On March 16, 2005 the American Reference Center (ARC) hosted a hands-on workshop for teachers of Quran and Islamic religious education (Madrasa) from the Alwahaada Muslim Teachers Union. Currently, the union is evaluating Madrasa curricula and is making research a top priority for members of the union.
The Muslim Outreach Librarian and the ARC Director demonstrated freely accessible Internet resources, basic Internet search techniques and tips for evaluating Internet resources. They also discussed other ARC services that are available.
Most of the teachers had little prior exposure to research using the Internet and were amazed at the vast possibilities and potential, particularly in creating mutual understanding among people - for example, they were impressed with the ability to read earlier good will messages from President Bush to the Muslim community; quotes from the President regarding Islam on the White House homepage and the online version of Muslim Life in America on the online Musliim newsletter.
Muslim Outreach Librarian Rukiya Mwinyi and ARC Director George Kamau standing behind students at Nairobi’s American Reference Center. (U.S. Embassy Nairobi)
Muslim Outreach Librarian Rukiya Mwinyi (standing left) and ARC Director George Kamau (standing right), instructing teachers from the Alwahaada Muslim Teachers Union. (U.S. Embassy Nairobi)
