Redefining the roots of learning

How does one chronicle the life of a tree germinating from a seed? The sprouting, the tiny light-green hints of a baby stem, or the flimsy shoot. Even as it reaches full height, does the story of the tree end? It’s ever continuing and yet complete at every stage.

Such is the story of Barakah Tales, founded by Hyderabad-based educator Ruhina Hayat. A unique programme designed to foster early Islamic learning for children between the ages of three and six. Ruhina’s focus is on those first roots; when children are beginning to form an understanding of the world around them.

With over 15 years’ experience in her career, she holds an MBA from Osmania University, has completed the Digital Marketing & Analytics programme from Indian School of Business (ISB), is certified by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and Rumi Montessori, Malaysia in ‘3-6 Islami Montessori Theory Course.’

That’s not all. She’s an author, illustrator, a single mother, a programme developer for toddlers, and, if all goes well, is on a path to develop a pedagogy integrating Islamic learning with Maria Montessori’s ideology akin to how it’s being developed at Malaysia’s Rumi Montessori.

Humbly sharing her story with openness and warmth, she is unashamed about her struggles with life and faith, and keeps coming back to what grounds her.

Her faith and her daughter. “I just wanted her to feel connected to Allah. I knew, she was looking at me to learn,” she laughs.

“Play is how children learn. I try to position God as a best friend anyone can have,” she explains about Barakah Tales not following the conventional model of sitting children down and teaching them material. “I don’t want them to just know a Surah or a concept by rote. I want them to connect with it on their level.”

For the programme, Ruhina has designed colourful learning tools for children, such as story kits, journals, and activities to make learning engaging for young hearts. Spread across a vast space in Banjara Hills, there’s an Arabic room, an Emotions Corner, a Crafts Room, Indoor Play Area and Gym, and a Mini Library; it’s a haven for young kids; workshops are conducted monthly. The approach is through stories, movement, and emotional development.

At the core of her motivation is representation. “Kids need to see Muslims in different spaces as normal and human,” she believes.

That representation, she firmly believes, is not just the hijab. A child can encounter a Muslim woman who wears hijab, one who does not, a teacher, a parent or a professional, practicing or not, all while learning that there is no one visual template for what a Muslim looks like.

Human beings have free will.

This is central to her approach. “You show them the way,” she says. “But at the end of the day, it is their choice.”

For Barakah Tales, introducing faith does not mean removing choice. “Each one will answer to Allah for their choices,” Ruhina smiles.

That is what distinguishes Barakah Tales. Planting a seed and forcing a tree to grow in a particular direction does no good. Barakah Tales is concerned with what is planted early and the relationship from which something larger may eventually grow.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Asra Ghouse

Asra Ghouse[email protected]