It’s 12:15 on a Monday afternoon.  Class-by-class, students pour into our large Social Hall which doubles as the School Cafeteria.  Here, the students gather together to refuel their bodies and socialize with their classmates and students from other grades. 

Lunch always begins with the duaa before eating:  “Allahumma barik lana fi ma razaqtana waqina athabannar bismillah Ar-Rahaman Af-Rahim” (“Oh Allah, bless what you have provided for us and protect us from the torment of the Hellfire.  In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) 

After reciting the duaa, the students reach anxiously into their lunch boxes to find out what has been  packed for them.  The children love to socialize with each other as they chatter away between bites:

“What did you bring today?”  Habeeb asks his friend, Adam.

“A bagel with cream cheese, some carrots, a peach, and juice,” Adam responds.  “How about you?’’

“I have a chicken kebab, cucumbers, kiwi, and some bottled water,” answers Habeeb.

At another table, Fatima sees Aminah taking something interesting out of her lunch box.  “That looks yummy,” she says.  “What is it?”

“It’s my favorite,’’ Aminah answers.  “Falafel with lettuce and tomatoes on pita bread.  I have vanilla yogurt, too!”

From Monday through Thursday, there is always a wide array of foods spread out on the tables, representing the various cultural backgrounds of our students.  Lunches are brought from home each day except on Fridays when pizza is served as a special  treat for the boys and girls.

As the students eat, the teachers walk around from table-to-table talking to the students and helping them as needed.  Even at lunchtime, the children are still learning as the teachers reinforce Islamic manners, good nutrition, and the importance of not wasting food.

After finishing eating, the students thank Allah SWT for His provision saying: "Alhamdu lillah illa-thi at'amana wa saqana wa ja'alana muslimeen." (All thanks are to Allah, Who provided food and drink for us and guided us to Al-Islam) for unch and before one of the students’ favorite activities of the day, RECESS!