17th April 2008
Khalid Ashraf
New York
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
My name is Khalid Ashraf. I am an expatriate in Singapore from America, but originally born in Pakistan. My wife and I arrived in Singapore in October, 2005. I am currently 32 years old. When I came to Singapore, I could not read
Quran. For several years prior to arriving in Singapore, I had been searching for a way to learn Quran in a class like atmosphere with peers who had as little experience as I had. I did not have any prior formal lessons on Quran reading other than a class where I learned just letters many years ago.
By the mercy of Allah (SWT) I was able to learn about the basic Quran reading class called “Taiseer” being offered at Al Falah Mosque in May 2006. This is where my journey began. I enrolled in the class and stumbled upon one of the
best reciters and teachers of the Quran (Mash-Allah) that I have ever been around, Ustad Zulkiflee Bachik. Beyond his abilities, what made the learning experience so much more enjoyable was that he understood the issues and challenges we were facing trying to learn the Quran as an adult since he had faced them too. In “Taiseer”, we learned proper identification of the letters and the proper “makhraj” or, origin of pronunciation. We also learned the key elements of faith that are required for anyone to properly learn Quran since it is the word of Allah (SWT).
After the “Taiseer” class I progressively moved on to the next stages of Quran reading. Alhamdulillah, the Al-Falah Mosque continued to support the classes and Ustad Zul continued to teach. I moved from “Tajweed” to “Talaqqi” and
finally on to “Tahsin”. It has been a great experience for me and I wish there were more classes to take. I have been attending classes regularly for 2 years now and I am able to read the Quran with confidence.
I still endeavor to become even better and more well versed with Quran (Insh-Allah), but this series of classes has provided me with the tools and confidence I need to progress. I highly encourage anyone looking to start from scratch like me or looking to improve their reading to enroll in one of these classes, you won’t regret it.
----- Forwarded message from Nur Laila
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:20:15 +0800 (SGT)
From: Nur Laila
Reply-To: Nur Laila <Subject: inspiring lesson
To:
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:20:15 +0800 (SGT)
From: Nur Laila
Reply-To: Nur Laila <Subject: inspiring lesson
To:
Assalamkm wrb Ust Zulkiflee,
Just wanted to say thanks for your lesson last night. I have enjoyed your lessons , from day 1 , and yesterday was no exception. It is most meaningful and inspiring to me to hear you share how you started as someone who did not know Al-quran, and came from a secular background , to being the good Quran teacher you are today. It is especially relevant for me, cos my father and I are converts, and tho' I have been raised as Muslim since I was a child, I did not have the opportunity to attend madrasah, and only had a typical secular education.
i also value the tips and hadiths, religious knowledge that you share with us, not just about how to learn the Al-quran, but also, general things like when it's a good timw to make doa( supplication) to Allah.
May Allah bless you with safe and fruitful journey, in your quest for knowledge for Him.And may you return safely, with more oppotunities to share your knowledge with our class, and others. Ameen!
Laila ^_^
Just wanted to say thanks for your lesson last night. I have enjoyed your lessons , from day 1 , and yesterday was no exception. It is most meaningful and inspiring to me to hear you share how you started as someone who did not know Al-quran, and came from a secular background , to being the good Quran teacher you are today. It is especially relevant for me, cos my father and I are converts, and tho' I have been raised as Muslim since I was a child, I did not have the opportunity to attend madrasah, and only had a typical secular education.
i also value the tips and hadiths, religious knowledge that you share with us, not just about how to learn the Al-quran, but also, general things like when it's a good timw to make doa( supplication) to Allah.
May Allah bless you with safe and fruitful journey, in your quest for knowledge for Him.And may you return safely, with more oppotunities to share your knowledge with our class, and others. Ameen!
Laila ^_^