Part IV: Ideas on a variety of Activities that can be done by Study Group members
[Note: You may pick and choose any of the following activities, according to the schedules, circumstances, and interests of your Study Group members. Much more can be added to this list. A variety and rotation in the types of activities is essential in order to maintain the interest of members and strengthen their bonds.]
STUDY CIRCLE:
Which should be the main element of your Study Group activities and should serve to bring about a change in the lives of your members.
COMMUNITY WORK:
- helping out at a food bank
- shoveling the snow for old people
- visiting hospitals & old-age homes
- participating in rallies & protests for just causes
- volunteering at an Islamic event
- cleaning up an Islamic center
- raising funds, through a charity week drive, for the countries where Muslims are suffering
- helping the homeless during the winter season
- cooperating with the non-Muslim organizations that campaign to raise the awareness of anti-social elements of this society, for example, the awareness of AIDS, drinking, bars, drugs……etc.
- visiting the jails with a Muslim Chaplain….etc.
SPORTS TOURNAMENTS/LEAGUES:
Once in a month, your Study Group may have a sports day, instead of a study circle. In summer, you may also arrange twomonth long Basketball or hockey leagues.
QUIZ COMPETITIONS:
Organize quiz competitions to motivate the Study Group participants to learn more. They may also participate in the YM on-line quiz comp.
DAWAH FIELD TRIPS:
Go door-to-door or on a street to distribute Dawah pamphlets and interact with the non-Muslims. It’s a lot of fun!
EATING OUTSIDE:
Once in a while go to the Halaal restaurants, as a group.
FAMILY PICNICS OR IFTAR PARTIES:
These family events serve to introduce the parents of all the Study Group members, to each other.
FREE TUTORING:
The Study Group members can tutor each other in any course or profession they may be good at, for e.g. math, biology, web-designing…etc.
SLEEPOVERS:
Serve to strengthen the brotherhood/sisterhood and train the members to become better Islamic workers. Sleepovers should be held at a local Masjid, and may also include some interactive Islamic study sessions, as well as collective voluntary prayers, called Qiyam-al-layl, or Night-vigil prayers.
PRAYING AT A NEARBY MASJID:
You may carpool to a local Masjid to pray together, at least once a week.
ISLAMIC AUDIO/VISUAL SESSIONS:
Study Group members may watch or listen to an Islamic lecture/documentary and have a discussion on its message.
