COTABATO CITY, July 14 (PNA) — For about a month now, a public school teacher in Maguindanao has been teaching co-teachers Arabic language as her personal contribution to Islamic faith.
Sarah Zailon, an Islamic teacher of Datu Unsay Elementary School (DUES), spends an hour or two teaching her co-teachers Arabic “so they can understand the alphabet in Arabic and its correct pronunciation.”
Earlier in the day, from Sunday to Thursday, DUES teachers stand before their students and later in the day they sit as pupils listening to teacher Zailon.
“Learning and understanding Arabic alphabet is important for correct pronunciation of verses of the Qur’an,” Zailon said.
Since June 16, Zailon, an ustadza or Islamic faithful who performed pilgrimage to the holy land of Mecca, has been sharing his time and talent to co-teachers, for free.
“After our regular classes, my co-teachers take their seats as Arabic pupils,” Zailon said, adding that Arabic class focuses on the alphabet in Arabic and its correct pronunciation.
Even non-Muslim teachers sit in Zailon’s class so they will learn correct pronunciation of Arabic alphabet.
“Mahalaga sa amin itong efforts ni Mam Zailon kaya masaya kami may time siya para turuan kami (We are happy Mam Zailon spend time to teach us Arabic bacause we know this is very important),” teacher Rakma Saway said.
Zailon admitted that even Muslim teachers have difficulty in the correct pronunciation of verses of the Qur’an because they have not study Arabic.
“Mam Zailon’s extra efforts for us teachers are of great help for us, we consider this a blessing,” Saway said. She admitted she lacks enough knowledge in Arabic reading and understanding.
Even after the fasting month, Zailon vowed to push for her personal cause “because I am happy doing it.” (PNA)