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The Education Committee of the Council of European Jamaats has held a University Study Skills Course in the last three years and the comments received from the students during the appraisal were that they wished they had some of the skills earlier on when they were doing their G.C.S.E.'s and "A" levels.
In October 1999 the Council of European Jamaats held, for the first time, a G.C.S.E. Study Skills Course for G.C.S.E. year 10 and year 11 students. Details of the course are in the prospectus. 43 students applied, of which there were 23 boys and 20 girls. They came from Birmingham, Hyderi, Leicester, Stanmore and Wessex.
The instructors for the course were Dr. Mahmood Datoo, Amir Walji, Ali Akber Hussein and Mrs. Rose Millard. The administrators were Muhsin Dharamsi, Murtaza Datoo, Sidika Hudda, Zahida Mamdani, Ishrat Naqwi and Shelina Merali. The three girls were in fact students of the previous University Study Skills Course and volunteered to assist in this course. 
Stress Control by two of the lecturers, Dr. Mahmoud Datoo and Aliakber Hussein.
Below are the two reports from the students, which gives details of how the course was conducted and their comments. Our special thanks go to Birmingham Jamaat for having hosted the programme and the lecturers who gave their time free of charge.
Report By Rehmat Rajani
A GCSE study skills course was held in the Sayyeda Zainab Complex of Birmingham, organized by the Council of European Jamaats. It lasted for 3 days, from Sunday 24th October till Wednesday 27th October 1999. 43 youths, both girls and boys, participated in this course.
When we reached the Birmingham mosque, we were nervous and thought that this was going to be a long 3 days, as we hardly knew anyone. How would their attitude be towards us? Luckily everyone was really friendly and we got to know each other within a few minutes.
Our tutors, Mahmood uncle Datoo, Amir uncle Walji and Aliakber uncle Hussein, taught us many useful techniques including time management, note-taking, coursework skills, exam revision techniques, stress control and many more.
When we arrived there was first a majlis to commemorate the Wafat of Sayyida Zainab AS. We were all told to make notes during the majlis which were then collected in and graded. After the wafat and nyaz, when all the local residents had returned home, all the participants met up in the main hall, the girls on one side of the room and the boys on the other. The organizer and our tutors of this course all introduced themselves, and then it was our turn.
After the brief introductions, we did our opening lesson on organizing ideas. Then it was time to go to sleep, although most of us decided to stay awake most of the night! We all huddled up in one bedroom and as we found out more about each other, the night turned to early morning. There were many different girls in our group from all over the country. We also had a young mulyani as one of the participants and so we had question and answer sessions and mushairah (recitation of marsias and nawhas).
The next 2 days after delicious breakfasts of tea, toast and butter, fried eggs and cereals, we had our lessons in the arranged classes. There were 3 lessons lasting one and a half hour each. The lessons were very informative and beneficial. Our tutors, Mahmood uncle Datoo, Amir uncle Walji and Aliakber uncle Hussein, taught us many useful techniques including time management, note-taking, coursework skills, exam revision techniques, stress control and many more.
On Monday we had our group photograph. We all had to give a good pause for the camera. The photographer had to take 10-15 shots until he got the perfect shot. The same night, after a wonderful dinner of pizzas and garlic bread, during our extra-curricular activities we were given a surprise all-subject quiz. The papers were marked. Those with the highest marks were to compete in the finals. The following evening there were 2 girl teams and two boy teams. Each team competed amongst themselves and then the winning teams played each other. The boys won by only 2 points so it had been a good Competition.
 During our extra-curricular activities we were given a surprise all-subject quiz.
That night, Aliakber uncle chose a group of three girls and three boys to organize a game show in which all students could participate. These were Masooma Rahim, Iram Rajani, Rehmat Rajani, Kazim Haji, Fazleabbas Kanji and Sameer Muraj. We only had one day in which to organize it. The show was held on Tuesday evening (after the quiz) and was called 'Win Lose or Draw'. The teams allocated by the organizers had to have one member to come up and draw a saying, phrase, or story title, written on a card. The other members had to guess what he/she was drawing. Alhamdulillah it was a success and everyone seemed to enjoy it!
After all the programs of the last night, under the supervision and guide of Hassan uncle Naqwi all the girls went for a late night feast in a nearby halal restaurant. The food was very tasty and after our return it was the boys turn to go. While they were away, we had the whole car park to ourselves (with no na-mahram there) so we had a big water fight. We all ended up going to our rooms to change or for a shower as everyone had been completely soaked. 
Girls' teams competing against each other.Most of us stayed up the whole night playing pool or badminton or just talking about anything that sprung to mind. After Fajr namaz, and breakfast, everyone was really tired but had enjoyed themselves very much.
Wednesday was the last day. We had a lady teacher. Her name was Mrs. Rose Mullard who came to teach us how to plan and write essays. The three days had just flew past so fast that before we realized, it was time to load the bus with our luggage. Those who were going by car or lived in Birmingham said khudahafiz to each other. The girls hugged each other and exchanged addresses promising to keep in touch while the boys shook hands and tried to look cool.
This course has been very very beneficial for us and we suggest that all GCSE students should participate next year. 
Presentation of momentos by the Council of European Jamaats' Education Committee Chairman, AlHajj Murtazabhai Datoo. We pray to Allah (SWT) to give the management committee success in every step they take and to give them strength and life to carry on with this noble task.
Comments Of Some Of The Participants:
• 'The organizers had put in a lot of effort in arranging the trip an it is very much appreciated….it was a good idea to give handouts for future use and calling someone from outside to teach, Mrs Millard, I think was also helpful. The accommodation, services and food were brilliant and it was well organised.'
• 'Over all it was not a waste of time, it was well worth the time, its price was practically free, for what was provided.'
• 'It was loads of fun, learnt a bit…supervisors were excellent - Sidika and Zahida. Basically it was great!!!!!!'
• 'It was just really really good. The supervisors had put in a lot of time and hardwork into it. I don't see any way we can thank them more than just pray for them.'
• 'The teachers/lecturers did very well in putting their aim forward into our minds. I guess it'll all stick in lifetime.'
Report By Shaheed Fazal, Birmingham
I was asked to write a review on the Study Skills Course, which took place between 24th and 27th October 1999 in Birmingham. The aim of this course was to learn to study properly and to have fun as well. We were accommodated in the Syeda Zainab Building (boys and girls in separate wings of the building). On the whole I thought that the camp was very informative. I will start by addressing the issue of the lessons. All the lessons were fun and informative. I learnt a lot of things that I never knew before. However, there was a downside. I thought the classes lasted too long. I think that each class should last only forty minutes. 
All the lessons were fun and informative. I learnt a lot of things that I never knew before.
As to the best things I learnt, stress management and how to make notes properly. I enjoyed the lesson on stress management a lot because most of the time, we were shouting 'Aaah' very loudly for practice on taking our stress out and it works too! The worst lesson that was in the itinerary was that on essay writing. I thought that this was a colossal waste of time, as I already knew how to write an essay properly.
The leisure facilities were quite good; I enjoyed playing sports and games. There was no proper timing set between the boys and the girls. Extra curricular activities were also included in the evenings. I thought they were excellent. Although the questions were very challenging. The best part was the final two rounds of the quiz, which my team won. 
During our extra-curricular activities we were given a surprise all-subject quiz.
The Syeda Zainab Building is a usefully equipped building for sleeping arrangements. However, it was very hard to get to sleep at night because of all the noise and the fact that the floor was too hard. But what can one do - floors are always hard, not fluffy! There was however one thing that annoyed me. As I live in Birmingham, I am sensitive to our Madressa complex getting dirty; most of it was easily rectifiable though. Another thing was that the shower cubicles did not have curtains over them so if anyone walked in, they could probably see you, luckily this didn't happen to me. Nevertheless, the facilities were suitable for the camp and I think that the complex should be used for the camp next year as well.
The secretary of Birmingham Jamaat, Hassnbhai Naqvi, congratulating the winning team in the quiz competition.
Overall, to me the camp achieved its goal of teaching us how to study properly and to mange our lives properly. I have even applied the techniques that I have learnt at the camp and they are working. I would recommend that anyone who hasn't been to the camp should go. I might even go again as I had so much fun.  |
