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REPORT

Bab al-Ridha Institute

December 2018

www.babalridha.com

Bab al-Ridha

Intensive Short

Course 5

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Executive Summary - BRisc 5 was an intensive short course held in Qom and Mashhad between 17th December 2017

and 7th January 2018.

- The course consisted of 38 participants, mostly between the age of 18 and 25 years, coming

from 10 different cities located over 5 continents.

o 29 participants were first-timers.

o 9 participants were alumni returning for a tailor-made "Come Back" course.

- A packed timetable for the course was inclusive of the following:

o 60 hours of classes delivered by 25 selected English speaking Hawza students using

modern methodologies on fundamental topics including Theology (Aqaid), Ethics

(Akhlaq), Laws (Ahkaam), Quran and Skills, with the overall goal of strengthening the

participants' ideology and acquiring skills for an active yet balanced Islamic lifestyle.

o 8 mubahatha sessions (informal discussion circles) to discuss, debate and analyse the

class content.

o 13 educational field trips exploring museums, schools, youth groups as well as other

successful and experienced institutes to see the theory in practice.

o 6 visits to scholars and senior teachers for inspiration, practical advice and strengthening

the bond with the "people of knowledge".

o 11 trips to the Harams of Sayyida Ma'suma (A) and Imam Ridha (A) together with other

spiritual programs.

o 11 sports and leisure activities for increasing brotherhood and having lots of fun.

- A total of 23 male and 27 female mentors from the Hawza accompanied the participants in their

various endeavours.

- Overall, very positive and heart-warming feedback was received from the participants.

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Table of Contents

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Background and Objectives

The Bab al-Ridha Intensive Short Course (BRisc) is a 3-week Islamic education program organized by

students of the Hawza. It is a unique package designed to bring together youth who are thirsty for

knowledge and motivated for a life-changing experience.

The course aims to equip Muslim youth with essential

Islamic knowledge, whilst inculcating teamwork, a

balanced lifestyle, enthusiasm for community work

and practical life skills. It is also an excellent

opportunity for the ziarah of the holy shrines as well

as meeting senior scholars and like-minded fellow

Muslims.

No, we've been running this course since 2013. However, it's been growing and improving every year

with stronger content, further outreach and better facilities.

The course ran between 17th December

2017 and 7th January 2018 (21 days), in

the holy city of Qom, Iran. It was

conducted in a purpose-built youth

accommodation with dormitories,

classroom, sports and other facilities all

on-site. The participants also travelled to

Mashhad and Tehran to visit various sites

and take part in different activities.

Day 1: BRisc opening ceremony; where it all started.

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Participants

BRisc launched an exquisite website last year with all the necessary information about the course

together with photos and testimonials. Posters were also sent out to various communities 5 months

prior to the course and a promotional video of BRisc 5 was released a few weeks before the application

deadline. Recommendations from our teachers, mentors and alumni was also very effective in the

publicity.

Submitting an application form through our website is necessary to be able to join the course. At times,

applicants also have to go through an interview process in order for us to understand the needs and

levels of the participants better. Furthermore, the interview is useful to get to know their social

activities, since many applicants are involved in their local community youth bodies, teaching at the

madrasah, media and other pursuits.

The "Come Back" course for alumni was a semi-parallel course held at the same time as BRisc 5, around

50% of which consisted of specialised classes and specific activities. The rest of the classes, as well as

the majority of educational trips were merged with BRisc 5.

FACT SHEET

- 38 Participants (incl. 9 alumni)

- 17 Brothers + 21 Sisters

- Mostly between 18 and 25 yrs

- Coming from 10 different

cities across 5 continents

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Academic Program

The course aimed at opening the door to profound Islamic knowledge in important fields in order to

help participants acquire a correct Islamic worldview and have a balanced approach to daily life based

on Islamic teachings and principles.

The 7 subject areas that were taught are shown

in the diagram below. Each subject area had a

number of topics, examples of which are given in

the table below.

FACT SHEET

- 60 hours of class time

- 42 different topics categorised

under 7 major subject areas

- 25 teachers from the English

speaking Hawza students

40% at Masters level

7 female teachers

- A strong, balanced and well-

connected syllabus to impart

a holistic picture of Islam

Teachers would use various tools to ensure efficient

learning

Thirst for knowledge: A beautiful trait of our youths today

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Proportion of each class subject making up 60 hours of classes for BRisc 5

Class subjects Examples of class topics

Aqaid (theology) and ideology 'Tools of knowledge', 'Tawhid', 'Humanism', etc.

Akhlaq (ethics) 'Sins and its effects', 'Rights in Islam', 'Balanced life', etc.

Ahkam (practical laws) 'Introduction to Ijtihad and Marja'iyyiat', 'workshop on

daily practical laws'

Quran 'Building a relationship with the Quran', 'Pondering on the

Quran (tadabur)', etc.

Gender specific

Brothers: 'Gender in Islam, Youth issues, etc,.

Sisters: 'Women in Islam', 'Perfection of women in society',

'Hijab and modesty', etc.

Skills and workshops 'Leadership and project management', 'Friendship', 'Islamic

medicine', etc.

Basirah (vision) 'History of the world', 'Ancient Civilisations", etc.

Skills and

Workshop

21%

Aqaid and

Ideology

20%

Gender Specific

17%

Akhlaq

12%

Basirah

12%

Ahkam

11%

Quran

7%

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Various styles of engaging students

were used to ensure that the classes

were kept interactive. Some of the

classes were held in a workshop

format that would incorporate group

discussions as well as team-building

activities. Additionally, most of the

teachers used teaching resources

including some very well-designed

PowerPoint presentations to provide

efficiency in learning.

Approximately two to three times a week,

participants took part in evening

mubahatha sessions, which are informal

sittings in which tutors review class content

and allow students to ask questions, debate

and challenge the topic and thus strengthen

their overall understanding. Teachers were

also available after classes, often joining the

participants for lunch and dinner to allow

fruitful discussions.

Day 6: Students engrossed in a group discussion during the 'leadership

workshop'.

Day 10: An enlightening team-building activity:

Effective communication is essential for guiding others.

Mubahatha: A trademark of the hawza's efficient learning

methodology

Day 8: Mid-course feedback session

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Like every year, participants were split into groups, each of which was identified by the name of a

masjid. These groups were used for

various activities including the design of

a "youth project". At the end of the

course, each masjid presented their

project, and the winning team was

announced during the closing

ceremony. This activity reflected the

depth of the participants'

understanding of what they had learned

during the course, the experience they

had gained from educational trips as

well as the appreciation of working as

part of a team to deliver a practical

project.

Approximately 20 hours of classes were specific for alumni students, on topics such as 'Logical

Fallacies', 'The need for religion', 'Tafsir of certain ethical verses of the Quran', 'The history of the

Hawza', "Keys to a successful marriage' and many others. Come Back participants also had an extra

group project which included the design and recording of a small talk show. These projects were

recorded in a professional studio, the results of which may be released after the editing work is

complete.

Day 21: Youth project presentation by Masjid Dhil Qiblatayn

Teachers would often stay back for further discussions.

STATS

- 40 hours of PowerPoint

Presentation specifically

designed for BRisc

- Over 10 different team

building activities and learning

games

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Educational Trips

Participants had the opportunity to

visit various schools, successful Islamic

youth organisations, museums and

other interesting institutes as part of

the BRisc educational trips.

FACT SHEET

- 13 educational trips

- 1 day in Tehran

- 4 days in Mashhad

- Accompanied by a total of

23 brother mentors

27 sister mentors

(+1 fulltime sister mentor)

Day 16 (Tehran): A special visit to Press TV studios, including an informal session with PressTV presenter

Mrs. Marzieh Hashemi

Day 8: A manuscript expert revealing an old text at the famous

Ayatullah Mar'ashi Najafi Library

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Witnessing how the important concepts learned in class can be implement in today's society is an

excellent source of motivation, inspiration and an overall unforgettable experience.

Approximately 6 mentors (3 brothers and 3 sisters)

accompanied BRisc participants in each educational trip, as

well as during visits and sports & leisure activities. Mentors

are hawza students who dedicate some of their time to

share their experiences, assist students and generally make

the various events memorable and inspirational.

Day 15: A trip to the English bookstores

and an inspiring talk on the importance

of reading as well as what and how to

read

Day 20: An extraordinary effort by

the Tibyan Youth Organisation in

designing and building a state-of-

the art Islamic Theme park

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Visits to Scholars and Spiritual Programs

The shrines of Sayyidah Ma'suma in Qom as well

as Imam al-Ridha (s) in Mashhad are a unique

source of spirituality and play an important role in divine guidance. BRisc participants were blessed with

numerous visits to these shrines, as well as to the graves of many noble scholars. Additionally, uplifting

recitations of Dua Kumail and Ziarat al-Jamia al-Kabirah as well as attending Jum'ah prayers were all

part of the incredible spiritual program of BRisc.

FACT SHEET

- 11 spiritual programs that

included trips to the Harram

- 6 visits to scholars and senior

teachers

- Special one-to-one sessions with

renown akhlaq teachers

Longing to walk the path of the noble scholars...

The Jamkaran Mosque was walking distance from BRisc

accommodation

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The unique opportunity of meeting renown scholars and senior teachers was presented to the BRisc

participants in order for them to establish a connection with scholars and take inspiration from their

words.

Day 5: In the presence of Ayatullah Tahriri (may Allah protect him)

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Day2: Honoured to be invited to meet Ayatullah Jawadi Amuli (may Allah protect him) in his institute

Day 10: Enlightening discussion with Shaykh Shomali at his institute

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A senior teacher of the Hawza, who is an expert in various

Islamic fields including Akhlaq, joined the BRisc participants

on their journey to Mashhad, giving them an opportunity for

one-to-one sessions to ask their questions and get practical

tips on their various daily challenges.

Day 11: A truly emotional and inspiring few hours with Shaykh Saberi

BRisc organisers benefit from the guidance

of many senior scholars of the Hawza.

Day 17: Catching the train to the holy city of Mashhad

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Sports and Leisure

Balance is key for fruitful growth and so BRisc also had an

exciting sports and leisure program, including a football

tournament, a baking competition, paintballing, waterpark,

outdoor BBQ and so much more… These were an excellent

opportunity to refresh the body, boost the spirit and increase

brotherhood between the participants themselves as well as

with mentors and teachers.

FACT SHEET

- 11 sports and leisure activities

- Gender-segregated halal fun

Day 6: The official BRisc football tournament, with participants, mentors and teachers displaying amazing skills... of

brotherhood and communication!

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Final words from BRisc participants

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Final day of the course: A lot of laughter… ...and tears…

... as well as hugs…

Unforgettable hug!

...and group photos, for a life-time memory!

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