|  | |  | Lost at Sea: Connecting with Allah at the Beach By Wendy Díaz Writer and activist Wend Díaz recently took a trip back home to Puerto Rico. She was able to connect with loved ones she had not seen in years and some over a decade. Embracing them was the sweetest part of her trip, but there was another other thing she looked forward to – going to the beach. “The ocean breeze, the rustling palm leaves, and the sparkling turquoise water offer a calm that can only be described as paradise on Earth (at least for me). The beach is my happy place, but it is also my spiritual sanctuary.” Her reflections are a refreshing read about the beauty of nature and the importance of connecting it to our reverence for our Almighty Creator. |
| | | Parenting Tip No matter where we live, the natural world is all around us. Be sure to take time to smell the roses and teach your children to do the same. There is an abundance of physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits for everyone. |
| |  | Connecting to Nature as a Family By Melissa Barreto Families are spending so much time indoors and on tech that it’s setting us back mentally, physically and emotionally, especially our children. The fix is simple – spend more time outside and in nature. Every moment spent together in nature is an opportunity for us to connect to one another while also connecting with our beautiful religion. Here are four simple steps to get started. |
| | | Inspiration “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” Laura Ingalls Wilder, American writer of the popular Little House on the Prairie series |
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|  | The Health Benefits of Playing Outside and Exposure to Soil in Childhood By Sumayya Khan Some of our best memories from childhood are playing outside with our siblings and friends. It may have looked like playing made-up games in the park, hitting or kicking a ball in the alleyway, or even playing in the dirt in your backyard. Not only did we gain much from the ample exercise, social interactions, and growing independence, but our gut’s microbiome benefited as well. Along with what we were born with genetically, our gut microbiome is influenced by our diet, infections, outside bacteria, and plant and soil microbes. Learn more about the importance of exposuring your children to be benefits residing in the dirt beneath our feet. |
| | | Quranic Guidance “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth; the alternation of the day and the night; the ships that sail the sea for the benefit of humanity; the rain sent down by Allah from the skies, reviving the earth after its death; the scattering of all kinds of creatures throughout; the shifting of the winds; and the clouds drifting between the heavens and the earth—˹in all of this˺ are surely signs for people of understanding.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:164) |
| |  | The Many Health Benefits in Nature By Tayaabah Qazi Islam places a significant emphasis on nature and its relationship with humanity. God in the Quran describes the eternal abode for the believers Jannaat (gardens), as places of exquisite and unimaginable beauty. Gardens where believers experience peace and joy in their luxurious environment and services they’ve earned through righteous deeds in their time on Earth. Learn more about the physical, mental and spiritual rewards by increasing our attention to and relationship with the nature. |
| | | Amazing Nature Facts - There are an estimated 3 trillion trees on Earth, which is more than the number of stars in the Milky Way. The oldest trees in the world are Bristlecone pines in the United States that are 4,600 years old.
- Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, growing to be 100 feet long and weighing up to 200 tons. Alligators can grow up to 3,000 teeth in their lifetime as they regrow them when they wear down.
- A tablespoon of dirt contains more organisms than the entire human population.
- About 71% of the earth is water. The oceans hold approximately 96.5% of this water and the ice caps hold about 2%. The remaining water exists in rivers, ponds, glaciers, ice caps, lakes, as water vapor and our taps, among other water bodies. Only 1% of the earth's water is safe for human consumption.
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| |  | Book Review: Foraging with Kids By Melissa Barreto In writer Melissa Barreto’s neighborhood there is a patch of wild thicket that backs up to the townhouse communities. Every Summer, she and her kids walk along this road and snack on the wild raspberries, blackberries, and wineberries. Collecting wild foods or foraging has become a beloved family affair. While it can be fun and produce delicious results, the ventures can also be dangerous. In this article, Barreto reviews one of the manuals she has kept onhand – Foraging with Kids: 52 Wild and Free Edibles to Enjoy with your Children – and encourages other families to check out foraging themselves. |
| | | | | |  | Adam's World Video: Stewards of the Earth Aneesah works to help big brother Adam notice how much energy he is wasting throughout the day. It dawns on him that Allah has appointed us as stewards of the Earth and that comes with responsibility. The Arabic letter “Khaa” for Khalifah and the English letter “S” for Steward are features. A beautiful nashid by Dawud Wharnsby called Stewards of the Earth complements the lesson. (8:48) |
| | |  | | There is still time to register and chart a meaningful summer education plan! |
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|  | The Sound Vision Foundation has been a trusted source of Islamic knowledge for more than 30 years. Our work with the world-renowned puppets Adam and Aneesah pioneered creative programming for Muslim children, encouraging them to learn about and love their religion. We continue to bring sound content and engaging programs that stimulate minds, touch hearts, and strive to fulfill our mission of raising better Muslims, better neighbors, and better citizens. This latest effort is designed to support and empower Muslim parents to do the same. |
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