Who we are
Dar al-Zahra (UK) is a community charitable organisation that is run by women and serves women in Liverpool, UK and beyond.
Our principles
- Knowledge
- Practice
- Da’wah
Our principles are based upon three fundamentals: knowledge, practice and Da’wah.
Our vision
To produce Muslim women scholars and leaders of the future through fostering an environment that allows young women to explore their faith based upon traditional knowledge and practice.
Our core values
We are a Sunni based centre of learning.
We do not exclude other faiths or other denominations of Islām from participating in our activities, but our curriculum and activities revolve around traditional Sunni Islamic practice.
Our activities of learning have been designed to give young women a sense of what it means to be Muslim and gain insight into their own selves and their place in society as a young Muslim woman living in the UK.
Our charitable objectives
-
One
To advance in life and relieve needs of young women in Liverpool and the surrounding areas, particularly but not exclusively those of the Muslim faith, through:
- (a) The provision of recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life;
- (b) Providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.
-
Two
To advance the Muslim faith by means of, but not exclusively, the provision of Islamic education in accordance with the teachings of the Qur’an.
-
Three
To promote and protect the mental health/wellbeing of young women in Liverpool and the surrounding areas, particularly but not exclusively those of the Muslim faith, through the provision of support, education and practical advice.
What we teach
Subjects covered will vary depending on the course taken. Some key areas we focus on in Liverpool are listed here.
- Qur’an and Tajwīd
- Aqīdah (Creed)
- Sīrah (Prophetic Biography)
- Fiqh (Jurisprudence)
- Adab (Spirituality)
- Sports
- Arts and Drama
- Khidmah (Community Service)
Safeguarding and photographs
Photographs and social media
Dar al-Zahra (UK) does not permit photographs, video or audio recordings of students and staff to be uploaded to any social media platform or shared amongst other people. This measure is in place to safeguard the young women in our care and the privacy of the staff that work at Dar al-Zahra.
Child protection
Dar al-Zahra has a legal responsibility to follow Child Protection Procedure Guidelines. Dar al-Zahra will follow its Safeguarding Procedure as outlined in its Safeguarding Policy. In the event that a concern relates to an alleged abuse of a student by a member of staff or a volunteer, Dar al-Zahra will follow the Guidance of the Liverpool Safeguarding Children’s Board.
Our logo and its meaning
The Dar al-Zahra (UK) logo incorporates the three fundamentals at the core of its work: Knowledge, Practice and Teaching (Da’wah).
The dome
The dome represents the source of sacred knowledge, the Messenger of God ﷺ. It points towards the heavens, the qiblah (direction) of the soul.
The chain
Nestled within the protection of the dome is a chain which represents the chain of transmission of sacred knowledge from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to the teacher, and from the teacher to the student.
The womb
The image formed by this chain represents two things.
Firstly, it symbolises the womb area of the woman, which is where new life starts in every age. The seeds falling from the womb represent the practice and teaching of sacred knowledge, and the continuation of its transmission from generation to generation. Like the dome, the womb in the logo points towards the heavens in acknowledgement that its higher purpose is connection to the Divine.
The book
Secondly, the image formed by the chain signifies the leaves of a tree which is firmly established upon the roots of knowledge. This is represented by an open book bearing the three pages of Islām, Īmān and Iḥsān. The leaves also represent fertility, growth, life, and fruition, reflecting the practice and teaching of sacred knowledge.
The seeds
The seeds in this metaphor also symbolise the perpetuation of sacred knowledge that comes from a strong chain of transmission. From these seeds, future trees will grow, in time scattering their own seeds for life to continue and spread. All of this is enveloped by the dome of the Messenger of God ﷺ.
The crescent
The crescent moon on top of the dome represents new beginnings, and the renewal of the soul’s intentions as it ascends towards its purpose and goal.
We thank sister Fatima Sari of Mina and Moo Designs (Etsy) for her efforts in bringing to life Dar al-Zahra’s mission and purpose in this beautiful logo.
Begin with one class
Courses for women and girls, online and in Liverpool.