Muslim MNetters, anyone who can speak Arabic

[Blandmum]

A plea for help.

I have a new student aged 11. her first language is Arabic. Her english is not too bad, but she does need quite a bit of support. She is a charming child, who is finding scince hard, beause of understanding the language.

I work in a mixed sex, comprehensive school that is 98% White intake. I have no muslim members of staff to assist me, or older stuents that I can call on for help, so I am asking you smashing people to help me out

First thing, we are covering reproduction atm. What a topic to come into the class on! Poor child, they are all a bit twitchy over it as it is

So, are there any muslim cultural issues, sensitivities that I should be aware of? I know that sex during the menstrual period is not encouraged. But that is all I know IYSWIM. Is it 'normal' for mother's to have discussed this with girls of this age I realise you can't generalise that much....what I'm asking is is this something that just 'isn't done', so menstruation will come as a shock. I do know that the age of the first MP can be earlier in middle eastern girls, but she is quite tiny, so I'm assuming she hasn't started yet

I have to teach this, I don't have an option, but I want to be sensitive to the girls needs.

In addition are there any words in arabic that you could spell out phoneticaly for things like, baby, pregnancy, blood, menstrual period, that I can use to support her. I wouldn't expect her to know the anatomical names for things like fallopian tubes etc......we don't expect that from the english as a first language kids, but some basic vocab would be a HUGE help.

Many, many thanks, I don't want to make an ass of myself and say anything that would upset this little girl

MB- I hope you get a much speedier reply, but if not let me know and I will e-mail my Professor (of Islam) who may well have a surce of hgelp for you.

Sorry I can't offer more though.

Thank you so much. I don't want the very high level anatomical words, as I will have to teach her those in english anyway (I have to teach them all IYSWIM) but if I could have a few of the more 'homely' words, It might make things easier for her.

If anyone else could her, pointing out areas whet I might inadvertanly cause offence, I'd be greatful for that info too

Bump, anyone?

perhaps you could email or phone this school ?????

Name of school:
Manchester Muslim Preparatory School

DfES ref number:
352/6041

Type of school:
Muslim Day School

Status:
Independent

Age range of pupils:
3 - 11 years

Gender of pupils:
Mixed

Number on roll (full-time pupils):
Boys 83,
Girls 103,
Total 186

Annual fees (day pupils):
Main school:
£2, 856,
£2, 427.60 (1st sibling),
£2, 142 (2nd sibling)
Nursery
£3, 190,
£2, 711.50 (1st sibling),
£2, 392.50 (2nd sibling)

Address of school:
551 Wilmslow Road

Withington

Manchester

Lancashire M20 4BA

E-mail address:
[email protected]

Telephone number:
0161 445 5452

Fax number:
0161 445 2283

Headteacher:
Mrs T Amin

Proprietor:
Manchester Islamic Schools Trust

Lead Inspector:
Mrs M Messaoudi

Dates of inspection:
22 - 25 November 2004

Thank you for that!

\link{http://www.islamic-knowledge.com/Arabic_Language.htm#Arabic Language\here is loads more info}

\link{http://www.islamic-knowledge.com/Arabic_Language.htm#Arabic Language\here will try again}

Martian, I don't know where you live but would your local council have a translation service or how about a community group for Muslim women?

even batter

Anyone know if it is usual for mums to discuss this sort of thing prior to periods starting, how much info is given traditionaly etc. Is the culture open to this sort of discussion among women etc

Don't want to seem stupid, but I don't know wmat muslim cultural 'norms' are on this. I fully realise that families will vary, just like UK ones.....I just don't want to upset this child

will it work this time

In the bit of the east midlans I am in, there is little assistance, and my next lesson is on Wednesday!

So I was looking for a little quick info, if anyone had any

If you put

MUSLIM FAMILY TRADITIONS

into GOOGLE you get loads of things

not sureif this will help

Hiya MB

Any luck yet?

found this in my text book (world religions, an intro for students- the section on Islam by David Norcliffe, who is my lecturer):

"Western Society, with the accent on individual liberty, can appear a threat and embarassment to all the Muslims hold dear. This is particularly true in the area of sexuality..... sex education lessons in Bristish Schools teach 'Safe Se' and instruct the children on various methods of contraception. Most Muslims are opposed to this. As one parent at a conference stated:It is the nature of men and women to know what to do when the right time is blessed by marriage'

Also girls and boys should be educated separetely after the 'sexual urge' has arisen (is it a mixed calss MB?), period blood is unclean but NOT a menstruating woman although she is allowed not to participate in fasting etc, more as an act of kindness than anything else.

Others {Muslim parents) dislike their children having to participate in.... and inparticular sex education'

Have you tried the Muslim Council? here they may be your best, and fastest bet. However, where is Peacedove when needed?????

It is a mixed class....mostly girls but there are some boys. the school is mixed as well....the parents would be well aware of this when they aplied, I would imagine.

The girl has just arrived, and this is the first subject I am teaching her, so you can imagine! I did make it clear what would be taught next lesson....If there a probelm I would hope she would discuss it with her family.

What we teach are the biological facts, but it is quite 'in your face', with a video of childbirth....the Robert Winstone one that was on TV. We use diagrams of sexual organs etc.

Oh hell, I hope this isn't going to be difficult for her

MB, I wrote a piece a while ago which covered the \link {http://www.myh.org.uk\Muslim Youth Helpline}, which might be worth giving a quick ring to.

Also the muslim women's helpline is clearly more of a crisis line but again might be worth a ring.

Thanks for the help

DH was brought up in a Muslim Arab country and remember him telling me once that basic sex education was taught at school to both boys and girls. The sexes where segregated for the lessons and I don't think they discussed contraception in much detail.

Hi,

Just looked at this thread, hope I can help.

This issue came up last year with our school's Science Teacher as we had to edit the medium term plan for reproduction.

If you can give me a few days, (or less baby permitting)I will do my best to help and email you what I can come up with.
Alternatively, CAT me and I can give you a call/email you. Hope that helps.

For the time being:

Baby - Baby or Tifl
Pregnancy - Haml
Period - Hayd

There may be other words. PinkMagic could your DH do some translation too. My Arabic is pretty poor nowadays.

Thank you so much for this. Feel free to cat me

Sorry I have not replied before, but have been in hospital with dd

I'm sure DH will translate if he can. CAT me if you need anything.

Thank you for this. I have been thwarted in my aims, as ds has shingles and is off school until after half term!

I may well contact you after that , if you don't mind?