January 10th, 2015

Kids to Kids

Posted by iqra on Jan 10, 2015 in Featured Article | 1 comment

“BUT THERE’S NOTHING TO DO!”

Posted by iqra on Jan 10, 2015 in Featured Article | 0 comments

Written by Terri Arain

All children, no matter how creative, imaginative and self-sufficient, will at one time or another experience a case of boredom or restlessness.  Here are some suggestions to help you alleviate boredom in your little one on those snowy days.

1. Washing Windows
   Fill a spray bottle with water and ¼ cup white vinegar.  Give your child the bottle and cleaning cloth and let her help you wash the windows, bathroom counters, or kitchen appliances.  She will love to be your helper and work alongside you while you do some of your own cleaning. (My 10 year old loves this!)
2. Sharpen a Pencil
   Although you may not think that this activity would hold your child’s attention for long, you may be surprised!  Your preschooler will no doubt have a lot of fun sharpening pencils.  Give him a pencil sharpener, all of the pencils in the house, and a small plate or bowl to catch the shavings.
3. Write a Story
   Look in your local library for information on making books with children.  This was one of my favorite childhood activities growing up.  Stories turned into books will be treasured for years to come.  Write a story with your child about events in her life-a story in which she is the central character.  Begin the story by saying, for example, “Today is a special day for (child’s name) because she is going to _____________.”  Write the story down, including your child’s responses, and illustrate the story with drawings, photos, or pictures cut from magazines.  Your child can help you choose and glue the pictures.
4. Indoor Tent
   Every child loves camping inside the house!  My children have spent hours playing in the living room while I am cooking dinner.  Place a sheet or blanket over a table to make the indoor tent.  The more creative option is to stabilize the four corners of a sheet on different objects in a room such as couches, chairs, and tables. Place books on the corners or simply tuck them in the creases of the couch.  Put a special snack inside and give your child a flashlight.  If you like, furnish the tent with pillows and a blanket, and let them camp out all morning while you are making the pancakes!
5. Living Room Picnic
   Brighten the coldest days by having an indoor picnic.  Spread a tablecloth on the floor of your living room and use outdoor dishes or paper plates.  Don’t forget your sunglasses!
6. I Love You Because…
   Ask your child, “Why do you love Daddy?” Write her responses on a sheet of plain or construction paper, and have your child decorate it with crayons or markers.  Place the “love note” as a surprise in Dad’s lunch the next day.  You can vary the questions you ask your child, such as, “What’s the funniest thing Daddy ever did?” Or do this for friends or grandparents and other relatives.  Some of the answers you get may be priceless!
7. Play With Boxes
   Your child can put boxes of all sizes to good use.  My kids have made trains and forts for themselves and their stuffed animals.  My 8 year-old created a claw machine and a basketball game where you can earn homemade tickets to win a prize. They have built dollhouses and cars.  You can be sure she will think of something new every time she plays with these boxes.
8. Fruit Kebabs
   Have your child create fruit kebabs by putting pieces of fruit onto small wooden skewers, wooden Popsicle sticks, and plastic coffee stirrers.  As your child works, talk to him about the different types of fruit, their colors, smells, and tastes.  Serve kebabs for dessert or a tasty snack.
9. Fabric Fun
   Call me a hoarder but I love fabric!  I have a garbage bag of stained clothes that were not suitable for goodwill but I couldn’t bring myself to throw them in the landfill either.  Give your children a pair of scissors and a needle and thread.  Ask them to cut squares of fabric, all the same size if possible, out of the collection of shirts that you have spread out on the floor.  Some may have cute patterns or appliqués that would make for really interesting squares.  When they are finished cutting, have them sew the squares together the best that they can.  If your children are older, you may be able to keep this as an ongoing project and make a blanket.  If your children are younger then maybe frame what they have cut and haphazardly sewn together. Artwork is artwork!
10. Snow Graffiti
    Give in and venture outside!  Give the kids spray bottles full of water that’s tinted with food coloring to decorate the white canvas in your backyard.

Dr. Maher Hathout (1936-2015)

Posted by iqra on Jan 10, 2015 in Featured Article | 0 comments

 IQRA’ International Educational Foundation mourns the loss of one of the pioneer organizers of American’s Muslim community, Dr. Maher Hathout, who succumbed to liver cancer on January 2, 2015 at the age of 79.

Born in Egypt in 1936, Dr. Hathout moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s. He began volunteering at the Islamic Center of Southern California, became its chairman and spokesperson. He went on to work with the center’s founders on several initiatives, including the Islamic Information Service, “The Minaret” magazine and the New Horizon full-time Islamic school system. He also co-founded the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), the Religious Coalition Against War in the Middle East and Claremont Lincoln University. He was a charter member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, the western partner of the Council on Foreign Relations and served as Chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California.

Dr. Hathout was the first Muslim invited to give the invocation at the Democratic National Convention in 2000. He received several awards over the course of his life, including the George Regas Courageous Peacemaker Award, the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California’s Lifetime Service Award, the South Coast Interfaith Council Award and the Los Angeles County John Allen Buggs Award for excellence in human relations.

Dr. Hathout was a heavily involved in interfaith activities and he worked with many organizations and individuals to promote causes for peace and justice and he served on the board of directors of the Interfaith Alliance.

Dr. Maher Hathout is survived by his wife, Dr. Ragaa Hathout, two sons and several grandchildren.