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Islamic

Ethos

Grounded in the Islamic Faith

At Minaret College, our Islamic principles and values shape not just what we teach but how it is taught. We engage students in a way which is consistent with Islamic teachings and based on the example of the Prophet ﷺ, and role model exemplary Islamic behaviour. Students are encouraged to keep true to the Islamic world view and aligned to our fitrah (natural disposition). Hence, everything from the physical environment and our interactions, to the way we structure the day, is closely guided by our Islamic edicts and values.

Our Statement of Faith

Minaret College was founded to support the needs of a diverse Muslim community in the South-Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. We are diverse in our cultural and ethnic backgrounds, yet united in our faith Alhamdulillah. 

As Allah (SWT) states in Surah Al-Imran, Ayah 103:

وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟ ۚ

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”

As Muslims, we share a set of beliefs which are fundamental to the Islamic faith and unanimously agreed upon. The beliefs are articulated in the authoritative sources of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Our beliefs are:

Belief in Allah

The One, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets, nor is He begotten. There is none comparable to Him.

Belief in Angels

Created by Allah (SWT) from light and in a constant state of submission to His command.

Belief in Qadr
(Divine Decree)

The knowledge that both good and bad are from Allah (SWT) and based on His decree

Belief in His Books

Amongst them, the Torah, the Injeel and the final book, the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an is the unchanged, infallible word of Allah (SWT) and the final revelation to all of mankind.

Belief in His Messengers

Including Ibrahim (or Abraham) AS, Musa (or Moses) AS and Isa (or Jesus) AS. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the seal of the Prophets, the final Messenger and the best example for all of mankind.

Belief in the Day of Judgement

All mankind will be resurrected and judged according to our actions in this life. We will be rewarded or punished; our eternal destination will be either Jannah (Heaven) or Jahannum (Hell)

Our faith is completed through our actions. Following the Sunni tradition, our sources of guidance are the authoritative sources of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as recorded in the Books of Hadith (including the Collections by Al Bukhari, Muslim and others).

While there is consensus on the fundamentals of our faith, we recognise that there can be scholarly differences of interpretation on matters of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). The primary sources of fiqh are the four schools of thought (madhab) – Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi and Hanbali. Minaret College will accommodate diversity of understanding if derived from the authoritative sources and consistent with a particular madhab. Beliefs or actions inconsistent with those sources will be respectfully corrected.

Where a matter requires the College take one position, it will be referred to the College Imam and/or the Board of Imams Victoria.

Knowledge & Practice

Our students begin each school day with morning supplications that set their intentions and seek Allah’s (SWT) guidance. Minaret’s curriculum integrates Qur’an, Arabic & Islamic studies (Seerah, Aqeedah, Tawheed) from Foundation Year onwards. Students have the opportunity to study Texts & Traditions or Religion & Society as part of VCE subjects. In addition, teachers draw from Islamic examples to integrate Islam into mainstream subjects. 

Halaqas (or Islamic study circles) are also offered, where students can explore and discuss contemporary matters from an Islamic perspective.

From Year 2, students perform prayers during school hours in congregation. Juma’ah prayers are also held on campus for Year 3-12 students, with khutbahs tailored for our students. In addition, students participate in a Comprehensive Ta’alimu Assalah Program (CTAP), to ensure each student has the knowledge and ability to perfect their wudu’ and prayers.   

To encourage stewardship, students are also picked to lead others in prayer as an imam, read pre-prayer adhkar with the school imam, and even deliver khutbahs.

Hifz Program

The Minaret College Hifz Program is offered to selected students who are committed to memorise the Holy Qur’an. The program runs across all three Campuses. Hifz students and their teachers start each day a little earlier to continue on their journey of memorisation with proper tajweed (pronunciation).

Islamic Events

In the lead up to and throughout Ramadan, special assemblies are held to inspire and equip students with the appropriate knowledge for the holy month. School hours are shortened during Ramadan, to make it easier for students, and canteen does not operate. At night, teraweeh prayers are held in congregation on campus, to create stronger bonds between students and their families. In Dhul Hijjah, students also get to experience the rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage, in an engaging Hajj simulation activity. The Day of Arafah is also declared a school holiday. The school closes for three calendar days per celebration, for Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha.

Islamic Pedagogy

Many Qur’anic verses teach mankind “critical thinking” by asking us to observe, seek knowledge, reflect, and ask questions and to ultimately connect the dots by using the faculties of human reason. The Prophet ﷺ spoke in a very easy and understandable manner, and because of this, his companions were able to recall many of his teachings. The Islamic pedagogy involves effective authentic learning strategies which includes the following:

  • speaking in a very easy and understandable manner creating an appropriate atmosphere for learning – taking into account location and timing;
  • examining beliefs, assumptions, and opinions and weighing them against truth;
  • tailoring specific lessons to individual students;
  • observing with an open mind; asking pertinent questions (of self as well as others);
  • telling stories and making gestures to illustrate the point;
  • assessing statements and arguments;
  • developing our sense of observation and curiosity;
  • engaging in active reading and active listening;
  • listening carefully to others, thinking about what they say, and giving feedback;
  • sharing ideas with others;
  • becoming an open-minded listener and reader;
  • making assertions based on sound logic and solid evidence.

 

The Prophet ﷺ used many of the above methods when he was conveying information and knowledge. He recognised that standing in front of a group and talking was not necessarily the most effective way to present information, and hence made drawings, used gestures and encouraged discussion. He asked questions and used stories and parables to lead his students to a conclusion, and always tailored the lesson to the needs of the audience.

Minaret College facilitates learning based on the above tenets of Islamic Educational Pedagogy.

Founded in 1992 with the aim of providing a setting for generations of Muslim Australians to grow up knowledgeable in their faith and secure in their identity.

Springvale
36-38 Lewis Street, Springvale
Victoria 3171
Tel: (+613) 9574 0567
admin@minaret.vic.edu.au
Officer
67 Tivendale Road, Officer
Victoria 3809
Tel: (+613) 5943 2058 admin@minaret.vic.edu.au
Doveton
146 Kidds Road, Doveton
Victoria 3177
Tel: (+613) 9238 4200
admin@minaret.vic.edu.au

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