Waad Academy

Waad Academy just opened its doors this past fall to welcome students.  I recently had the chance to tour this impressive state of the art facility located in the Obhur area of the city.  

This new school offers a brand new concept in education here in Jeddah, focusing on turning out well-rounded individuals by feeding the mind, heart and body.  So in addition to academic achievement, Waad’s philosophy incorporates spiritual and physical well-being as well. 

This academy has succeeded in creating a nurturing learning environment, using modern technology, creative designs, and delicious colors which sets it apart from other local schools.  

The main building houses the administrative team, the beautiful and spacious auditorium which accommodates 1000, and the cheerful lunchroom. 

Shooting off from the main building are brilliantly designed wings which provide separate boys and girls campuses, which will eventually serve students from KG2 through Grade 8.  

There is also a beautiful modern library – which is "oh-so-much-more" than just a library.  

One unique and creative feature of the school are its mega slides, which certainly help to make learning more fun at the academy.  

The school's sporting and recreation facilities are extraordinary, including themed outdoor play areas, gymnasiums offering an assortment of indoor activities and sports, basketball and tennis courts, plus a soccer field, running tracks, swimming pool, and a rock climbing wall.

A host of extracurricular activities and a wide variety of after-school programs are also available to students.  There is even a wonderful nursery on site for the children of teachers and administrators.

Waad Academy encourages the involvement of parents in the child’s education and progress and also invites the entire community to participate in planned social and sporting events.    

The attention to detail makes it obvious that years of thought and planning went into the making of this institution.   The future of education in Saudi Arabia is here and now at Waad Academy. 

To learn more about Waad Academy, CLICK HERE.  

Calling All Students! Education Fair (IECHE) in Riyadh April 15-18

In mid-April, representatives from nearly 500 institutions of higher learning from around the world will converge in Riyadh for the annual International Exhibition & Conference on Higher Education  (IECHE).  

Almost 40 countries will promote their schools and disseminate useful information in the hopes of attracting Saudi students to their campuses.  

The exhibition is extremely well organized and quite impressive to behold.   More than 50 schools from Saudi Arabia are represented at the event as well.   

The four day conference will feature a large variety of workshops and speakers, covering all areas related to attaining advanced degrees, scholarship information, fields of study, requirements, etc., as well as having staff on hand to answer questions and solve issues.  

There is news coverage of the event and everyone is welcome to attend.  In addition to all kinds of available information, there are also goody bags and freebies for attendees.

High school students and college students pursuing advanced degrees can benefit greatly from attending this event.

For gathering information about higher education schooling, you won’t want to miss this spectacular event to be held April 15-18, 2014, in Riyadh.  For further information about the 2014 IECHE conference, CLICK HERE.

 

A Salute to the Future of Saudi Arabia

Once in a while I am given the opportunity to experience some pretty amazing things here in Jeddah .  When I was invited to be a judge for the senior girls’ graduation projects at Dar Al Fikr School, I had no idea how captivated I would be or how much I would genuinely enjoy myself.  It was such an inspiring and gratifying experience for me to see these talented young women with such poise, passion, determination, direction, and creativity.  I went to the school on two separate days and saw five girls’ presentations each day.   Their drive and motivation was mind blowing.  

This year marked the 12th annual senior graduation projects at Dar Al Fikr.  Students began thinking of ideas for their projects long before their senior year began.  Progress was checked along the way with deadlines to be met, corrections made, and guidance offered.   Girls were given the choice of making their presentations in either English or Arabic, whichever they were most comfortable with.  Of course I was there on days when presentations were made in English.  

Each girl took to the stage individually and made her presentation, describing how and why she chose her project, as well as obstacles she faced in accomplishing her goals and giving thanks and credit to those who inspired, assisted, and guided her.   Some presentations included photos or other visual items such as their products, samples of their work, and Power Point presentations.  Many students even enlisted the assistance of their fellow classmates to help with demonstrations.

The projects themselves varied widely in their themes and focus.   “SOS - Save our Smiles” was the name of Alanoud’s senior project.  Spurred on by the thought that Saudis don’t seem to smile enough, Alanoud organized not one, not two, but THREE events which focused on getting people to smile.  Not only that, she also coordinated her efforts with Destination Jeddah magazine, writing several articles about her idea and advertising her events in the process.  

One young woman named Lillian created her own line of jewelry which reflected her Saudi heritage and culture.  She worked with a local jeweler every step of the process and the results were magnificent.    

Lama created a whole line of innovative Saudi souvenirs and called it "A Piece of the Kingdom."  Surprisingly, souvenirs are quite difficult to find here in Jeddah, so there is a genuine need for this type of industry.  One of my favorites of Lama’s line combined the red and white checked man’s scarf with the embroidered cap worn under the scarf to make beautiful zippered bags. 

Madawi, another artistic and talented senior, painstakingly glued tiny beads onto selected areas of large black and white photos of the architecture of Makkah, creating a brilliant effect of beauty.  

Another inventive girl named Loulwah organized and conducted a spelling bee for elementary students from several local schools.  Spelling bees are not generally commonplace here in Saudi Arabia.  

Ghada, a senior with a special interest in medicine, blew me away with her senior project:  a medical game she invented and called “I’m No Doctor.”  She created a game board, game questions and rules in the hopes of empowering people with general knowledge about their own health.  

Raghad’s love for Japanese culture and language paved her path for her graduation project.  She created a guidebook and dictionary for fellow lovers of Japanese culture.   

Perhaps the most thoughtful and far reaching effort was put forth by Rola, a senior who wanted to do something that would benefit the lives of orphans in Jeddah.  Rola undertook a charitable project to transform an entire wing, including bedrooms and living space, of a local orphanage into a comfortable homey place for the orphanage’s youngest inhabitants, ranging from newborn to five years old.  You can read about her project in this Saudi Gazette article. 

Senior girl Ayah combined her passions for photography and history and went down to Al Balad, the old historic part of Jeddah, taking photos of the area.  She photo shopped them and presented her charming and lovely photos in an artful display.  

I wish I could have attended all of the days there were presentations that week.  Other projects included things like gourmet cooking, cake design, furniture design, poetry, painting, a historical novel about the life of one girl's grandfather, and several more creative ideas.

The judges’ panel was made up of school administrators, business women, former Dar Al Fikr students, and others.   After each girl’s presentation, the judges were allowed to make comments and ask questions.  Being able to think on their feet by answering the judges' questions was also considered in each girl's score.

I would like to thank Mrs. Baker for inviting me to be a judge at this amazing event.  It was truly an honor.  I cannot say enough how greatly impressed I was by these young women.  They are the future of Saudi Arabia - and that future is looking pretty darn bright.

I Can Talk Arabic! Well, I'm learning ...

I first made an effort to start learning Arabic back when I was attending university, shortly after I met my future husband.   He and one of his friends taught me the very basics, like numbers, colors, and how to say very simple things like thank you, hello and goodbye.  When I moved to Saudi Arabia five years ago, I thought it would be imperative for me to learn more Arabic, but instead I found that people wanted to practice their English with me!  So learning the Arabic language hasn’t really been an urgent top priority for me.  At my age, learning a language is much more difficult than when I was younger.  Heck, after moving to KSA in my mid-50s, it took me three weeks just to master what to say in Arabic when I sneeze! 

Finally after five years in KSA, I took the plunge and enrolled in a conversational Arabic class.  I wanted to take a course that was fun, friendly, and informal - and I wanted to enroll in a class that would not put any pressure on me with testing or performance.  With the “I Can TalkArabic” course, I got just that!  I am about to complete my first session of 8 classes and am eagerly looking forward to more.   Not only have I thoroughly enjoyed each and every class and met some fantastic women in the process, but this “Women Only” class is the best deal in town!  

Founded by Hadeel Al-Abassi (hadeel.alabassi@gmail.com), a Saudi  writer, family counselor, and a life coach, she wanted to start an Arabic language institute in Jeddah that would focus on conversational skills instead of classical Arabic and grammar.   “I Can Talk Arabic” is perfect for the woman who wants to be able to carry on simple conversations in a variety of common everyday situations, such as shopping, traveling, banking, or at school.   “ICTA” has been in operation for one year now and conveniently offers morning or evening classes, from beginners to advanced.  Students can pay a discounted rate for the entire 8 class session up front or have the option of paying for each class separately. 

   

One of the things I like best about the "ICTA" classes is the relaxed atmosphere.  Classes are held in the pool house within the walls of Hadeel’s family villa.  Instead of a structured classroom environment, it feels more like a group of friends getting together each week and having a good time.   Women from many countries all over the world are enrolled in the class I am currently taking.  Students include business women, teachers, nurses, and housewives.  To top it all off, drinks and refreshments are also provided at each class too. 

What I also like about these classes is the opportunity to forge friendships with some real Saudi women.  Since I don't work, it's not always easy to meet other Saudi women outside my husband's family.  In my eyes, Hadeel and her crew represent the best of the typical Saudi woman - motivated, busy working mothers, well-educated and well-traveled, volunteering their time to share themselves, their culture and their beautiful language with other non-Saudi women who often feel intimidated by the different customs and culture.  I feel honored to have met them.

As this fledgling institute continues to attract more students, eventually they will outgrow their current facility, move to bigger digs, and have to raise their fees.  But for now, I'm happy with this learning experience just the way it is.

A new session of  "I Can Talk Arabic" classes will be starting soon.  

If you are interested in these WOMEN ONLY CLASSES, you can find out more information on the ICTA website.    

You can also join ICTA on Facebook.  

And here is an Arab News article about the "I Can Talk Arabic" program.  

TIME Magazine's Person of the Year Runner Up: Malala Yousafzai

This past year I have become a huge fan of a young teenage girl from the Swat Vally in Pakistan - Malala Yousafzai.  I have written about her previously on this blog.  Malala made worldwide headlines in October when an unsuccessful attempt was made on her life by the Taliban.  She has become a symbol of hope and inspiration not just for Pakistani women, but for all women around the world. 

This article in TIME magazine, which honors Malala in the number 2 spot for the magazine's Person of the Year annual award, shows what a remarkable young lady she is, even as she recuperates from her injuries in a London hospital.  Hers is a story of quiet strength and unwavering determination. 

Congratulations to Malala on her deserved recognition.  President Obama was named TIME's Person of the Year.  Other honorees include:  Apple CEO Tim Cook,; Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi; and particle physicist Fabiola Gianotti. 

A Schoolgirl's Odyssey - Witness - Al Jazeera English

Three weeks ago, 14-year-old Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai was systematically hunted down like an animal and left for dead with two bullets lodged in her head and neck as she was returning home on her school bus.  Two of her classmates were also wounded in the attack.  The huntsman, a member of the Taliban, is still at large, thought to be hiding out in Afghanistan.  The reason Malala became an assassination target of the Taliban is because she spoke out against them in her desire to receive an education.  The Taliban has notoriously forbidden the education of females.

Malala has become an inspirational symbol around the world for women's rights and education, since at the age of 11 she began writing an online blog for the BBC about the challenges, turmoil, and threats of trying to get an education despite the fear of grave danger to herself.  The attempt on her life has further galvanized her iconic status for oppressed girls and women everywhere.  As she recuperates in a British hospital, Malala's doctors report that she is now stable and making progress, although she still has a long recovery process ahead.

The documentary below was originally filmed in 2009 and aired in 2010 on Al-Jazeera and follows Malala and her family in their journey as they live in a land of upheaval, violence, and oppression.  It is quite moving and eye opening.  It saddens me that in this modern day and age, females continue to be the objects of suppression by men who want to control them.




To read more about Malala and the grave situation in Pakistan:

As teen recovers from Taliban hit, Pakistanis demand answers

Pakistan official: Boys involved in Malala attack

Shot Pakistan girl Malala Yousafzai 'symbol of courage'

 

 

Saudi Boys Allowed to Run Amok

I was shocked when I read an article in Arab News about high school boys here in Saudi Arabia who pull "pranks" every year when school is let out for the summer.  What really floored me was that the students who were interviewed apparently had no qualms about their full names being published in the newspaper in an article which confirms their participation in destructive and illegal activities.  It was as if they felt like their disgusting behavior was normal and that they were proud of coming up with a variety of ways to damage or ruin teachers' vehicles or to destroy school textbooks. 

Here are some excerpts from the article:

“My friends and I usually shred our school books into small pieces to celebrate the ending of the school year and finishing a certain subject.  This is a way to express the end of having to lock ourselves in our rooms to study and stress over school subjects.”
Mohammed Omar, a high school student at a private school in Jeddah

“We pour sugar in the car’s tank because this would cause the teacher to change the whole engine of the car or even damage its whole operating system.  We sometimes throw eggs on the car so it would damage the paint and make a hole on it. Another way is to pour vinegar on the glass and wait for 10 minutes and then throw rocks on it and it would completely break.”
Tariq Jihad, a high school student at a private school in Jeddah

And a quote from a public school supervisor had such a defeatist attitude that this behavior was apparently expected and impossible to stop, I just couldn't believe what I was reading:

“We expect the chaos and we prepare for it around this time of the year because we have been dealing with it for a really long time now and we know this will never change.  We tried telling the students many times that the only people who suffer are the cleaners because they have to pick up the pieces of paper that are scattered around the school yard.”
Khalid Al-Jehani, public school supervisor

Like everywhere, teachers in Saudi Arabia are undervalued and overworked. Knowing that some teachers are also being disrespected and abused by their students makes matters much worse. What these juvenile delinquents are being allowed to do should not be expected or tolerated as normal behavior that cannot be prevented.  The school system and the police force are enabling and condoning these thugs to continue to commit these crimes year after year without consequences.   WTF? 

I want to know what the parents of these hoodlums think about their sons' actions and confessions to these crimes. This is not typical "boys will be boys" behavior.  Where is the discipline? Why aren't the parents of these children/thugs teaching them to respect teachers and their property?

I find this situation to be deeply disturbing.  If Saudi Arabia doesn't wake up and smell the coffee, this new generation is headed for real trouble.

To read the Arab News article in its entirety, CLICK HERE. 

It's Not "Lady-Like!"

A
n investigation is underway regarding a shocking and controversial sporting competition that was held recently here in Jeddah. Shocking? Yes - because the event was for females (for shame!) and the event organizers failed to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Education. Which begs the question: Are male sporting events subject to the same restrictions? Somehow I doubt it. Female sports here in Saudi Arabia are practically non-existent because girls’ athletics are frowned upon by religious clerics and many old-fashioned Saudi men as being “unlady-like,” among other ridiculous reasons.

The illegal and contentious sporting event – thought to be the first of its kind in the Kingdom - was held on December 8th at Effat University and included competition in such unlady-like sports such as swimming, basketball, and badminton for some 200 young high school women representing six different Jeddah girls’ schools.

In the aftermath of the tournament, a member of the Board of Directors of one of the participating schools claims they had received more than 60 “anonymous” complaints about girls participating in sports.

All this commotion comes at the heels of another report out of Iran where a Muslim cleric condemned women’s sports and forbade Iranian females from participating in the Asian Games. He was quoted as saying that women’s sports are a product of the West’s “dirty” culture and should be shunned. I want to know, exactly what is “dirty” about women’s sports?

This is 2010, almost 2011. It is common knowledge in this day and age that regular exercise promotes good health, weight control, and a sense of well-being. Yet for the girls and women of the kingdom, these facts don’t matter and aren’t considered important.

Last year I wrote about how the government cracked down on women’s gyms across Saudi Arabia, closing down countless women’s facilities if they were not properly licensed and if they were not affiliated with a hospital, while there are no such restrictions placed on men’s gyms. The closing of these facilities drove up membership costs and made it impossible for many Saudi women to be able to afford going to a gym. And it’s already hard enough for women to try to exercise in this country as it is. Women here are forbidden from swimming (well they can, if they are fully covered), riding bicycles (too provocative as it reveals the female's behind), or playing sports in public. Saudi Arabia has been long criticized for denying Saudi women from particpating in the Olympics and other sporting events.

Physical Education classes in girls’ schools are a very low priority. You won’t believe some of the ludicrous reasons given for why girls shouldn’t be allowed to participate in sports or exercise in school: The female hymen might break during exercise so the girl wouldn’t be considered a virgin anymore. “Good girls” would never disrobe outside their own home, not even to change into gym clothes at school. If girls did disrobe in front of other girls at school, they might get turned on and have nasty thoughts that they may want to act upon. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried!

All this craziness aside, women’s obesity is becoming a major health crisis here in Saudi Arabia, evident in the dramatic increases in diabetes, hypertension, depression, and other weight-related health issues. For the most part, women here lead a very sedentary lifestyle – many don’t even do any physical household chores because they have maids.

This antiquated mindset of restricting women from exercise and sports places Saudi Arabia way behind the times in promoting women’s health and well-being.

Zaytuna College

In late August of this year, the first Muslim four-year liberal arts college in the United States opened its doors to students in rented classroom space at a Baptist seminary. Zaytuna College is not yet accredited and building a physical campus will not even be considered for another five years, but the inaugural class made up of only fifteen students is hopeful and convinced that they have made the right decision to attend school there. Berkeley, California, is the home base of the college and the Q'uran is the main school textbook. Students are required to have a working knowledge of Arabic - the equivalent of one year's study of university level Arabic. Their admissions policy states that non-Muslim students and faculty are also welcome at the school. ZC envisions its enrollment to grow to 2000 in the next ten years.

"Zaytuna College is committed to demonstrating, through practice, teaching, and the free exchange of ideas, Islam’s critical role in the modern world," states their website. ZC is offering two majors in their Bachelor's Program: Islamic Law and Theology, and Arabic Language.

The Arabic word "zaytuna" means "olives." The olive branch has long been considered a symbol of peace and the olive tree is a symbol of longevity. The tree and its many products are a lifeblood of the Middle East region. It is also revered in verses from the holy books of the three Abrahamic faiths - Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

All fifteen inaugural students are U S citizens from across the country. Their heritages are Black, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Caucasian. They all have excellent academic backgrounds, impressive community service records, and are of high morals and character with a desire to make a difference in the world.

One of Zaytuna's founders, the charismatic Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, is considered an Islamic rock star of sorts among his followers. Yusuf is US born and bred, converting to Islam at the age of 17 and studying with prominent Islamic scholars for more than ten years in Saudi Arabia, parts of Africa, and the U.A.E. Very shortly after 9/11 happened, he was personally consulted by President Bush for advice. Yusuf is regarded as very moderate and is highly critical of Islamic radical terrorists and preaches for a return to true Islam - "stripped of violence, intolerance and hatred." The Sheikh has a large following around the world and often leads groups of religious pilgrims on organized tours through the Sacred Caravan to Islam's holy sites in Saudi Arabia, offering lectures and and classes in the process. Earlier this year I had the pleasure of spending a delightful evening here in Jeddah with the women from one of these Omra groups led by Yusuf.

Yusuf was famously quoted in The Guardian (newspaper of the U.K) as saying, "Many people in the west do not realise how oppressive some Muslim states are - both for men and for women. This is a cultural issue, not an Islamic one. I would rather live as a Muslim in the west than in most of the Muslim countries, because I think the way Muslims are allowed to live in the west is closer to the Muslim way. A lot of Muslim immigrants feel the same way, which is why they are here."

Regarding the location of the proposed building of the Islamic center near Ground Zero, Yusuf wrote an opinion piece for the Christian Science Monitor in which he asked, "How can you say ‘How dare they?’ when the American Muslims building the mosque are fighting the fanaticism and xenophobia of those who flew the planes into the twin towers?”

To read more about Zaytuna College and how its founders hope to change the negative image many Americans have now about Islam, you can listen to and/or read a story NPR did about it last month.