A Typical Day At ALIM

FAJR--With a gentle rap on their door, students are reminded by the assigned fellow ALIMer to pray Fajr. After making wudu in their rooms, everyone quietly makes their way to the end of their hall to pray salat al-fajr in congrgation (separate for brothers and sisters). Those intending to read Qur'an and/or study do so at the tables or couch in the lounge or back in their rooms.

BREAKFAST & TAJWEED--A couple hours later, the hour-long window for having breakfast begins. After a quick breakfast of bagels, toast, juice or cereal, the ALIM brothers or sisters head for their lesson of tajweed. Perhaps on this day it's the sisters' turn and they're continuing their lesson on the rules of nun saakin. After the lesson, the teacher takes time to listen to each sister practice the rules in their recitation; brothers in the meantime have gotten together on their own to help each other in practicing.

MORNING CLASS--Depending on the day's schedule (detailed in their trusty ALIM packets they received on day one), perhaps after a short break their ALIM classes begin. Earlier this week, the students had begun their intensive course on Seerah (Prophetic Biography) with Dr. Jackson. The Seerah course resumes for two hours, and with a half-hour break (during which some opt to riddle Dr. Jackson with yet more questions instead) begins again for the next hour and half until lunchtime.

LUNCH--During lunchtime, everyone is still abuzz with some moving or intriguing aspect of Seerah Dr. Jackson had engaged them in. Between bites of their Chicken Parmesan or Gyro sandwich (halal, courtesy of a contract with Midamar), the brothers or the sisters (and whoever's close enough), listens in on the discussion raised by the students sitting at Dr. Jackson's table. Perhaps this afternoon, Dr. Ingrid Mattson is slated to start her course on Islamic Family Law and another table becomes alive with discussion.

ZUHR SALAH--At some point, the cerebral discussions must end. Everyone prepares for salat al-zuhr, heading for salah in congregation in the Lisan classroom where the students with salah set-up duty have the prayer sheets ready. After their quiet, humble, reflective times in prayer, the prayer leader offers a few words of wisdom. Any announcements for the students are made then also.

AFTERNOON BREAK--During the one-hour break before Dr. Mattson's class, some students decide to take an afternoon nap. Others decide on a round of ping-pong or pool in the recreation hall. Other students, anxious on keeping up with their internet world, head for the several internet-enabled computers in the campus library. Those wishing to study or read Qur'an do so in their rooms or in the library or under the majestic willow tree by the pond. Especially on days with a longer afternoon break, the soft noise of the fountain, the swishing sound of ducks swimming, and the summer breeze gently rustling the trees become perfect accompaniments to a walk around the pond, some quiet time on the bench, a deep conversation in the gazebo -- or a mean game of soccer.

AFTERNOON CLASS--Capitalizing on the momentum of morning class and lunch tempered by the quiet session of salah and a one-hour break, Dr. Mattson's class begins. Her informative, powerpoint-packed lecture is shorter than the morning one, breaks for a half hour, and then continues for an hour until `Asr salah.

`ASR SALAH & DINNER--After their congregational prayers in the Lisan classroom, the spiritually-satiated and mentally-overloaded ALIMers turn their attention to baser pursuits as they head for the cafeteria. As with lunch, the caterer manages an impressive array of American foods. Along with the staples of the salad bar with the soup of the day, the entree line features a different combination of foods. Sometimes, students line up to assemble their own tacos or deli sandwiches; other times, they dollop gravy on their mashed potatoes next to their roast beef. On this day, it's fresh mex as everyone lines up with their cafeteria trays to select from enchiladas, bean dip (need a full meal plan). The frozen yoghurt machine has been started up too, and the more opportunistic ALIMers already have acquired the choiciest pieces of brownies for dessert.

EVENING BREAK--Twice a week, ALIM opens their program to the surrounding community to host evening lectures with a core or guest instructor on a topic they are qualified to speak on, and that is considered pertinent to our place on the time-space continuum. Past lectures include: "Overview of Early American Religious Movements: Lessons for American Muslims" (Dr. Ingrid Mattson), "The American Dream and Indigenous-Immigrant Relations" (Imam Siraj Wahhaj & Imam Zaid Shakir), and "Does Islam Oppress Women?" (Dr. Jamal Badawi). This day, however, due to the intense class schedule, ALIMers enjoy a one and half hour break until Maghrib salah, during which they wind down their day with the usual break activities, in addition to hastily consuming their nights & weekend cell phone allowances.

MAGHRIB SALAH & TALKS--Maghrib Salah is the last activity done as a whole group (`Isha salah is done in segragated congregations in the dormitory lounges). In a solemn farewell to extra day that has passed in their lives, and to foster reflection on the day's activities and lessons, the ALIMer assigned with providing the "Qur'an and Contemplation" talk for the evening addresses peers of their gender. This is designed to be unstructured and more relaxed, so this day you find the sisters doing theirs on the outside steps of the building lobby, and the brothers on the field amid the concerted chirps of the crickets.

`ISHA SALAH & AFTER--`Isha Salah in congregation is scheduled separately for brothers and sisters in their respective dorm lounges. Afterwards, their ALIM packets schedule in a "Sleep." However, depending on their counselors and of individual preferences, you might find some ALIMers engaging in lively and (insha'Allah) productive discussion in their rooms, lounges or the recreation hall. Students in the Lisan program in particular will be found in any place conducive to their hours of homework required for their more serious coursework. At any rate, a "lights out" deadline is in effect (at counselor discretion), and ALIMers are back in their rooms, preparing their minds and bodies for an early rise at Fajr and another intensive day of the ALIM program.

NOTE: All of the above depicts a "typical" day at ALIM, and thus doesn't take into account the schedule variations for the day of Jumu`ah, the slightly differing weekend schedule, and the BBQ picnic, field trips, and other off-site activities coordinated and requested by participants.