11:00 Summer should never be…16:56 Parents Are the first…
Youth & educationFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 3, 2026.

Summer should build faith and character

IAR Atwater · Badawy

“Summer should never be viewed as a break from education.”

The khateeb, at 11:00

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Summer should be treated not as a suspension of responsibility but as a God-given opportunity to invest time in faith, learning, family relationships, community, and children's moral identity.

The khutbah in 4 steps

  1. Summer's free time creates opportunities and risks, especially amid digital influence and diverse cultures.
  2. Parents and communities must plan children's education, worship, character formation, and Islamic identity.
  3. Families should limit screen time and include worship, reading, halaqahs, camps, nature, travel, and family visits.
  4. Consistent family and community efforts, rather than occasional reminders, sustain faith and identity.
Try this week
Create a structured summer plan for children and families.
Enroll children in Islamic education, summer camps, halaqahs, libraries, or community programs.
Limit children's screen time and supervise their digital activities.
Schedule worship, Quran and Sunnah learning, reading, outdoor activities, travel, and family visits.
Spend intentional one-on-one time with each child and with one's spouse.
Model faith, care, and responsibility as parents.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 103Used to argue that time must be valued and invested in faith and righteous action.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Summer should never be Viewed as a Break from education”
IAR Atwater · Southwest Raleigh, NC
Play from 11:00
“Parents Are the first teachers Before anyone else Are the role model For the children”
IAR Atwater · Southwest Raleigh, NC
Play from 16:56
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that summer is not empty time; it is a gift and a responsibility. Families should use it to grow closer to Allah, keep learning, strengthen character and Islamic identity, and spend meaningful time together. Parents are their children's first teachers, so they should make a balanced plan with worship, reading, camps or halaqahs, outdoor activities, family visits, and limited screen time. The imam also reminds communities to offer programs that help families carry this responsibility. Small, consistent efforts throughout the summer can help children feel loved, guided, and connected to their faith.

  1. What is one screen-free activity our family could plan this week?
  2. How can we make summer both enjoyable and a time for learning or worship?
  3. What does it look like for a parent to be a role model?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Association of Raleigh, Atwater Campus808 Atwater St, Raleigh, NC 27607Jumu'ah 1st shift 11:30 AM · 2nd shift 1:00 PM · 3rd shift 3:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at IAR Atwater39 khutbahs
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