Teaching the Holy Quran to Children in Iraq: Between Heritage and Modern Development

Teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq is an essential part of the religious and cultural heritage, as the study of the Quran has a sacred status in Iraqi society. Throughout history, traditional schools and kuttabs have been the main means of teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq, where children receive Quranic lessons under the supervision of a teacher or sheikh, in an atmosphere that promotes indoctrination and memorization.

Quranic teaching methods in Iraq between past and present

Challenges in traditional methods of teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq :

•         Relying on memorization without deep understanding :

The traditional approach places a heavy emphasis on memorization and rote learning, which allows children to memorize the Holy Quran without gaining a deep understanding of the meanings of the verses. This limits their ability to relate the Quranic text to their daily lives and apply it practically.

•         Lack of material and human resources :

•         Social and technical changes :

•         Weakness of the curriculum :

•         The impact of educational institutions on security and political situations :

•         Lack of encouragement for critical thinking :

Recent developments in teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq:

With the spread of the Internet and modern technology, applications and electronic platforms have become an effective way to teach children to recite and memorize the Qur’an in an interactive way. These applications offer a variety of features, such as:

• Interactive lessons focusing on correct recitation.
• Audio recordings to learn correct pronunciation.
• Tajweed exercises.
• Providing instant translation of the meanings of the verses.

These tools allow children to learn the Holy Quran for young children in Iraq anytime and anywhere, enhancing their ability to review and memorize the Quran in a flexible way that suits their daily routine. These tools also help parents to participate in the educational process, as they can follow their children’s progress and support them.

• Update Quranic curricula

In addition to e-learning, modern Quranic schools in Iraq have seen an update in their curricula. Multimedia and interactive teaching methods have been introduced into the teaching process. Instead of relying solely on memorization and rote learning, educational videos, illustrations, and educational games are now used that focus on a deeper understanding of Quranic meanings. These approaches encourage children to reflect on the meanings of the verses and how to apply them to their daily lives, which contributes to a deeper spiritual relationship with the Quran.

• Training teachers on modern methods

Another important development is the training of teachers to use modern educational methods in teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq. Teachers are an essential part of the educational process, so the focus has been on improving their skills. Training courses and workshops are organized to help teachers learn about modern educational methods that make teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq an enjoyable and interactive experience for children. These courses include:

• How to use technology in education.

• Interactive teaching methods.

• Enhancing teachers’ abilities to deal with children in a way that motivates them to think critically and have a deep understanding of the Qur’an.

• Distance learning

In light of the challenges facing teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq, including difficult security conditions and the Corona pandemic, distance education has become an urgent necessity. Distance education platforms have provided an opportunity for children to continue their Quranic education even in difficult circumstances. These platforms rely on direct communication between the teacher and the student via the Internet, allowing children in remote or affected areas to continue learning the Quran without interruption.

How did Madrasa.com combine heritage and modernity in teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq?

Madrasa.com has managed to combine heritage and modernity in teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq by adopting a set of educational methods that combine traditional Quranic teaching methods with modern technologies. These steps enable children to learn the Holy Quran effectively while preserving authenticity and traditional values. Here is how the school combined the Quranic teaching curricula in Iraq between heritage and modernity:

Heritage: Preserving Memorization and Indoctrination Methods

• Focus on memorization : Al-Madrasa.com adheres to the traditional methods of teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq, where verses are repeated and taught in an organized manner, which is the method followed for centuries in teaching the Quran. Children learn the correct recitation with melodious voices and its intonation as they learned in traditional schools and kuttabs.
• Adherence to the religious spirit : The school is committed to the religious and moral values ​​that accompany the teaching of the Holy Qur’an, such as the importance of respecting the teacher, appreciating the Qur’anic text, and reinforcing the importance of memorizing it as part of the Islamic identity.

Modernity: Use of technology and interactive teaching methods

• E-Learning : Al-Madrasa.com provides an electronic platform that uses the latest digital technologies to teach the Holy Quran to children in Iraq. Children are taught through interactive programs and digital tools such as applications and programs that facilitate the process of memorization and recitation. These tools include:
• Quran memorization applications : which help children review their memorization using audio and visual means.
• Audio recordings for teaching Tajweed : Through them, children learn how to pronounce verses correctly and control the articulation of letters using advanced techniques.
• Educational Videos : The school uses explanatory videos to help children understand the meanings of the verses and relate them to their real lives. These media combine the Qur’anic text and its interpretation in a way that is appropriate for the child’s age, which enhances his or her deep understanding of the texts.
• Educational Games : Through interactive educational games, children are motivated to learn in innovative and engaging ways. These games help make teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq fun and personal, as children interact with the Quranic texts in a fun and interactive way.

Training teachers to use modern methods

• Teacher Training : The school trains teachers to combine traditional and innovative methods in teaching the Holy Quran to young people in Iraq. They are guided to use technology effectively in teaching, while maintaining their respect for traditional methods. This creates an integrated educational experience that combines the past and the present.

Distance learning

• Flexibility in Education : Through the electronic platform, children in different parts of Iraq, whether in cities or rural areas, can learn the Holy Quran for young children in Iraq from the comfort of their homes. This helps children who may not have access to traditional Quranic schools to continue learning the Quran without interruption, combining modernity and heritage in a virtual learning environment.

Encourage critical thinking and understanding

• Focus on deep understanding : In addition to memorization, children are encouraged to understand and interpret the meanings of the verses through explanatory lessons using digital media. This method contributes to combining traditional memorization with modern critical thinking, which helps children apply Quranic values ​​in their daily lives.

Integration between traditional and e-learning

• Integrating technology with traditional sessions : The school combines distance learning with in-person sessions, where children can attend live interactive online lessons with their teachers, giving them the opportunity to interact with and discuss Quranic texts in a virtual learning environment, combining traditional memorization and indoctrination with digital interaction.

Tips to follow during the journey of memorizing the Holy Quran:

Sincerity of intention

The first step in the journey of memorizing the Holy Quran is sincerity of intention. Your intention to memorize the Quran should be purely for the sake of Allah Almighty and not for worldly gains such as fame or bragging. Sincerity plants the love of the Quran in the heart and makes memorization a spiritual process that benefits the soul and mind.

Develop an organized plan for preservation:

Success in memorizing the Quran requires developing a well-organized memorization plan. This plan should be realistic and fit into your daily schedule. It is preferable to divide the Quran into small parts and gradually memorize, while allocating a fixed daily time for this. Consistency in timings helps to better consolidate the verses in the memory.

Repetition and review:

These are two essential elements to ensure long-term memorization of the Holy Quran . If you memorize verses without reviewing them, you may quickly forget them. Therefore, you should make reviewing part of your daily memorization schedule, where you review the verses you have previously memorized periodically.

Review tips :

• Review the portion you memorized last week before moving on to new verses.
• Set aside one day a week to comprehensively review what you have memorized during the week.

Understanding the meanings of the verses

Memorizing the Quran without understanding its meanings makes the process more difficult and less effective. This is where understanding the meanings of the verses during the memorization process comes in. You can use reliable Quranic interpretations to know the meanings and explanations, which makes it easier for you to connect the verses to the meanings and makes memorization more stable.

Benefits of understanding the meanings of the verses :

• Enhance the ability to remember verses .
• Increase spiritual understanding of the Qur’anic texts.
• Applying Quranic values ​​in daily life.

Listen to the correct recitation

Listening to the recitation of the Holy Quran by skilled reciters helps to master the articulation of letters and correct intonation. Continuous listening to the verses enhances the ability to memorize them quickly and helps in correcting mistakes. You can listen to the recitations of famous reciters such as Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad or Sheikh Al-Minshawi.

Commitment to Tajweed

Learning Tajweed is an essential step in memorizing the Holy Quran. Tajweed is a science that helps you recite the Quran in a correct and precise manner. By learning Tajweed, you will be able to pronounce the verses correctly, which will facilitate memorization and reduce errors. It is recommended to learn Tajweed from a qualified teacher to ensure that you are reading the Quran as it was revealed.

Humility and patience

Memorizing the Holy Quran is not an easy task, it requires a lot of time and patience. Hence, it is necessary to be patient and humble during this journey. Do not despair if you encounter difficulties in memorizing or if it takes a long time, the more perseverance you have, the more Allah’s blessings will increase in your memorization.

Commitment, integrity and good behavior

Memorizing the Quran is not just about reciting and memorizing texts, but rather it is about applying the morals of the Quran in daily life. Therefore, it is essential that memorizing the Quran is reflected in your morals and behavior. Adhering to the teachings of the Quran and applying them in your daily life strengthens your relationship with the Quranic texts and makes memorization more profound and influential.

Choosing the right time to save

Choosing the right time to memorize is one of the basic factors that affect the effectiveness of memorization. The best times to memorize the Quran are the times when the mind is clear:

Help from friends

• Make a memorization buddy : Joining a group of friends or family members who are striving to memorize the Qur’an can have a huge impact. Buddies help motivate each other, and make the process more fun. You can also organize joint review and recitation sessions, which enhances interaction and helps catch mistakes.

Diversify memorization methods

• Use a variety of methods : Varying your memorization methods can help you improve your recall. Try memorizing by writing, by listening, or by using flashcards. Some people remember texts better when they see them written down, while others need to listen to multiple recitations.

Set small rewards

• Motivating yourself with rewards : After completing a certain section of memorization or achieving a specific goal, reward yourself with something you like. These rewards, no matter how simple, can enhance the motivation to continue memorizing.

Determine custom locations

• Choose a suitable place : Choose a quiet and suitable place for memorization. Make sure that this place is free from distractions, where you can fully focus on memorization. It can be a special room or a corner of the house dedicated to the memorization process.

Practice meditation and relaxation

• Practice meditation and relaxation techniques : Meditation helps improve concentration and memory. Spending some time relaxing and thinking about the meanings of the verses can contribute to a better understanding of the texts and facilitate the memorization process.

Record your recitations

• Record yourself reciting : Use audio recording technology to hear yourself reciting. This helps review your pronunciation and intonation, and gives you the opportunity to correct mistakes and improve your performance.

Taking advantage of smartphone technology

• Use useful applications : There are many applications available on smartphones that help in memorizing the Qur’an and provide various recitations. Applications help in organizing memorization, provide daily reminders, and motivate you to continue.

Listen to various recitations

• Diversity of Reciters : Listen to recitations from different reciters. This enhances your understanding of the different styles of Tajweed and makes the memorization experience more diverse and exciting.

Save at peak time

• Choose your mental peak times : Some people are more focused at certain times of the day. Find out when your mind is clearest and use that time to memorize.

Be flexible with your plan.

• Be prepared to adapt to changes : Sometimes you may encounter unexpected circumstances that disrupt your plan. Be flexible and adaptable, and don’t hesitate to adjust your schedule or saving methods to suit the current circumstances.

Continuity of learning

• Study the sciences of the Quran : Invest some time in studying the sciences of the Quran , such as Tafseer and Tajweed. This not only helps in memorizing the texts, but also enhances your deep understanding of the meanings of the verses.

Make sure to pray constantly

• Always ask Allah for help : Don’t forget the importance of supplication in your journey. Make supplication a part of your day and ask Allah to make memorization easy for you and to grant you understanding and application.

Teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq represents a unique blend of ancient heritage and modern developments, making it a rich and inspiring educational experience. Throughout the ages, traditional methods of education were characterized by indoctrination and memorization, as traditional schools and kuttabs played a major role in spreading the teachings of the Quran and reinforcing Islamic values ​​in the souls of the younger generations.

With the advancement of technology and changing teaching methods , Iraq has witnessed a remarkable transformation in how the Holy Quran is taught to children in Iraq, as modern technologies such as e-learning and interactive applications have been integrated into the educational process.

This combination of heritage and modernity contributes to providing an integrated educational experience that enhances children’s understanding of the Quranic texts and helps them memorize them in a more effective way. In addition, enhancing intellectual and critical skills and adopting new teaching methods contributes to shaping the personality of the Muslim child who is capable of facing modern challenges.

Despite the challenges facing Quranic education , the efforts made by educational institutions and families in supporting this approach provide hope for a bright future. Teaching Quran to children is not limited to memorizing texts, but rather it is about building a deep spiritual relationship with the Book of Allah, and nurturing the moral values ​​that Islamic teachings reflect in their daily lives.

In conclusion, teaching the Holy Quran to children in Iraq remains a journey worthy of every effort and sacrifice, as it contributes to shaping future generations and presenting them as protectors of religion and Islamic values ​​in a time of change.