Bismillahirrahmanirrahim…

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

First and foremost, I would like to thank Abedeen Academy for giving the opportunity for me to say a few words on this auspicious occasion.

We are all gathered here to see how far our children have progressed and achieved over the past year in Abedeen Academy. The theme the “First Bloom” for the Academy’s first Ihtifal is most appropriate indeed.

Frankly speaking, when I first decided to send my daughter Farhah to this school, I had wondered whether I had made the right decision or not. Abedeen Academy was a new institution then and has not established its name in education. Even on the first day of school, those thoughts were still there when we set foot into the school building and saw that some areas of the school were still under work progress.

Brushing away those doubts, I sincerely believe in what Puan Qutren Nada and her team of educators was aspiring to build – an institution providing a great education embedding Islamic values, shared heritage and academic excellence, in developing world class leaders. I had not regretted my decision of sending Farhah to this school, as I have seen the progress that she has made and the skills she has acquired. Alhamdulillah… Indeed, I had seen the “First Bloom”.

Students of Abedeen Academy,

Allah has given you the opportunity to grow to become someone great. Aim to be that person who not only excels in this world, but also in the hereafter. Fill your heart with Iman, strengthen your faith, as that is what will shape you. Love your parents and respect your teachers. Continue to seek knowledge as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had said in hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari: “Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make a path to Paradise easy for him”. John C. Maxwell, a leadership thinker, quoted: success is… knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others.

Teachers of Abedeen Academy,

We, parents of our children, your students, are very hopeful that you will help bring out the best of our children’s abilities and personalities. Thank you for being a part of our children’s lives as half of their weekdays spent are with you. We value your feedback on our children and hope that together we would nurture them to become Muslims with strong faith, good character with a sound academic background. Aristotle once quoted: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all”. I believe that the teachers at Abedeen Academy teach from their heart, not just from the book. May your passion for teaching continue to water the seeds of today in order to grow and bloom into the flowers of tomorrow.

Parents of Abedeen Academy students,

As parents, we desire the best education for our children. We want them to go to the best schools, get good grades and grow into successful adults. However, we must not forget that our children’s education starts from home. We are our children’s first teachers. Our children’s success depends not only on their effort and their teachers’, but also on the love, support and encouragement that we give. As parents, we struggle on a daily basis, balancing our busy career and family life. However, we ought to find the time to be involved with our children’s education.

Your presence today is a sign of your support, not only for your children, but also to Abedeen Academy. I am sure your presence today means a lot to them.

At the end of the day, what we parents really want from our children is not just to see them achieve success in this life, but to have them love and respect us, and remember to make du’a for us when leave this world.

I sincerely believe Abedeen Academy could help us shape our children into a good successful Muslim that we aspire them to be. Alhamdulillah, the “First Bloom” has happened. May Allah continue to guide us throughout our lives, protect us and shower us with mercy, wealth, good health and much happiness. Aamiin.

Thank you.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.