. "I believe there is not enough being done about teaching people and making them aware of true Islam here and I hope that this changes in the near future."