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


The Tea, Tales & Taqwa Book Club is a unique and enriching space for Muslim teen girls who love reading and meaningful conversations. This five-week class blends literature, faith, and cozy gatherings to create a welcoming environment where students can engage in thought-provoking discussions while enjoying… you guessed it… tea! Or any beverage of choice. Each session begins with a student introducing her choice of tea, chai, coffee, or hot chocolate, sharing the recipe with the group and its personal or cultural significance, if there is any. This simple yet heartwarming ritual sets the tone for deep discussions on the book’s themes, characters, and how they connect to Islamic values and real-life experiences. 

Through guided discussions, students will explore essential topics such as identity, friendship, ethical decision-making, and the role of faith in personal growth. Each session includes a "Taqwa Connection", where students reflect on how the book’s themes relate to Islamic teachings, inspiring them to apply these lessons in their daily lives. The book club is more than just a place to read—it’s a space where young Muslim girls can strengthen their faith, develop critical thinking skills, and build lasting friendships in a supportive, like-minded community. Whether you are an avid reader or simply looking for a warm and welcoming space to discuss stories and faith, this book club offers a beautiful blend of literary appreciation, personal growth, and spiritual enrichment. 



Class Outline


Week 1: Welcome to the Book Club & Setting the Tone

In our first session, we’ll set the foundation for a warm and inviting book club experience. After introductions and an icebreaker where each student shares her name and their chosen beverage for the day, sharing its recipe and significance, we’ll dive into our book selection, discussing its themes and what we hope to learn. We’ll reflect on how storytelling strengthens faith and explore how books can inspire personal growth. 


Week 2: Characters, Choices & Consequences 

This week, we’ll analyze the book’s key characters and their decision-making processes, discussing how their choices impact the story and whether their actions align with Islamic values. Students will introduce their beverage of the day and share its recipe before we dive into the discussion. We’ll explore ethical dilemmas faced by the characters and compare them to real-life scenarios, reflecting on how we can use faith as a guide in making decisions. 


Week 3: Themes of Faith & Identity 

Faith and identity are powerful themes in literature and life, and this week, we’ll explore how they are portrayed in our book selection. After our “tea introduction”, we’ll discuss how the characters navigate struggles with identity, self-worth, and belief, comparing these challenges to our own experiences. Through guided reflection, we’ll connect these themes to Islamic teachings on self-awareness, resilience, and purpose. To deepen our personal connection to the book, we’ll discuss a journaling exercise: “If I were a character in this book, what lessons would I learn about faith?” 


Week 4: Friendship, Family & Community  
 
Relationships are at the heart of any good story, and this week, we’ll explore the book’s portrayal of friendships, family dynamics, and community interactions. After our tea introductions, we will have a thoughtful discussion about the importance of these relationships in both literature and our own lives. We’ll analyze the characters’ relationships and compare them to Islamic teachings on friendship, family bonds, and community support. As a group, we’ll brainstorm what an ideal faith-based friendship looks like.


Week 5: Final Reflections & Book Celebration 

Our final session is a celebration of our journey through the book we cover, our discussions, and the connections we’ve built along the way. We will begin as usual with our tea session before we reflect on our favorite moments, key takeaways, and personal growth. We’ll explore the Islamic values we’ve encountered in the book and discuss how we can carry them forward in our lives. To conclude, we will wrap up with a heartfelt closing dua for seeking beneficial knowledge.

Class Activity Materials

Tea, or any beverage of choice (chai, coffee, hot chocolate etc.)

Required Book


A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqi

Get it HERE

Class Day & Time

Mondays 5:00 - 6:00 pm CST 

Session dates: April 21st - May 19th 

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. 

Tea, Tales & Taqwa Book Club

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

Instructor

Anse Saffiyya Mohammed

Anse Saffiyya Mohammed was born and raised in the twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago, in the Caribbean, where she still resides. She holds a BSc. in Environmental and Natural Resource Management with a minor in Marine Biology, and currently works in sales and marketing. Her Rabata journey began in 2016, as she was searching for Muslim women’s voices in literature, online spaces, and the deen, and came across Anse Tamara and Ribaat, an answered dua, and the lifeline that is Rabata. She hopes to continue along her Rabata journey of learning, open the Caribbean chapter so other women can be part of this amazing community, learn and thrive. She aspires be a part of the rising tide of female scholars, and tell the stories of Caribbean Muslim female scholars. She enjoys reading, traveling - especially retreats and meeting diverse Muslim women from around the globe.