Secondary School Teacher Working on Weekends to Improve Numeracy Levels in Bolton Borough
The younger children, but also sixth-formers who will be seeking university places. She also helps pupils with basic English skills. New Madina Mosque presently has six classes running; three for boys and three for girls.The initiative proved popular from the outset, with the age range and numbers of children increasing to include Years 4, 5 and 6.
Mrs Hussain is helped by her son and volunt e e rs in he r noble endeavour. All volunteers have their efforts a cknowl edged with a certificate, bearing the mosque’sstamp, confirming that they have done voluntary teaching work – and primary school children receive a certificate of attendance.
Mrs Hussein believes that if schools can provide information on attainment levels, an intervention program could become a part of the mosque’s syllabus becoming an extension of the education process – with children benefitting from the additional teaching.
Haji Nadir, President of the New Madina Mosque committee, has been working tirelessly since 1983. He says whilst there is little in the way of support from Bolton Council, there has been tremendous support from the local community and Haji Nadir is keen to express his gratitude for t h a t s u p p o rt , which has enabled the mosque to c o n t i n u e a n d develop its work.
One notable supporter of the work being done is boxer Amir Khan, former two-time World Champion. A native of Bolton, Khan has donated £100,000 to the mosque and his support and generosity has been of great benefit, not just financially, but in respect of helping to redress some of the negative perceptions which have perhaps inevitably arisen as a consequence of
events in recent years – both in the UK and elsewhere in the world.
The activities of fundamentalists in recent years have led to a growing suspicion about the nature of teachings in mosques, and indeed,to an extent, about religion ingeneral. As such, it has become important to allay such fears and suspicions and to promote the image of mosques as places which are central to local communities and which are striving to promote positive ideals – beneficial to young people of Asian origin and also, by extension, to the wider communities of the Bolton Me tropolit an Borough.
We wish Sajida Hussain, her son and Haji Nadir the very best for their incredible venture ‘Mathematics in Mosque’.