2025 Nov- OT – M -12 – Week 8 Class Essay Nov 2, 2025

The moment I arrived at class today, I was very late. It was the 8th week, and LG has been progressively pushing the class start time back, so by the time I arrived, I had lost some 30 minutes or so. No one else seemed to realize that the time had shifted either, strangely, so I didn’t feel extremely out of place. This morning was sunny, the fall air had a crispness to it that made the walk to the masjid pleasant, even in the rush. By the time I entered the classroom, other students were presenting. Many looked just a little tired, maybe because of their early morning, and the vibe of the room was energy-calm but suppressed.

Soon after that, it was my turn to make a presentation. My topic had been the planets of the solar system and some of the spacecraft that have explored them. I had prepared so much information that in my enthusiasm to discuss as much as possible, I went overtime over the 10-minute limit but didn’t complete all that I had intended. As I reflected upon it, I realized that my pacing was pretty good-it was just that there was far too much material put together. I felt that I spoke rapidly to include information on the eight planets, the sun, and numerous satellites. For this reason, I now need to cut my presentation down to six minutes. I am also thinking of narrowing my topic toward a single subject or centerpoint since taking on the whole solar system is too hard to manage, not only for me but for my audience. This experience taught me that sometimes less is better, and focusing on one aspect allows for a deeper, clearer presentation.

Later on, we had a guest speaker come in and give a presentation about different kinds of Asabiyas. He explained that Asabiyas are groups of people working toward the same goal, helping one another, and standing up for each other. He gave concrete examples, such as political groups like Democrats and Republicans, showing how these groups function based on unity, shared goals, and collective effort. It was interesting to connect this idea to nomadic tribes, who show these qualities in their daily lives. Nomadic tribes always support each other, show strong will, and remain motivated in ways that would better their family and friends. When listening to the speaker, it really made me realize how important teamwork and unity are not just in historical societies but in today’s communities, including my own. I began thinking of ways that my peers, my family, and my neighbors rely on each other, how collaboration is essential even in small, day-to-day ways.

After some more practice and presentations, a Jewish visitor came into our classroom. He shared that his religion was not being maintained well and that he was excited to learn about Islam and its culture. He asked where and how to start learning, which was a difficult question, but the answer given was simple and meaningful: guidance always comes from Allah. This moment in class made me realize how important it is to seek knowledge with sincerity and an open heart. It also reminded me that learning isn’t just about accumulating facts, it’s about understanding principles, values, and the way they apply to daily life. I thought about how guidance from Allah is not only spiritual but can also be a source of personal direction, comfort, and clarity in challenging moments.

In the second half of class, we viewed various presentations on science fair topics such as algebra and parrots. Obviously, each student put effort into their work, but some of these presentations were too lifeless. Many students read directly off of their slides, frequently looking down, with little eye contact or engagement with the audience. The emotions and excitement behind their topics were often missing, which made even interesting subjects feel dull. LG, TJ, and the paren…
[7:08 PM, 11/2/2025] ”Ish”-Ismail Laher: Male R.B willow springs elementary school 11 years

Today was a really interesting day because we had a new visitor come to our class. He was one of our teacher’s b friends, and he came to talk to us about a few new and deep ideas. Even though it was his first time meeting us, he spoke in a way that caught everyone’s attention. He started by sharing a story about a man who was a teacher at a university that man found out he had six months to live, and this made him think deeply about the meaning of life and how we spend our time. It reminded us that life is short, and we should always use our time wisely and focus on what truly matters.

He also told us that having too much comfort and luxury can be bad for a person. he explained that a nomad, he said, is someone who moves from place to place and learns to live with harsh conditions. he gave an example that people who live in the mountains might make fun of City people because City Life is often full of comfort and ease, while Mountain life builds strength and endurance.

Then, he introduced a new word to us, “Asabiyyah”. He explained that asabiyyah means the bond that holds a group of people together, kind of like a shared feeling or loyalty within a community (or a sense of solidarity). Sometimes this can be a good thing, because when people work together and care for each other, they can achieve great things. but sometimes it also can be bad, because if people only care about their own group, it can cause arguments or separation from others. He gave an example comparing it to the two political sides, like the Republican and democrats. That helped us understand that groups have both strengths and weaknesses depending on how they treat others.

He also talks to us about the value of reading. He told us that reading is one of the best ways to learn about other people’s ideas and experiences. Every time we read, we are not just learning facts, we are seeing the world through someone else’s eyes. The most inspiring thing he said was that he himself was a businessman. He told us that even though he had a busy schedule and a lot of work to do, he still made time for reading every day. He said reading helped him clear his mind, gain ideas, and stay connected with knowledge and wisdom. That really stood out to me, because it showed that no matter how busy we are, we can always make time for learning. Reading helps us grow and knowledge and helps us apply what we’ve learned in our own lives.

After that, our class also talked about a visitor who came to learn about islam. some parents mentioned that he had asked a lot of questions, like where he should start and what Islam is really about. At first people didn’t know how to answer perfectly, but they told him he could begin anywhere, just start learning and open his heart to Allah. They told him that if he keeps searching sincerely, one day Allah may guide him to the truth. The visitor said that he was to be Jewish but something was off about his religion, so now he’s exploring Islam and trying to understand more about it. He asked questions like how often we pray and what the purpose of prayer is. The parents explained to him that prayer is our way to open up to Allah and remember him. our teacher even gave a simple example to help him understand. He said that finding the right religion is a bit like finding the right pair of shoes. If one doesn’t feel right, you might try another until you find the one that truly fits you.

Overall, the day felt very meaningful. We didn’t just learn about ideas or religion, we learned about life, purpose, and faith. The new speaker helped us see how important it is to live simply, stay curious, and never stop learning. and the visitors’ curiosity reminded us how beautiful it is to search for truth. It was a day full of learning, reflection, and inspiration