1- Hello Manzoor, tell us about yourself
Hi, my name is Manzoor Ali Hussain Zada. I’m from Afghanistan. I was born in the Province of Parwan, about 200 km from Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. I currently live in Spain, in Vitoria. I am 25 years old. I work in the mornings from 8am to 4pm for a company that liaises between owners of empty houses and people with little means who need housing. I teach Mazhabi (1) on Sundays, once a month.
2- You are teaching Ta'lim now. What motivated you to start teaching?
In Afghanistan, although it wasn't for long, when I was going to Mazhabi classes - I was eight years old; I was inspired by the classes, because there were pictures in the books; these were well illustrated and well explained, and our teacher narrated it to us as if it were a story, a tale. It was very interesting. I always drew the pictures, copied them and then I would recount these stories to my younger siblings, or I would speak about it with my parents. I was about eight years old but I still liked to feel: “Yes! I attend the classes and I know how to convey the message in the books.” Although I remember it was funny, because at eight years of age, passing on what I was taught wasn't easy! But I still tried. At that age, everything was great.
I also studied with my grandfather. He used to teach us Qur'an-i Karim. (2) I remember very well when he told me: “Right now you will not understand what it is to teach someone what you know, but the time will come when you will teach others and you will feel a little bit better. Because if you have something, you have to share it with other people.” That is what Mawlana Hazir Imam tells us. When you have something, whether it is food, knowledge, education, you have to share it, because we are all brothers and sisters.
3- How has your experience of teaching Ta'lim been so far?
It's truly going very well, better than I thought it would! Before each class, when we prepare the syllabus, we are very nervous. I don't know why. Maybe it's normal. We are in our fourth or fifth class but even so; to begin with we are very nervous, in case something doesn't go well, or if they won't understand us, or in case there is too much information (our pupils are between five and six years old). For their age, they behave very well. They understand everything very well. We ask them questions after a month and they do remember; to start, we always try to ask them about the previous class - what we have done, what we have learnt. And the truth is that, they do understand and they do remember. For them it is very enjoyable, because we not only do the explanations, but also show them some pictures, just like I was taught when I was eight. Looking at the drawings and listening to those stories was very interesting and enjoyable for me, so I imagine it will be for them too. We try to do it that way. And honestly, it's going well so far!
4- What do you like most about the classes?
What I like most about the lessons are my students' reactions. For example, when they ask me something and I give an answer, or when I ask them, for example: “Who was our first prophet?” And they all want to answer and raise their hands: “me! me! me! me!” I also like it when they want to do more. For example, I know they are learning and have a very good understanding, but they all want to do something more, in competition with each other. Even when it comes to drawing - they make very nice drawings on their own, without help from their parents. And they show them off: “look, I did this!” I really love that about my pupils.
5- What message would you send to parents?
For the moment, they should continue like this, with this attitude. For the time being, I don't want to change anything. As they grow up, I believe they will be able to learn more and absorb more content. I want to embrace this moment and enjoy it to the full and I hope they do too.
6- Finally, what message would you like to send to the children, to your students?
That I love them very much! Honestly, I'm really happy to see them in every class. They have never missed one. I would like them to keep learning, to keep making an effort and to find their own way; to find what they want to study and to invest their time in. I can also see that their parents tell us that they like the classes very much. May they continue with this attitude and in the future, when they have the opportunity, may they share this knowledge and this joy.
Many congratulations, Manzoor, because you seem to have created a very nice class. Keep it up! Thank you very much and Ya Ali Madad.
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(1) Mazhabí is the name given in Afghanistan to the religion classes of the Ismaili Community. (In Portugal they are called Dar at-Ta‘lim and in other countries Baytul ʿIlm). It comes from “madhab” which means “school of thought” or “religious community” - for example, mazhab-i Isma'ili, mazhab-i Sunni etc.
(2) The Qu’ran
