RabaTEENS is a nurturing space for deep and meaningful Islamic spiritual mentorship with compassionate and caring mentors. We design fun, creative, and positive educational experiences to help teens grow confidently and comfortably into their faith.


Class Description


Did you know that a Muslim engineer experimented with flight centuries before the Wright brothers? Or that hospitals, algebra, and even the scientific method have roots in Islamic civilization? 

'Brilliant Minds: Muslim Trailblazers Who Changed the World' is a five-week course designed to reconnect Muslim teen girls with their rich legacy of scientific discovery and innovation. Too often, school textbooks overlook the contributions of Muslim scholars, leaving young Muslims unaware of the impact their ancestors had on shaping the world. This class will uncover the forgotten history of Muslim pioneers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and highlight the brilliant minds—both men and women—who paved the way for modern advancements. 

Islam has always encouraged the pursuit of knowledge, and this class will show how faith and science are deeply connected rather than opposing forces. Students will explore how being a scientist, doctor, or engineer can be an act of worship and a way to serve humanity, and discuss the contributions of figures like Fatima Al-Fihri, Ibn Sina, Al-Jazari, and more. By studying the work of these role models, students will see that religious scholarship and scientific achievement are not separate paths, but complementary ones that strengthen one another. 

Through engaging discussions, interactive activities, and hands-on projects, students will not only learn about these historical contributions but also envision themselves as future changemakers in STEM. This class aims to provide an inspiration for young Muslim girls to recognize their potential in science and technology—and feel empowered, knowing that they, too, can contribute to the world just as many Muslim trailblazers have for centuries.  



Class Outline


Week 1: The Golden Age of Muslim Innovation

In our first week, we will explore the Golden Age of Muslim Innovation, a time when Islamic civilization became a global leader in scientific discovery and critical thinking. Students will learn how Islam encouraged the pursuit of knowledge, leading to groundbreaking advancements in various fields. 

Get to know: 

  • Fatima Al-Fihri (Founder of the first university in the world) 
  • Al-Khwarizmi (Father of algebra and algorithms) 
  • Al-Farabi (Philosopher-scientist who linked logic, science, and faith) 
  • Ibn al-Haytham (Father of optics and the scientific method) 


Week 2: Masters of Medicine & Healing 

This week, we will dive into the world of medicine and healthcare, exploring how Muslim scientists revolutionized healthcare and transformed the fields of surgery, pharmacology, and mental health. 

Get to know: 

  • Ibn Sina (Father of modern medicine and author of “The Canon of Medicine”) 
  • Al-Zahrawi (Pioneer of surgical tools and techniques) 
  • Rufaida Al-Aslamia (First Muslim nurse and medical organizer) 


Week 3: Engineering, Chemistry & Everyday Impact 

From early robotics to aviation, this week will focus on Muslim engineers, chemists, and inventors whose creations continue to impact our daily lives. Through their stories, students will discover how Muslim scholars applied knowledge to create practical solutions for their time and beyond. 

Get to know: 

  • Al-Jazari (Father of robotics and mechanical engineering) 
  • Abbas Ibn Firnas (Aviation pioneer who experimented with early flight) 
  • Jabir Ibn Hayyan (Father of chemistry and the scientific method)  


Week 4: Math, Maps & the Cosmos  
 
This session will highlight how Muslim scholars revolutionized mathematics, navigation, and exploration. Students will discover how Muslim scholars helped map and measure the world, making global exploration possible. 

Get to know: 

  • Al-Khwarizmi (Father of algebra and algorithms, key to modern computing) 
  • Al-Idrisi (Cartographer and geographer who created world maps) 
  • Mariam Al-Ijliya (Inventor of the Astrolabe, an early GPS system) 
  • Ibn Battuta (Legendary Muslim explorer who traveled 75,000+ miles)


Week 5: From Past to Future – Becoming the Next Innovators 

In our final week, we will explore the contributions of modern Muslim scientists and Nobel Prize winners, connecting past innovations to present breakthroughs. By the end of this session, students will be able to see how they too are capable of making a lasting impact on the world and be the next generation of Muslim innovators. 

Get to know: 

  • Hayat Sindi (Biotechnologist developing life-saving medical tests) 
  • Eman Ghoneim (Geologist using satellites to find hidden rivers) 
  • Nergis Mavalvala (Astrophysicist working on gravitational waves) 


Muslim Nobel Prize Winners in Science: 

  • Abdus Salam (Physics, 1979) – Contributions to electroweak theory in physics. 
  • Ahmed Zewail (Chemistry, 1999) – Pioneer of femtochemistry (ultrafast chemical reactions). 
  • Aziz Sancar (Chemistry, 2015) – Discovered how cells repair DNA damage.

Class Activity Materials

None 

Required Book

None

Class Day & Time

Sundays 4:00 - 5:00 pm CST 

Session dates: April 20th - May 18th 

Students must attend Zoom live sessions. Classes are NOT recorded.


*Enrollment into the RabaTEENS program is on a per-student basis. If two (or more) students are planning to attend a class together by sharing a screen, each student will need to enroll for class individually. 

**RabaTEENS programs are for girls aged 12-17 ONLY. Students are required to be 12 already in order to join any of RabaTEENS programs.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be given to students who complete the class.

Refund Policy

No refunds are issued once the session begins. 

Brilliant Minds: Muslim Trailblazers Who Changed the World

Meets once a week for one hour (5-week session)

Instructor

Anse Fozia Bashir

Anse Fozia Bashir spent the first years of her life in the UAE, Pakistan, the UK, and China before her family moved to the USA. She calls herself a global citizen. Anse Fozia holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences and an MA in Geography, with a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She works as a GIS analyst for an environmental consulting company. Anse Fozia joined the Ribaat program in 2014 and, in 2024, graduated from the Ribaat Academic Institute, receiving her Ribaat Teacher Certification in August 2024. She has previously helped set up a play-based co-op for toddlers called Fitrah Co-op and ensured its smooth operation. She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her two kids. She homeschools one of them, while her toddler tags along for the ride. Over the years, Anse Fozia has volunteered for Ribaat in various capacities. Recently, she has been serving as an advisor for future graduates. In her spare time, she enjoys taking long walks with kids and friends, and sharing information about Ribaat.