Help teachers answer questions about Islam – and change the tone of the conversation.
Many teachers are expected to teach about Islam with little or no background in the subject. At the same time, teachers and their pupils are seeing negative headlines and social media content every day.
By visiting a school as a Muslim speaker you give them something they rarely get: a calm, human conversation with a real Muslim they can ask questions to. You also give teachers a lifeline – someone they can contact later when new questions come up.
Muslim RE visitors have a blessed opportunity to defend the image of Islam from misunderstandings and stereotypes, by explaining the truth about Islam, and helping teachers and pupils see Muslims as real people in the community.
What speaking usually involves
- Visiting local schools within a reasonable travel distance from your home.
- Talking about your own experience of faith and the fundamentals of Islam.
- Answering questions – including the awkward and difficult ones – patiently.
- Working alongside teachers and respecting school rules and safeguarding policies.
Who schools are looking for
- Practising Muslims who are patient, calm and able to listen as well as speak.
- People who can wisely answer the usual propaganda against Islam.
- Reliability – if a school books you in, they need to know you will turn up.
- Willingness to receive some guidance and feedback as you start visiting schools.
You might be the best person in your area
With 29,000 schools in the UK, and with so many in rural areas away from Muslim population hubs, its not too surprising that there is a massive shortfall of visitors. We simply are not able to hope someone else will do this for us, but rather we must take responsibility ourselves in our communities.
If you have a good foundational knowledge of Islam, a confident and easygoing manner, and are able to be available in school hours, please apply today. Mentoring is available so you won't feel you are going into this alone.
As the Prophet ﷺ said to the Ṣaḥābah and is true for all Muslims
“Convey from me, even if it is one verse.”
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
Most pupils and teachers simply want to meet an ordinary Muslim who can explain the fundamentals of Islam like tawheed, prayer, importance of charity and fasting. Especially for primary schools the questions will usually be fairly simple and can be asked for in advance if preferred.
This project also aims to bring new speakers together with experienced ones to offer support and guidance. If you are still unsure get in touch about guidance and training before you apply.
Two ways to support this work
If you’re ready, you can apply to become a speaker now.
If that’s not possible for you, you can still support the visitors by helping fund their travel and time so that more of these vital visits happen inshaAllah.
Interested but not sure yet?
Leave your details and we’ll get in touch to talk it through and answer any questions.