Young Muslims Islamic Quiz 2010 A Report Saturday, April 3, 2010
The Young Muslims Islamic Quiz organized by the Bay Area Chapter of Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) was held on Saturday, April 3, 2010, at the Muslim Community Association in Santa Clara. By the grace of Allah, the event was a great success and attracted over 300 students from across the Bay Area.
Participants were divided into 6 levels based on the grades they attend and were seated in Granada Islamic School. In the initial round of the quiz, students were tested through a written multiple choice exam based on a pre-announced syllabus. After testing was completed the students were served lunch and participation certificates and event souvenirs were handed out to them. Meanwhile the exams were graded and the top 4 scorers from each level were identified. These students would later participate in the final buzzer round for their levels. The exam for 1st grade was conducted differently with teachers asking each student a set of questions verbally. In the end the top 9 students from grade 1 were given prizes. Level F (Grade 9, 10, 11 & 12) did not have any buzzer round and the top five winners from the written exam advanced towards the speech contest.
While the students were in Granada Islamic School, parents attended talks by the guest speakers. Dr. Irfan Saadat talked about peer pressure and the effect of individualism on the Muslim identity of children. He was followed by Imam Tahir who spoke about how the actions of parents can guide the development of Islamic character in children.
At noon, the results for grade 1 were announced after which the buzzer rounds for the rest of the grade levels started. The top 4 students from each level (except level F) participated in a jeopardy-style buzzer round to compete for the key prizes. Level F students (from grades 9 to 12) took part in a speech competition. Based on the cumulative score, Aiman Arif (Profile of Aiman and her family), an 11th grade home schooled student, came first in the competition and won the Umrah ticket. Saaleh Abdul Baseer came 2nd and won an iPad. Sarra Samy Hilaly of 11th grade won the Notebook. Abdel Wahab Bourai student of 10th grade won the IPOD Touch. In Level F, due to ties in the written exams, we had five students competing in the speech contest. Haroon Ahmad Masood, a student of grade 10 came fifth and won the gift card of $100.
Scores of volunteers from the community helped us to organize and manage this event; from promotion, question preparation, student registration to grading, security and other logistical aspects of the event. Without their help, this event wouldn't have been as great a success as it was. May Allah reward them for their efforts.
The purpose of organizing the Young Muslims Islamic Quiz is to impart a basic understanding and knowledge of Islamic fundamentals among the youth, provide a platform for healthy competition among them and to encourage them to acquire Islamic knowledge by providing them with an incentive. We ask Allah SWT to grant us success in this endeavor.