• Courses are for women only and are taught by qualified female teachers in small comfortable groups.

• Habiba courses are affordable. The courses are mobile so they can be studied in any area where a teacher is available.

• Habiba understands the needs of women and courses are flexible so students decide the day and time when they would like to study and can take a gap in between modules as required.

• Class sizes are kept to a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 so that students can be given individual attention, as well as learn effectively in pairs and small groups.

• Habiba tutors employ many effective teaching techniques (including traditional and modern methods) and are continuously developing their language teaching skills via training.

• Habiba tutors record each student's achievements and progress in Individual Learning Plans and assess their potential in order to maximise learning outcomes.

• Courses run over a set period and cover a set syllabus, so students know exactly what they should achieve on completion of each module.

• Habiba Institute is continuously developing and adding new modules in Islamic sciences according to the needs of the Muslim community.

What do the students say about Habiba courses?

Arabic Student

'I would recommend Habiba as it has an open, friendly learning environment which is flexible to students needs. Teachers are supportive and have a passion for students success! May Allah reward you for your good work.'

Shamim Fazal

Tajwid Student

'My aspiration when I joined my first tajweed class with the Habiba Institute was to improve my recitation of the Qur'an. I had been taught to "read" the Qur'an as a child in the traditional manner at a madrassah i.e. without the correct pronunciation of the Arabic letters and without applying any rules of tajweed. Over the past few years I have worked steadily through the tajweed modules offered by Habiba and having just completed module 4, Alhamdulillah I feel there has been a marked improvement in my recitation. I felt the logical next step would be to recite the Qur'an from start to finish to someone learned in tajweed; so imagine my joy when I was informed that I had been accepted onto Habiba's Ijazah programme! Insha'Allah this year, one of their teachers qualified to give ijazah will listen to one complete reading of the Qu'ran, ensuring that I have applied all the tajweed rules.

And all this in a female only environment, and taught only by sisters Alhamdulillah!

As the Prophet (saw) said, the best of you is the one who learns the Qur'an and then teaches it.'

Sophia Subhan

University Administrator

Calligraphy Student

"I found the course extremely enjoyable. However I was amazed at how much I had to learn. I very quickly realised a lot of concentration and patience is required if you want to take the course seriously and truly learn the skill correctly. Each letter has many rules which have to be adhered to in order to ensure the letter is written to perfection. Sister Um Muhammad took us through the history of calligraphy and provided us with impressive knowledge of the famous Islamic calligraphists. I thoroughly enjoyed this learning experience.

As the weeks progressed and I started to see my work improve; this provided me with increased determination to continue with this art. I also enjoyed the class-based learning, being able to interact with other students in an Islamic environment, praying salat together during our breaks and making new friends with lovely sisters of different ages and professions.

Sister Um Muhammad is an excellent teacher. She is very assertive, ensuring each student does complete the required tasks and does take the course seriously. However she also has a very approachable and friendly style of teaching which made the course more enjoyable. On a weekly basis she provided regular feedback, providing attention to each student. She also introduced some games in some sessions to test our knowledge of the history and test our practical skill. All students seemed to enjoy this style a lot.

I was extremely pleased to receive my certificate at the end of the course and have made the intention to continue learning calligraphy. I hope Sister Um Muhammad is able to start the next level of the calligraphy course. I will definitely be signing up for it InshaAllah!"

Student - Sister Tabassam Hussain
Profession - Knowledge Manager & Business Development, Company - Ernst & Young

Why the name 'Habiba'?

The name Habiba was chosen because:

• It is a female name which is apt for an institute for women taught by women.
• The root letters of the word 'habiba' are related to 'hubb' or 'muhabba' meaning 'love'. When there is love for something every difficulty becomes easy by virtue of this love. As an Arab poet once said, "With love, the eye of a needle becomes as vast as a field. In the absence of love, the vast field becomes the size of an eye of a needle."'
• Another root of Habiba is 'habb' meaning 'seed. The aim of Habiba courses is to plant the seed for seeking Sacred Knowledge. Arabic is a means to this end.
• Another root of Habiba is 'Habaab' meaning goal. Habiba aims to be goal orientated and encourage the students to aspire to that goal: Allah, who in return will open up ways unto Him.