assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah,

Throughout the month, we’re going to post some thoughts from some staff, volunteers, and students about their experience being at SP.

We’ll start today with thoughts from a few staff members on what motivates them to work for SunniPath and what, to them, is the most special part of working here. Insha’Allah we’ll share what others have to say over the coming weeks.

Hamza Karamali, Instructor:
The SunniPath team is single-mindedly obsessed with its work and its obsession is contagious. If the obsession could speak, it would say to every unsuspecting new team member, ‘You will be assimilated.’

It is hard to find an hour of the day–from before 8 a.m. to past midnight–when the office is empty of someone staring at a computer screen, answering the phone, having a meeting, teaching a class, researching a question, sipping tea, praying, reciting the Quran, and yes, even sleeping (although it’s only the unmarried men who can do that).

Why do I love SunniPath? I guess it’s because I’ve been assimilated.

Sulayman Muhammad Shahnawaz, Assistant Arabic Instructor:
Why I work for SunniPath: because it’s logistically very easy- I leave my house, get in the lift and am at work within 30 seconds — that’s if the lift is working but the stairs don’t take much longer (I really do need the exercise:) ) But seriously: If I was back in England and attempted to teach my local community it would be difficult to get serious students. With SunniPath Allah ta’ala has made it easier for me to teach something of His religion to dedicated students around the globe. InshaAllah they will be a source of my increase and forgiveness. Jazakumullahu khayran.

Saja Ross, Assistant Registrar:
What motivates me to work for SunniPath, it will have to be the fulfillment I get when a student has had a positive registration experience, you hear their happiness in their voice as though they have completed a crucial project. Despite the difficulties of studying online they remain motivated and utilize the best resources they have, wherever it may be to move a step closer to Allah (swt). Then it will have to be the passion that SP brings from its office staff, teaching staff and the students who have regularly taken SP courses.

The most special part of SP to me is that it feels like one big family! Being so far away from family and friends is hard, with SP you get the full package of a family and good religious friends. Despite it been a house of the majanin (as the Arabs call crazy) I think we are quite normal and its my pleasure working with such a great team!