WHATSAPP GROUP INTRODUCTIONS

WhatsApp is a great tool for students to come together and build a community as online students. As the start of the class draws closer, it is important to take a minute to introduce ourselves in this WhatsApp group so we can get to know our classmate, break the ice and have a sense of togetherness.

In your intro please state:

1. Your name

2. Info about your background

3. Something unique about you

4. Why you decided to join Fawakih

After the introductions we have a “name meaning activity”. In this activity you are asked to share a brief note about your (given) name and its meaning (whether its an Arabic name or not). If you don't know the meaning of your name, this is your chance/motivation to find out!

SOME EXAMPLES

Salaam! My name is F. N., born and raised in Austin, Texas, and still reside there. My family is from Pakistan. My background in is higher education and chaplaincy. I completed my masters at Austin Seminary where I currently work full time in student affairs, while on the side pursuing a certificate in islamic chaplaincy from Hartford Seminary, where I came across this opportunity. Since completing my masters in May, I've been trying to find the best ways I can to help supplement with courses and intensives to help improve my background as a Muslim chaplain, and Arabic has always been one of those blindspots that I'm finally hoping to be able to move the needle on with this! Humbled and excited to be here.

Salam everyone, my name is S.H. I am a software/product management professional based in Southern California. I completed coursework for a bachelors in Islamic studies about 10 years ago at American Open University (in Northern VA), and spent a lot of time studying Arabic over the years - but always found it to be true - you don't use, you lose it. I have studied at dozens of institutes across the world and was the Head Teaching Assistant at California Islamic University, which I helped build with Sh Mustafa Umar. My goal with Fawakih is to shore up some of my weaknesses such that it stays with me insha'Allah.

Assalamu Alaikum everyone! My name is M.R and I grew up in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. My family is originally from India. I graduated with a BS from UW-Madison and am currently a Software Engineer in Austin, TX. I have always wanted to deepen my connection with Allah during my prayers and while I read the Quran. After taking a Sirah class with Lanturna in August, I was inspired to search for programs to improve my understanding of what I read in Arabic. I feel that there is no better place to start than here. I am definitely looking forward to starting out this journey with you all. May Allah make this a fruitful experience for all of us inshaAllah!

Assalaamu alaykum wrwb, my name is Y. and I’m a Database Administrator in DC. I am from Senegal and came to the US for studies 30 yrs ago. I have been leaving in Maryland ever since. I am married and a mother of 4. My goal at Fawakih is to better understand the Quran but also be able to communicate in Arabic. I went to Umrah 2 times but no Hajj yet but I would love to be able to understand more IA before then. I have seen a tremendous gain already from the few fawakih levels completed specially with my level of understanding when reading and listening to the Quran. I am excited to keep moving on this beautiful journey.

Assalamu alaikum! I’m also new to Fawakih. I’m really excited to get started and to meet you all. My name is E. I’m a writer, editor, and student. I’m currently doing my PhD with a focus on history and anthropology of science as well as linguistic anthropology of the Middle East. I also work as an editor and writer for an online world history course. I’m a mother of a 1.5 year old boy named H. I live in the Chicago suburbs, though I’m in Ann Arbor, MI at the moment staying with my family. I was born in and spent my childhood in Egypt, so I am a native Arabic speaker. However, my command of grammar is pretty limited, and so is my vocabulary when it comes to Qur’anic and academic Arabic. I would like to improve my understanding of classical Arabic. There are so many reasons for this subhanAllah. Firstly, for my ability to better understand the Qur’an and other Islamic sources. Secondly, so I can access scholarly literature in Arabic and hopefully advance through language study and understand Arabic linguistics. Thirdly, so I can reconnect with aspects of my heritage and culture that aren’t accessible to me because they’re in formal registers in which I lack proficiency. Very much looking forward to class. It may take a couple of weeks to catch up with everyone, but I am excited to learn.