Islamic Rotating Calendar

Learning Objective

- To learn and be more mindful of the Islamic months throughout the year.

- To be able to clearly see at a glance when particular Islamic months will fall in the coming year.

Divide and mark up a paper plate or a piece of card into 12 sections. Label each section with the months of the Gregorian calendar. Cut a smaller circle from either a second paper plate or a piece of card and divide into 12 parts. Label the sections with the Islamic months. Assemble both circles together using a paper fastener. Match up the two circles so that the months line up correctly. 

Use the calendar to discuss what months particular events will fall in e.g Ramadhan/Hajj/Family birthdays.

Craft inspired by The Muslimah Guide

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Prophet Muhammad (SAW) eBook

Download eBook

The Prophet Muhammad eBook brings together the complete archive of blog activities that have helped little ones learn about and build a relationship with our greatest role model, the Holy Prophet (SAW).

The book is divided into four sections with crafts and activity ideas to help build a basic knowledge base about the Holy Prophet and allow children to understand and practice what it means to live in his footsteps. 

1. The life of the Prophet
2. The way of the Prophet
3. Follow the Prophet 
4. Celebrate the Prophet

The Prophet Muhammad eBook will download as one handy PDF document, allowing you to

·        Read the book on screen and access online links directly.

·        Save it on your computer

·        Print the entire contents as a booklet

·        Print just one activity at a time. 

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Let Your Goodness Shine

Learning Objective:

- To understand how living like Imam Husayn shows in having beautiful manners that shine brightly to everyone around us. 

The names Hassan and Husayn come from the word hasana which means to be beautiful, to be good. Allah sent us Imams as examples to help us in our special mission on Earth; to beautify ourselves and everything around us by filling the world with good in everything we say and do. 

By going to mosque and listening to lectures, we learn about the Qur’an and Ahlulbayt. We are reminded of what we believe in, and how we should behave everyday. Living like Imam Husayn shows in having beautiful manners that shine brightly to everyone around us. When Imam Mahdi (atf) reappears, he will choose helpers who are shining brightest!

Activity: Glow Stick Flag

1. Hold up a dull, unactivated glow stick. Talk about what things we can say and do to make our goodness shine. 

2. As each child offers a suggestion, make a small break in the stick until eventually it glows all over.

3. Have the children fill out 3 ways they can make their manners shine bright.

4. Attach the glow sticks 
5. Switch off the lights and wave flags proudly while chanting 'Labbayk Ya Husayn'.

Activity: Operation Goodness

Activity: Be a Spark in the Dark

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Be A Spark In The Dark

Even after all the hardship, suffering and wrong done by Yazid, the goodness of Imam Zainul Abideen and Lady Zainab continued to shine. They showed people what beautiful manners they had in the way they spoke and behaved.

It doesn't matter how dark it becomes, you can still see the light. It doesn't matter how bad people around you may be or what mean words they may say, nothing and no one can stop you from being and doing good. Nothing can stop your goodness from shining bright!

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Wrinkled Heart

Learning Objective:
- Understand how different words feel differently when spoken. 
- Understand the effect of hurtful words as leaving a mark on the heart.
- Understand how to show goodness by using words correctly. 

Quran Verse:
Wa quloo lin naas husna
speak kindly to people 2:83

1. Have the children feel a piece of sandpaper and gently rub it over their arms. Talk about how it feels rough and hurts.
2. Have the children feel some cotton wool and talk about how it feels soft and gentle.
3. Discuss how different words feel differently when spoken. Some words feel rough and hurt the heart and others are soft and kind.
4. Use a large paper heart and ask for examples of 'sandpaper' words or phrases that make you feel sad. For each suggestion make a fold in the heart. Children can also do this on their own individual paper hearts or pass the heart around a circle and let each child have a turn.
5. Then talk about and have the children share 'cotton wool' words that make them feel good. For each response open back each fold.

Ask the children how the heart looks. Discuss the effects that hurtful behaviour can have on someone's heart as the wrinkles never come out completely.
Before we speak we must think and be smart. It's hard to fix a wrinkled heart.

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Operation Goodness

Activity: Fill the Earth with Good
How many beautiful acts of goodness can you do for everyone around you? Keep your mission instructions safely tucked inside the pouch and use it to remind yourself to fill the Earth with good in everything you say and do!

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Allah is Al-Muhyi

See also: Prophet Adam (as)

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Look For The Good

Qur'an Verse: Allahu khairul maakireen 8:30, Allah is the best of Planners!

When Lady Zainab was asked in Yazid’s court about Karbala, she said, ‘I saw nothing but beauty’. After everything she and her family had been through, Lady Zainab did not complain or question Allah and ask why. She knew that Allah loves us more than our own mothers, and if He has planned something for you, it is what is best for you.

Activity: 

Hold up a sheet of white paper marked with a small black dot in the centre. Ask the children what they see. Most will point out the black spot rather than the white sheet of paper. 

Often in our lives we tend to focus on the negative things, the black spot, the things we think are messing up everything. Look at the paper again, there's definitely more white clean space on the paper than there are marks. Just like there are many more good and positive things in our life than we may appreciate.

Lady Zainab and the Ahlulbayt always had Allah as their focus. Despite all the difficulties they went through, they knew and understood that everything Allah does is for a good reason. They could only see the good.

Learn to focus on the positive by taking time to notice your blessings and be grateful for them. Look for the good in every situation. Catch and stop yourself when you next feel like complaining about something which may not be the way you want it and instead look for the good.

Activity: Sweet Blessings

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Eid Adha Sheep Money Box

A fun symbolic Eid craft to prompt us to follow in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and to sacrifice what we love for the pleasure of Allah as the little ones allocate a share of pocket money each week towards helping others. 

Activity:
Cut a small slit in the middle of a wide mouthed plastic bottle. Cover with cotton wool balls using glue. Cut out a face from black card and attach it onto the bottle lid.

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Stoning the Pillars

One of the rituals of hajj is to stone the three pillars at Jamaraat. When we are hitting these, we are thinking which of our bad habits do we want to hit and get rid of to become closer to Allah. 

Recap the concept of taqwa, reminding how no one can make you do anything. They might ‘whisper’ and give you ideas to do something wrong, but when you have taqwa, you remember Allah and have the power to fight the whispers and not listen to them.

Go in search for pebbles and write the word Taqwa on one of the stones. Discuss scenarios when you've been tempted to do something wrong. Did you fight it away and hit it with the stone of Taqwa? Display your Taqwa pebble as a reminder of the strength of Prophet Ibrahim (as) as he fought away the whispers of Shaytan. We too by remembering Allah all the time can stop becoming distracted to do what is wrong. 

See also:
Lesson plan and activities on Taqwa

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Picking Stones at Mina

One of the rituals of hajj is to stone the three pillars at Jamaraat by first picking pebbles at a place called Mina. As we collect the stones, we think about our bad habits that we want to hit away and get rid of to become closer to Allah. 

Imagine if you had to collect a stone for every wrong action you've done, would you remember each one? In the same way we forget about some of the wrong actions we've done because we think they are small but it doesn't matter what the size of the wrong action is, Allah sees and knows everything. In Hajj we have the chance to think about our actions and ask Allah to forgive us.

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Forgiving Others

Just as we want Allah to forgive us and accept our apology when we do something wrong, we too have to forgive people when they have done something which may have annoyed or upset us.

Give each child an effervescent soluble vitamin tablet. Have them think about a time they felt angry or upset with someone. Talk about how forgiving Allah is and how He wants us to forgive others too. Drop the tablet into a glass of water. As you watch it dissolve, talk about letting go of the hurt and anger you feel. Encourage the children to keep the image in their minds for the next time they find it hard to forgive someone.

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Affirmations

Print by Simply fresh Designs

The station of Ibrahim reminds us of the great man who was chosen to be a Prophet. He is remembered by millions of Muslims who follow in his footsteps as they complete the Hajj. Allah tells us the story of Prophet Ibrahim in many places, describing and praising his good character and how he was His special friend. Prophet Ibrahim is admired by all the religions and an example of a person who had qualities that Allah loves and those that we too are trying to have.

One way that can help us develop a good character is by using positive affirmations. These are words that are absorbed by the mind when repeated often. Positive words remind you of what you believe in and can encourage you to behave in the right way when you are in a difficult or unsure situation.

For example if you want to teach your mind to become more grateful you can focus on and repeat the words 'I am thankful' for a few minutes everyday. If you are then faced with a situation when you feel like complaining, your mind will remind you that you are grateful and instead you will remember your blessings and say Alhamdulilah! Allah has given us an amazing mind and the power to control it! Make Dua to Allah to help you and choose a few qualities and positive words to repeat everyday.

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Make a Compass

UK Qibla direction found by using the compass to locate South East 

Quran Verse: 
Turn your face in the direction of the Holy Mosque 2:144

One of the ways we can find the Qibla direction is by using a compass. To use a compass, we need to know the direction of Makkah from where we live. For example, Makkah is approximately to the South East of the UK. Therefore, if we have a compass, we can find out which direction is South East, and pray in that direction.

Follow the Wiki How instructions for how to make a compass and use it to find the approximate Qibla direction.

1. Fill a large shallow bowl with water
2. Magnetize a needle by rubbing it in one direction across a magnet approximately 30 times.
3. Balance or thread the needle through some styrofoam or cork and place it on the water.
4. Watch it rotate as it locates north
5. Check accuracy with a compass to confirm direction.

Extension: 
Read the history about the Qibla direction from the Qur'an 2:142-150

Live it:
Having a Qibla reminds us that everything in our life must be focused and directed towards Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah tells us "make your direction the rushing to do good wherever you are". 2:148. Are we living a life in the right direction?

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Trust In Allah

Qur'an Verse: 

Tawwakkal 'allalah, Put your trust in Allah 

Allah loves those who put their trust in Him 3:159

Having trust in Allah means that whatever difficulties we are faced with, we do our best and rely on Allah to help us. Allah loves us seventy times more than our mothers and we know that He will always do what is good for us. When we put our trust in Allah and do the right thing, we do not need to worry or be afraid of anything. Our trust in Him makes us strong.

When you believe and put your trust in something you can not see, it is called having faith. 

- The people who got on the ark could not see any water or rain but they listened to Prophet Nuh and put their trust in Allah to save them from drowning. 

- Can not see wind, but have faith that if you held a kite outside it would fly!

- Can not see electricity, but have faith that when you turn on the switch, there will be light!

- We can not see Allah but we have faith that He is always there.

Lesson Introduction:

When Prophet Ibrahim was asked by Allah to leave his wife Hajra and little baby Ismail in the desert all on their own, they both put their trust in Allah. There was no food, water or even anyone else living there but their faith made them strong. They did not worry about what would happen because they knew that Allah will look after them.

Imam Husayn’s army knew that they were standing for the truth and doing what would make Allah happy. It didn’t matter how old or young they were, they were ansarAllah, helpers of Allah and Allah says in the Qur’an ‘If you help in the way of Allah, He will help you’ 47:7. They put their complete trust in Allah and knew that whatever difficulties they faced, Allah would help them. Their incredible trust in Allah gave them amazing strength! An army of only seventy two fighting against thousands, yet their faith in Allah made them strong!

Activity: Objects of Trust
Identify each item being trusted
Learning swimming (trust armbands wont drown)
Put money in bank (trust bank)
Food in freezer (trust freezer keeps food good)
Cross road zebra crossing (trust driver will stop)

Activity: Faith Makes You Strong

Take two empty plastic water bottles. Tightly cap one of them and leave the other one without the lid. Compare the uncapped bottle to a person without faith, and the capped bottle to a person who has faith. Try to crush both bottles by squeezing your hand around them. The uncapped bottle will crush, but the one with the cap will not.

When we have faith and put our trust in Allah, it gives us an invisible strength! We do not need to worry or be afraid of anything. Our trust in Him makes us strong.

If you're scared at night your mummy might tell you to recite some Surahs. If you put your trust in Allah knowing He will look after you, it will make you feel strong and safe and you will be able to sleep peacefully.

Watch visual experiment online 

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Eid Party Game

Activity: Build A Mosque

Prepare game cards for each child by drawing a mosque outline. Number each section 1-6.

Trace over the template and cut out the corresponding shapes onto different pieces of card. 

Have the children roll the dice in turn and place the appropriate piece onto their board.

The winner is the first child to build a mosque! 

An easier option would be to have the children colour in the appropriate section depending on the number of the dice roll. The first to colour in the complete picture is the winner. 

Download and print cards

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Be Like Ali (as)

Print Online at Teaching Young Muslims

Use the booklet by Teaching Young Muslims to read some simple stories from the life of Imam Ali (as) and discuss the beautiful character of Imam and what we can try to do to be like him.

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30 Quranic Dua Calendar Inserts

Download and Print Quranic Dua Inserts + Answers

Use as part of a 30 day Ramadhan calendar to learn about the Quran throughout the month.


Learning Objective:
- Introduce children to the Duas in the Qur'an
- Find and highlight the duas in the Qur'an
- Encourage memorisation of the duas to use in qunoot

Activity: 30 Quran Facts Calendar Inserts
Activity: 30 Surah Titles Calendar Inserts

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Envelope Prayer Book

Opened up book complete with inserts

Learning Objective:
- To make a compact folding dua book which includes insert reminders of who to pray for.
- To provide a portable prayer wall which can be used throughout the year.

This activity can be used as an extension after having explored the prayer hand and the teaspoon prayers.

Activity:
1. Line up and stick three envelopes together onto their flaps and cut off the last opening.
2. Label up each of the envelopes as separate prayer titles.
3. Turn over the open envelope book and label up another two prayer sections. These will not have an insert opening but can be written on. Decorate a front cover on the third space.
4. Place corresponding inserts into each opening.

The World, People to pray for and My Duas

Reverse labels: Praise, Thanks, Front cover.

Folded Envelope Book

The World
Attach a fold out world map. Place a list of countries to pray for and some dot stickers to mark them off inside the envelope.

People to pray for
- Write the names of family and friends onto a body outline.
- Stick a plaster onto a card as a reminder to pray for the sick

My Duas
- Make up a small booklet on which personal duas can be written
- Mark a chalkboard label with the word sorry as a reminder to ask Allah to wipe away what wrong we have done.

Praise
Write words that remind you of the Greatness of Allah and what He means to you.

Thanks
Draw/write the things you are grateful for

Insert filled folding prayer book

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Heal the World

Learning Objective:
Help children become aware that there are people all over the world who do not live as comfortably as we do. It is important to remember them in our prayers. 

Lay out a large world map on the floor. Give each child a plaster and have them plqce it onto a country of their choice, ideally have one on each continent. Hand out various objects to represent food, water, homes, family, sickness and education. Have each child place the item on the map by their plaster and make dua asking Allah to provide the people of the country for the need represented.

Activity: People of the World

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People Of The World

Learning Objective:- Help children to build a feeling of unity and become aware of the responsibly to pray for people all over the world.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us "The Muslim world is like one body. If the eye is in pain then the whole body is in pain and if the head is in pain then the whole body is in pain.” If we hear that any part of the world is suffering, then we too should feel this pain.

Activity: People of the World 
Learn about a country that may have been mentioned in the news. Identify it's flag and pray for its safety. Mark it on a map or make a display of the flags of countries prayed for. You could also use a scratch map to pray for and scratch off a different country every day. A complete list of 30 countries can be found below.

Activity: Praying For Peace use the table to choose what to pray for.

Ours is from Poundland!

Activity: 30 Countries To Pray For
Afghanistan
Algeria
Azerbaijan
Brazil
China
Congo
Egypt
Libya
Iraq
Iran
India
Lebanon
Mali
Mexico
Nigeria
Pakistan
Palestine
Russia
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United states
United kingdom
Yemen

Print List: 30 Countries To Pray For

Activity: Heal the World
Help children become aware that there are people all over the world who do not live as comfortably as we do. It is important to remember them in our prayers. 

See also: Prayer Wall

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30 Days Of Prayer

All the activities can be found in our book Islamic Values available to buy online.

Learning Objective: To spend the month of Ramadhan in conversation with Allah!

Decorate a wall display using Prayer as the theme for the 30 days of Ramadhan. Incorporate the activities below to fill the month with meaning, blessings and fun!

Themed Ramadhan Wall
Prayer Wall

Prayer Etiquette

Allah Is As Sami

Prayer Microphone

Dua Hands

Catch The Blessings

Prayer Sandwich

Teaspoon Prayers
Allah Is Al Ghafoor

Asking For Forgiveness

Praise Allah

Praying for Others

Prayer Wheel

Prayer Dice

Dua Board Game

Dua Chatterbox

Prayer Hand

My Dua Book

People Close To Me

Heal The World

Praying For Peace

People Of The World

Prayer Jar

Envelope Prayer Book

Ramadhan Calendar Inserts

Learning about Quranic Duas

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Dear God

Learning Objective:
Encourage talking to Allah by preparing some conversation prompts.

These can be used as part of the prayer wall envelopes, with the child choosing one daily to write on a postcard. 

Print 30 Dear God Prayer Prompts

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Prayer Wall

Ramadhan Prayer Wall

Learning Objective:
Create a space to encourage the child to spend time in conversation with Allah daily. The prayer wall contains different envelopes with things to learn, duas to pray for and questions to answer.

Activity: Design a prayer wall

Label and decorate a set of envelopes with different prayer headings.
Select the number and envelope categories according to the child it is intended for.
Place related activity inserts into each one.

Envelope Headings and Inserts

1. Praise Allah: Print the Asmaul Husna Alphabet Rhymes. Cut out each rhyme and insert into the envelope. Pick and read one everyday, using the special quality to praise Allah.

2. Thank Allah: Talk about what you are grateful for today
30 Gratitude Prompts

3. Sorry: Think about your day. Is there anything that you want to say sorry for?
These ‘Thank you, Sorry, Please’ cards can also be used to stick onto the wall.

4. Family: Write up a list of family and friends. Cut the names into strips or use lolly sticks and place inside the envelope. Pick one everyday and pray for the person on it.

5. The World: Print a list of 30 countries. Cut each one and place into the envelope. Pick one everyday and match the country of the day onto the world map. Use the praying for peace chart to make Dua for the people of that country.

6. Qunoot Duas: Print the Quranic Dua Calendar Inserts. Cut each one and place into the envelope. Look for and highlight the dua in your Qur'an. Younger children can use the 30 day Quran Calendar to read and learn a new verse.

7. Dear God: Print the sentence prompts and cut each into strips. Pick one each day to start a conversation with Allah.

8. Be still: Use a timer to sit in silence. Listen to and focus on your breath.

Activity: Prayer Wall Worksheet
Print the accompanying worksheet to collect together the envelope inserts and answer any questions on them. Older children may be able to complete one worksheet per day as part of a monthly project and collect them together in a scrapbook.

Resources: To explore the concept further, use the 30 Days of Prayer activities alongside.

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The ABC of Asmaul Husna

Download and Print Sheet

Learning Objective:
- Learn the meaning of the Asmaul Husna through simple rhymes
- To help use the Names of Allah to praise Him when we make dua.

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Allah is As Sami'

Learning Objective: 
- To learn the Ism Allah is As-Sami', the One who hears everything
- Understand how we can call Allah by making Dua

Quran Verse:
رَبِّي لَسَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ
14:39 My Lord indeed hears the prayer

Activity: Headband Ears
To provide a visual association while discussing As-Sami', have the child wear a headband with paper cut ears to the sides.

Activity: Rhyme to the tune of Freres Jacques:
As Sami' x2
Allah can hear us x2
Even if we whisper x2
He can hear us x2

Activity: Blindfold game 
Blindfolded the child as they try to identify various sounds like crumpling paper, pouring water, scissors, footsteps. Explain how Allah hears you everytime you talk to him. He knows it's your voice and He even understands what you're saying!
There are some sounds that animals, like dogs, can hear that we can't. And there are some creatures like the fly, who can't hear at all! Allah has made everyone's ability to hear different, but He is As-Sami' and His hearing is the best!

Activity: Paper Cup Phones
Children will be fascinated to be able to hear each other even with a closed door between them! Ensure the string is pulled tight between the cups for the sound to travel through better.

We can use a phone to talk to people when we can't see them. We call people to tell them about our day, ask them for help or maybe to thank them. Talking to people helps you feel close to them. Allah wants us to call Him too and talk to Him about everything. 

Allah is As-Sami', you don't need a telephone to talk to Him! You can talk to Him at anytime and tell Him whatever you want! He can always hear you!

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Catch the Blessings

Learning Objective:
Make children aware of the posture of our hands when we are making Dua.

Activity: Game
Have the children sit in a circle and tell them you are going to throw a ball at them to catch. Once the ball has been caught, mention how to catch the ball: they had to get their hands cupped in position!
When we pray to Allah and ask Him for something, we must face open the palms of our hands and position them ready to catch Allah's blessings as they fall!

Activity: Dua Hands
Fold a piece of paper in half and drawing around the child's left hand, with the smallest finger resting along the folded edge.
Cut out the hand leaving the fold intact.
Have the children write a prayer inside the open hands.

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Dua Board Game

Print Game Board

Learning Objective:
Help children become familiar with the different things they can talk to Allah about and ask for. 

Print the Dua board game.Throw a dice twice, once for the column and once for the row.Pray for the coordinate label it lands on.Cover with a counter and continue.

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30 Days With The Qur'an

All the activities can be found in our book Islamic Values available to buy online.

Learning Objective: To spend the month of Ramadhan with the Qur'an!

Decorate a wall display using the Qur'an as the theme for the 30 days of Ramadhan. Incorporate the activities below to fill the month with meaning, blessings and fun!

Themed Ramadhan Wall

Ramadhan Qur'an Wall
Kufic Wall Art

Contents of the Qur'an
Daily Qur’an Calendar
Islamic Values
Quranic Alphabet Series

Quran Calendar Inserts
Quran Memorisation

Surahs

Juz Amma Resources
Surah Naas
Surah Ikhlas
Surah Qadr
Surah Kawthar
Surah Lahab
Surah Fil
Surah Quraysh
Surah Ankaboot

Understanding the Qur'an

A Holy Book
Power Of The Qur’an

A Complete Set Of Instructions

Our Creator Knows Best
A Recipe for Success
Soak Your Heart with the Quran

Quran Quiz Bingo

Q.U.R.A.N Bookmark

Animals in the Qur'an

Animal Handprint Book

Lesson from Animals in the Qur'an

Food in the Qur'an
Eat what is Good

Fruit In The Quran

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