As part of its Second Ramadan Competition “Provisions & Knowledge”, Al Maaref Student’s Club held two culturally educational meetings for students entitled “Discussion of ‘ABC’s of Life’ Book” and “A Ramadan Evening” on Tuesday, April 27 and Saturday, May 1, 2021 via Google Meet.

The club’s extraordinary guests were the Educational Psychology Specialist Dr. Omayma Olleik, and Director and Storyteller Mrs. Sarah Kassir.

In the first meeting, Dr. Omayma stressed in her book discussion on the necessity of motivating children and intriguing them towards thinking, contemplating and research, so that education should not be an instructional process by answering all parts of their questions. “During the child’s first seven years of life, it is better to portray God with His aesthetic dimension rather than His majestic ones, that He is loving, compassionate, and so on,” Dr. Olleik pointed out.

“While introducing the child to religious concepts, we have to wait for the moments when he is most joyful, so we take advantage of our presence in a mosque or in nature to talk to him about it, because his susceptibility in those times is stronger, and the element of beauty must be introduced in education through stories,” she added.

As for the second meeting, Mrs. Kassir stressed the importance of passion as the basis for success and creativity of every work, noting that “choosing a university major should stem from passion, abilities and potentials, and that the story can be a message with a deep imprint if presented with passion.”

“Theater is a unique experience in building the self and an effective tool for influencing society,” she said. Mrs. Kassir stressed the necessity of perseverance, resilience and grit as tools to develop growth mindset and seize greater and bigger opportunities, considering Laylat al-Qadr as the perfect night to set future goals and define priorities.