Sis. Nasim: A True Gem
Sister Nasim Hasan is someone a lot of people in the community know and look up to. She is a mother and grandmother and has been an Islamic Studies teacher and mentor for decades. Some teachers in our community, like Ustadh Rehan Mirza, are just one of her students. She used to work with organizations such as MYNA and took her students to MYNA camps. Now, those same students Sister Nasim taught are grown up, have their own kids, and are sending their own kids to MYNA camps.
Sister Nasim lives with her husband and mother-in-law. Some of her hobbies and interests include sewing, cooking, and reading. During the earlier part of her life, she worked at a bank when her kids were young. As they grew up, she switched to teaching Islamic studies at Miami Gardens Masjid and Sanad Prep. She takes care of her mother-in-law when at home.
Sister Nasim says that in the beginning when Sanad was just starting, she offered Ustadh Rehan and Ustadha Attiqa help in anyway she could. She now teaches Islamic studies to students from grades 3-6. She says, “I love to come to Sanad and teach kids Islamic Studies. The kids are very smart, nice, and respectful. It makes me happy to teach them. Everyday my students come to class happy and prepared with paper and pencils and that makes everything feel special.” Sister Nasim says that Sanad gives kids “a much safer environment and it’s easier for kids to interact with each other and their teachers than other schools can offer. Five stars for them!” When talking about Sanad, Sis. Nasim said, “The skills they (the students) learn in Sanad help them in life. Sanad Prep, I think, is the best school or education place for kids to stay connected to their Deen and the Dunya. With the hard work of Brother Rehan and Sister Attiqa, the kids have a wonderful place to learn.” Sr Nasim loves her role as an Islamic Studies teacher. When asked about this, she states, “When I look at my students I think that they gain knowledge and that I did service to the children of the community. I love to serve and teach them.”
Sis Nasim is also a part of the Sanad Trust Guardians program. This program was created to honor the elders in the community and serves as a place for them to have fun and socialize. Sanad Trust hosts a picnic for the Guardians every year, and Sister Nasim is one of the elders who plays an integral role in the event planning. She says that the Guardians picnic is a great way for her and other elders to get together and relax for the day. She says, “The elders can talk to each other about issues they have about their lives or anything else. It gives them time to spend together and have fun.” This program also teaches the youth to show adab and respect to their elders and give them the importance that they deserve. In a question asking about the Guardians Initiative, Sr. Nasim was really appreciative of the program. She said that the program is really engaging and gives back to her generation. “Yes, I think that they’re giving back to the elders. I think people should become more involved with the elders in the community,” she said.
Ustadh Rehan Mirza, executive director of Sanad Trust has known Sister Nasim his whole life, since he was two years old. Growing up, he observed Sister Nasim to be a person who “was always involved in a lot of youth and Masjid activities.” As a kid, Sister Nasim used to teach Ustadh Rehan and make meals for them when they went to MYNA camps. Ustadh Rehan says that the work that Sister Nasim does is awe-inspiring and that she deserves all the respect she can get. He says, “my appreciation is growing every moment that I observe her and have a conversation with her. I’m in awe of all the things she’s done for so many years and the impact she’s had on everyone.”
Ustadh Rehan’s vision for the Guardians program is to help the Guardians feel as if we still care for and respect them. “We want them to feel honor and dignity. We want to remind ourselves and show our children the importance of remaining in their khidma. For the elders, we hope they remain a part of the fabric of the community and that they continue to feel welcome and loved.”
Sis. Nasim and other elders of our community are treasure chests filled with pearls of wisdom for us to take advantage of. It’s our responsibility to make them feel welcome and included in the community as valuable assets. Being a student at Sanad Prep has really reinforced this idea in my mind and it is something I will hold onto forever insha Allah.
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