UK Enterprise Awards 2021

128 | UK Enterprise Awards 2021 Apr21314 Best Islamic Supplementary Education Institute - South East England Founded in 2014, Al Iman Institute is an Islamic supplementary education centre offering students ongoing courses in the Arabic language and Islamic theology. Following its well-deserved success in the UK Enterprise Awards 2021, we got in touch with Joweria Khera to find out more. Based in Slough, Al Iman Institute aims to teach the Arabic language and also expose young minds to an education system that primarily instills values such as tolerance, kindness, care, forgiveness, respect and truthfulness. A representative of the institute, Joweria Khera introduces the organisation, offering an insight into its teaching body. “As a group of young professionals from various professions, we decided to take time out of our own lives to make this project a reality. Here at Al Iman Institute, we typically begin teaching young Muslims aged four and above to help prepare them for a life of purity and sincerity. In addition, our doors are open to anyone who would like to study the Arabic language and learn more about Islam. Programmes of study focus on worship, manners, faith, and the history of Islam to ensure students are developing a sense of spirituality and building a positive and strong relationship with God. Working in the field of Islamic education can often prove to be a challenging experience given the responsibility that goes with it, however, as Joweria goes on to explain, while students are its main focus, the institute wants to ultimately help the public as well. “By putting in place the building blocks in the lives of young Muslims, we are helping their parents to bring them up to be responsible, educated, and wise young adults who refrain from public disorder, crime, harmful substances and strive to do positive things in the communities in which they live”. When it comes to recruitment, the institute adopts a careful approach towards the hiring of staff, as Joweria points out. “In addition to possessing adequate qualifications and experience in the Arabic language, anyone joining Al Iman Institute must be committed towards promoting the welfare of the young people who join our Institute. All members should also have a satisfactory enhanced disclosure (DBS check) to work in the UK and attend a number of training programmes on child protection and safeguarding, health and safety at work and fire safety etc”. The ethos of the team at Al Iman is like that of a close- knit family where everyone works together to support each other. Each member is valued and is seen as an integral part of the team from the cleaners, to the traffic wardens, the supervisors, administrators to teachers and senior management. Each member plays a key role in the smooth running of the whole establishment. Finally, Joweria discusses the institute’s future prospects and suggests one or two reasons why families should have no hesitation in sending their child to Al Iman Institute. “Moving forward, our aim is to continue playing our part in the education of young Muslims across the South East. With an affordable weekly fee package, a friendly and safe environment, and structured lesson plans in place, we hope to welcome more young Muslims and their families in the future”. Company: Al Iman Institute Contact: Joweria Khera Email: admin@alimaninstitute.co.uk Web: www.alimaninstitute.co.uk Address: St Bernards Grammer School, 1 Langley Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 7AF Phone: 01753 579 533