English School for Expatriates in Najaf-E-Ashraf, Iraq

BAB-UL-ILM English School for expatriates in Najaf-E-Ashraf, Iraq

Najaf-E-Ashraf has always been centre of religious studies since decades as "Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibne Abi Talib (as) city and also for the elegance associated with its title of “Bab-Ul-Ilm”. Unfortunately during the shattering era of Saddam (LA) regime, the religious studying centres were regularly targeted and destroyed enforcing the closures; nevertheless only few students could remain there and continued.

Once the new regime took over, the students started to come back again to Najaf-E-Ashraf with their families to quench their thirst of Islamic Education. The average length of stay of a scholar in Najaf-E- Ashraf is 15 years, and the majority of them are married staying with families.

One of the major problems of these students whilst residing in Najaf-E-Ashraf is the education of their children due to improper English educational institutes in and around Najaf-E-Ashraf. Hence, it is significant to support the development of a school which instructs in English (with Urdu) medium and register it with local authorities and an internationally recognized curriculum board.

One of the concerned Pakistani national, a student Sheikh Ahmed Hussain along with his associate took a start with very limited resources and founded the “Bab-Ul-Ilm Public School Trust” to establish Bab- Ul-Ilm Public School in 2008. The key purpose for establishing the school is to cater children from non- Arabic-speaking communities, especially those from Indian and Pakistani origin.

In July 2011, Mr. Syed Saif Ali Naqvi, Pakistan origin from Muscat visited Iraq for Ziyarat and with the help of Shaikh Ali Najafi son of Ayatullah Shaikh Bashir Najafi who is running Anwaar-e-Najaf Foundation tried to reach the school administration, however upon the meeting it was clearly understood that the school needs an experienced educationist to bring it to a proper educational institute with following requirements:- - A qualified and experienced Principal. - Qualified and trained teachers. - A proper premise (i.e: School Building). - Registration with Pakistani Federal Education Board. - Furnishing class rooms. - Teaching aids

In this connection, Lt. Col (rtd) Ghulam Hassan Naqvi, Chairman and Managing Trustee of Human Development Trust, Pakistan visited Najaf-E-Ashraf and provided a feasibility report. Upon his feedback a premises for school was rented for 2 years starting 19-10-11 and expiring 21-10-13 and the same building lease further extended for 10 months. Meanwhile a committee was formed by Lt. Col (rtd) Ghulam Hassan Naqvi to select a qualified and experienced principal to run the school. Mr. Qalb e Abbas from Pakistan joined as Principal on 27-12- 12.

Followings are the current status of Bab-Ul-Ilm school:-

- Present building is insufficient to accommodate the strength of 172 children out of which 94 males and 78 females. - Most of the teachers are the wives of students of Hawza’s and not the trained teachers. - Classrooms lack basic furniture such as desks and chairs. - Proper tools and training aids for Teachers. - School to be registered with appropriate local Iraqi authority and Pakistan Federal Educational Board. - Unless the school is registered, proper trained teachers cannot be recruited due to the absence of visas. - The Pakistan Federal Educational Board and local Iraqi authority requested to demonstrate sufficient capacity, appropriate learning environment, and availability of trained skillful teaching staff. - 21 children were unable to even pay the fee, Alhamdulillah a well-wisher paid their 1 year i.e. 2013- 2014 fee for all 21 children i.e. US$ 2016. BUDGET / REQUIREMENTs:

- A proper new premise/building to be hired. - Proper trained teachers to be hired/recruited. - Furnishing and teaching aids to be purchased. - Cost for renting a premise……………………………………………. US$ 2000/- per month - Wages for 1-Principal, 10-Teachers and 1-clerk …..……………… US$ 7000/- per month - Wages for 1-farash and 1-nanny for small kids…………………… US$ 500/- per month - Stationery and other miscellaneous requirements……………… US$ 1000/- per month a) Accumulated financial requirements per month………...… US$ 10,500/- per month b) After deduction of total monthly fee i.e. 8 x 172 approx. (-) US$ 1,400/- per month (a - b) Total Financial support required on a monthly basis US$ 9,100/- per month

The monthly fee being charged from the student is US$ 8/- pm which is not even sufficient for the salary of 1 staff and 100% of the children attending school are the siblings of Hawza students who have a meager income of Shahriya from Maraj-E-Ikram could not afford to pay the fee to bring the school at break even.

Hence a continuous sponsorship is required on a monthly expenses for a sum US$ 9100/- at present.

CONTACT DETAILS:- S-No Name Tel. No. E-Mail ID 1 Shaikh Ahmed Hussain 00964 7704393272 [email protected] 00964 7700937840 2 Fida Ali Shaikh Zada 00964 7708000613 [email protected] 00964 7800147956 3 Syed Qalbe Abbas Mohsin 00964 7705967139 [email protected]