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Below are some tips to help you have a successful halaqa or youth group. Have a tip to share? Email us!
Balance
You need the perfect balance of knowledge and fun. Too little fun and it'll be boring! It's great to laugh and have a good time during halaqas and learn at the same time.
Numbers
Don't worry if only two girls come to your halaqa. Quality is more important than quantity. As long as one person found it beneficial, that's all that matters.
Confidence
Be confident. If you're nervous speaking, practice before your first halaqa. Confidence, eye contact, and good diction will allow the girls to pay attention and enjoy the talk.
Consistent
Making the halaqa consistent means you'll have better attendance. Having it at the same time and place, if possible, is also a good idea.
Creativity
Include fun activities and creative projects! This will allow the girls to show their creative sides and have fun!
Friendship
Get to know the girls - what grade they're in, their talents, their hobbies, and their personalities. Share things about yourself as well! You will all become friends which is the perfect environment.
Time
Make sure you are on time, and ask the girls to be on time too. That way nobody will have to wait too long to start. Also this will allow everybody to finish on time.
Listen
You will be teaching, but make sure you listen to them. Listen to their ideas, questions, and comments. If you make them feel heard, they'll feel special.
Stories
Don't be bashful about sharing your own stories, so that others learn from it. You can give them the gift of wisdom. It also encourages others to share stories as well.
Relevance
Make sure the topics are relevant to your group, and that your examples and scenarios are realistic to what they may face. Learn about what's "in" so you can relate to them.
Sports
Whether its a capture the flag or a weekend basketball game, include physical activity in your halaqa. Encourage girls to be active and healthy.
Respect
To gain the girls' respect you need to respect them. Respect their ideas, their insecurities, and their stories. And ask all the girls to respect each other.
Ownership
Give the girls a sense of ownership and responsibility. Have them come up with ideas, activities, and topics. Each week, each one can share an aya or hadith, or even lead the halaqa for her peers!
Limits
You are the adult in the room. Make sure everybody is respectful, kind, and keeping it 'halal.' Sometimes you may have to have difficult conversation or call somebody's parents.
Length
Make sure the halaqas aren't too long. The girls may get bored and lose interest. Also try not to "lecture" too much and keep things engaging and interactive.
Snacks
Why not have the girls take turns bringing something in? Pretzels, chocolate or fruit. Yum! As long as your venue allows it!
Humility
Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" if you can't answer a question. Offer to look it up for them or direct them to somebody more knowledgeable. Remember, you don't have to be a scholar.
Tolerant
Your halaqa should be a judgment free zone - nobody is "too Muslim" or "not Muslim enough." Make it an inclusive environment - everybody is on their own path.
Curiosity
Always leave time for questions at the end of your halaqa, and encourage questions throughout! Questions mean that the girls are interested. If you don't have the answer, direct them to somebody who may!
Intentions
Whenever you feel frustrated for a moment, think of Allah (SWT). Remember you intentions of why you started. That will help ground you inshAllah.
Some tips adapted from Muslim Matters article "10 Steps to Build a Youth Department"
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