Seeking knowledge is a lifelong journey and the Kawthar Learning Circle Youth Program is simply one station on your pathway to learning more about Allah (swt), the Holy Qur’an, Prophet Muhammad (saaw), the Ahlul Bayt (as), and Yourself
The Kawthar Learning Circle Youth Program is a global web-based educational platform designed for Muslimahs between 14 to 20 years old (exceptions do apply). The program is comprised of four learning streams: YTG 101; 201; 301 and 401.
Each track promotes the cultivation of knowledge in a culturally diverse environment of sisterhood, independent study, attending weekly or bi-weekly study groups, bi-monthly live webinars with Shaykh Shomali and spiritual challenges. Social gatherings and retreats with fellow Kawthar Learning Circle students are also part of the program.
Expectations:
- A personal and sincere desire to gain a deeper understanding of Allah (swt) and of Islam
- An openness to engage with one’s peers from different cultural backgrounds
- An interest to be intellectually challenged and to embark on a path of self-discovery
- A willingness to develop one’s creativity and to learn in a trusting social circle
- A sense of determination and commitment!!!
The Learning Environment
Mubahatha is a learning style that helps you to understand the material better; assists with communication; helps you to express yourself; to learn how to ask good questions and to respond properly and supports memorization.
The concept of social wilayah encourages believers to treat one another as belonging to one family. The basis of our relationships is built on respectful communications embodied with dignity and honor.
Istiqamah, meaning uprightness, steadfastness and perseverance is a cornerstone quality for any perfection. During the course of the year, many obstacles and challenges will confront the students which could prevent them from arriving at the end. This is why istiqamah is also a pillar for successful students.
Brief Descriptions of the YTG Tracks:
(Prerequisites – None)
YTG 101 is the introductory stream of the youth program whose lessons initiate with the study of three of the primary Arguments for the Existence of God.
This stream will focus on the Roots of Religion laying emphasis on Tawheed, Prophethood and Imamate to ensure that the students’ foundational knowledge of Islam is secure.
The stream is complemented with lessons on Self-Knowledge and activities that support the self-reflection process particularly as it relates to their worldview. YTG 101 will also touch on subjects related to Practical Spirituality and the Holy Qur’an. There will be 3 assessments over the course of the year as a means to support the learning process.
*Introductory Session begins week of August 15th, 2022
**Mubahatha Session begins week of September 5th, 2022
Prerequisites: YTG 101 (aka New Students 2021 - 2022)
YTG 201 will initiate with a review of the Arguments for the Existence of God, followed by their respective objections and replies to these arguments. The program will continue with a thematic tafir series on Knowing God. The course will continue with several sessions on Marriage and the Family. The Self-Development portion of the program will be a focus on the series entitled Defects of the Tongue. There will be two sessions on contemporary issues followed by the Femininity in the Qur’an lectures given by Sister Israa Safieddine or thematic reflections on Family in the Holy Qur’an. The akhlaq segment will be lessons on ascetism taken from Nahjul Balagha by Imam Ali (as)
Assessments for this course will be two exams and a year-end Intedhar group project.
*Introductory Session begins week of August 22nd, 2022
**Mubahatha Session begins week of September 5th, 2022
Prerequisites: YTG 201 (aka Returning Students 2021 - 2022)
YTG 301 will initiate with a brief review of the primary Arguments for the Existence of God and will include the introduction of a new Argument. The stream is complemented with eight lessons on Understanding God’s Mercy followed by several selections from the lecture series Islamic Theology or Knowing Human Beings. The akhlaq portion of the program will be a beautiful series entitled Indicators of Piety. YTG 301 will provide the students with an awareness of their responsibilities as they relate to their immediate communal environment which will form the basis of their Intedhar group project.
Additional assessments for this course will be two exams.
*Introductory Session begins week of August 22nd, 2022
**Mubahatha Session begins week of August 29th, 2022
Prerequisites: YTG 201 (aka Returning Students 2021 - 2022)
YTG 401 is an advanced program for those students who have demonstrated their eagerness to commit to the learning process through their proven track records in YTG 101 and 201; their regular attendance, active participation and preparedness within the Mubahatha sessions; and their above average grades. YTG 401 will initiate with a discussion on materialism and its impact on our understanding of The Self. There will be a review of The Self and its primary characteristics supplemented with lessons on The Intellect. Subsequently, there will be a brief discussion on colonialism and its effects upon Islamic education, which will be contrasted against the Islamic definition of Education and Training.
Students will engage in lessons on Arguments for the Existence of God from the viewpoint of the Siddiqeen. The course will include a session on the Holy Qur’an which has elements dedicated to Self-Development. Assessments for this course will be enriched mubahatha sessions and a year-end Intedhar group as it relates to society.
YTG Students may attend any of the core or supplementary sessions of YTG 101 - 301.
*Introductory Session begins week of August 15th, 2022
**Mubahatha Session begins week of August 22nd, 2022
The Youth Track Boys program is a mentorship program that provides Muslim male youths between the ages of 15 to 20 years old with a space where they feel a sense of belonging in a nurturing space with trustworthy mentors under the guidance of a godly teacher where they can be launched into their journey to reclaim their sense of God-given dignity and responsibility as Muslim men.
In the youth track boys program we help offer them the right start they need as young men to grow towards becoming strong, pious, balanced and dependable Muslim men that can adhere to the nine core values of the Kawthar Learning Circle.
Specifically, graduates from the youth track boys must have gained a deep conviction that the most important way to actualize their humanity and their manhood is through the sincere and constant pursuit and practice of godly knowledge under authentic teachers and with truthful friends.
During the KLC YTB program students have the opportunity to:
- Think, express and discuss with reliable mentors and supportive friends any of their burning questions and real-life challenges in their journey of faith
- Have a better mastery over their time, habits and goals
- Have a deeper understanding of themselves, their Creator and their destination
- Do hands-on projects with a team of passionate mentors and supportive friends
The teachings used to shed light and inform the YTB program are based on the works of Sh. Mohammad Ali Shomali including supporting material from the following books:
- Self-Knowledge by Sh. Mohammad Ali Shomali
- Self-Development by Sh. Mohammad Ali Shomali
- Lessons on Islamic Beliefs by Sh. Mohammad Ali Shomali
- Lessons on Islamic Morals by Sh. Mohammad Ali Shomali
- Understanding the Quran by Sh. Mohammad Ali Shomali
- Islamic Belief System by team of scholars under the supervision of Sh. Mohammad Ali Shomali
- Islamic Plan for Life by team of scholars under the supervision of Sh. Mohammad Ali Shomali
- Divine Justice by Sh. Murtada Mutahhari
Students that are younger than 18 years old, are able to continue with the YTB until they reach 18 years of age. Students that are 18 years old or more, can continue with the YTB until they reach 20 years of age if they choose.
The YTB program helps its students develop the realisation that they need to pursue and practise godly knowledge in a systematic and continuous way through their life without cessation. Specifically, the YTB team would consider themselves to have succeeded if they were able to prepare and support their students in engaging in the KLC IF program or any other reliable and structured learning platform including but not limited to full-time seminarial studies.
Enrollment Criteria:
- Shia Muslim male youths between the ages of 15 to 20 years old
- References from Scholar (asset)
- References from KLC student (asset)
- References from parents(asset)
