Sunday, 12th April 2009
Today was meaningful. She woke up and almost immediately, called grandma who had been reminding her the past week about today’s date. They were both going to her alma mater for an annual event.
So she fetched grandma from Yishun and they made their way to Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah (the name of the school she was educated in for 11 years of her life). She was somewhat excited at the thought of meeting some of her former teachers.
Her asatizahs (plural for teachers in Arabic) will always have a special place in her heart. Whenever she completes a milestone in education, she has always thought that part of the success must have been the influenced by the prayers of her teachers. When she was in madrasah, among the traits they tried to infuse in the students were always to have complete faith in ALLAH, to seek HIM when faced with any difficulty and the value of respect for elders; parents, teachers, etc.
It was not easy and it still is not, to be a madrasah student. Students have to cope with both religious and academic studies, which plainly sums up to double the workload of the others who attend mainstream schools. Not only that, the students are sometimes victims of critics who think that being in such religious institution can be detrimental to an individual’s success in the future. Further, growing up in such an environment, means that they have the pressure of being ‘model’ Muslims or Muslimah to the society. Sometimes they are not allowed their mistakes and that can be tough considering the external influences of being in a multi-cultural and fairly open country like Singapore. She recollects dealing with her own struggles when she was part of the institution but given the choice, she would still choose to be in madrasah all over again.
Her opinion is that students who had the opportunity to be educated in madrasah are gifted. The education is well-rounded, albeit not perfect. No matter how defiant a person may be, how they might have hated being restricted in this and that in the name of religion, as they grow up, some of the things they learnt in madrasah would have an impact, however small. There are many who do not know much about Islam or being a Muslim but every student who was taught in madrasah can be an ambassador of Islam, however small their contribution. Probably just through a little query anyone may come up with.
Back to her visit…so she met her former principal, Ustaz Md Noor, who has now aged considerably, but Alhamdulillah, he was still as charming as ever when he lead in the recitation of du’a (supplication). She met her much loved teachers:
Ustazah Masnia, the lady whose optimism never runs out…literally. The most compassionate teacher of all.
Ustazah Esah, who hugged her immediately and chided her for not visiting more often. The one she remembers wanting to grow up to be like when she was young.
Ustazah Orfiyah, who excitedly asked if she was getting married (now where did that come from?).
Ustazah Ainon, the former disciplinary teacher who mentioned her name “Zeeeeeeeeennaaaaattttthhhhhhh” enthusiastically upon seeing her and the first thought that came to her mind was how often she troubled this teacher before because she was always late for school.
Teacher Zuraidah, who teased her after bumping into her more than once saying “Why do I keep seeing your face?” and added that she always loved teasing her.
Teacher Mazda, somewhat a little quiet than expected, who marvelled at the fact that she’s going to Oman to work. She remembers this teacher as the one who encouraged her and told her she was brave to venture out of the usual path madrasah students take.
Ustazah Habibah, the teacher she had since Primary 1 and whom she used to admire as a child. A strict teacher but because she was a good mannered child, she only remembers being praised.
Ustazah Sidah, the teacher who always have this innocent look donned on her. Saw her family of lovely looking individuals of Yemen origin.
Ustaz Halim, who had a short chat with her asking her what she’s up to, because as usual, he had that urgency air about him.
Ustaz Ibrahim, the funny one who refused to let her leave when she said goodbye and asked why the hell would she want to go to a country as far as Oman. She remembers him as one of the most curt in the most amusing ways.
Cikgu…(arrrr can’t recall her name!) who was also her teacher from Primary school who taught her Malay, thus the title Cikgu which means teacher in Malay.
She met the other teachers who never taught her, but whom she worked with when she did relief teaching there in 2006. Also bumped into some juniors. Too bad didn’t see any of her former classmates. Oh, and Kak Mun, who used to be the clerk in her childhood days. Whenever she sees Kak Mun, it reminds her of dad. Dad used to come to school to pay her fees and Kak Mun was the one who personally called her to the office whenever that happens. Kak Mun knew dad and was quite shocked when upon hearing about his death in 1993.
So she had fun catching up and being in the school by itself was nostalgic. Plus the fact that she was out with grandma, made the trip even more momentous.
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