Published: April 21, 2010
Houston, Texas (04-16-2010 – Pakistan Chronicle News): It was heartening to see for the first time more than 600 people including parents, students and well wishers of Darul Arqam School Southwest Houston, at Shahnai Restaurant, this past Friday, for the annual fundraiser of this significant community institution. Present on the occasion were various Imams and Scholars of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH); Dr. Aziz Siddiqi President ISGH; Aftab Silat Treasurer of ISGH; Fuad Cochinwala Director South Zone ISGH; Abdul Wahid Munshi Director Southwest Zone ISGH; Afaq Durrani Associate Director Spring Branch ISGH; Irfan Ibrahim Associate Director Synott Road Sugar Land Center ISGH; Ibrahim Badat Associate Director Adel Road North Zone ISGH; prominent members of the community; and administrative & teaching staff of the school.
The Master of Ceremony was Brother Isa Parada, who is well-known in the community and Latino Muslim Brother. The event was organized by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in close cooperation of the teachers and students, who helped to propagate the event. There were nearly 600 attendees.
The program commenced with the recitation of the Quran by Anisah Parada, followed by the translation by Zenith Ansari (both are fourth graders). Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students recited Surah Humazah. This was followed by a Kindergarten student, Ali Khan, who called the Adhan. Then a group kindergarteners, first and second graders, presented a delightful Nasheed on the topic of “Prayers”. Grades 3-8 girls recited the 99 Names of Allah in beautiful, harmonious voice.
After the children’s program, Dr. Mazahir Khan, Principal of Darul Arqam SW, described the past, the present, and talked about the future of the school. He explained where the needed operational funds are allocated. Majority of the funds would go towards costs of new textbooks, upgrades to the science and computer labs, and furnishing the newly established library.
Sumbul Shaikh and Aisha Zaman (8th graders) reminisced about their past 10 years at the SW school. They talked of their positive experience and the influence it has had on their lives. Sarah Siddiqui, a former 9th grade student at Darul Arqam SW, and currently 10th grader at Kempner High School, told about her assimilation into the public school system. She said that her time at Darul Arqam has helped shape her into the person, where wearing hijab is no problem for her at school.
Br. Rodwan Saleh, past President of ISGH spoke of the need and the future of Islamic schools in the USA. With his voice and charm, he wooed the crowd, and the school was able to not only reach, but exceed the $100K goal. The fundraising gala was a huge success and ended with splendid dinner of Shahnai Restaurant.
For more information on Darul Arqam Southwest, one can visit http://www.darularqamschools.org/ or call 281-495-4015.
News Categorization:
Community 
