NorthStar School Poetry Contest: Furkan: Top Ten out of 88

Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakathahu,
I am writing to inform you your poem has placed in the top 10 from 88 entries in "The Praised One" Poetry Contest.
Masha Allah, this is a great achievement! Your poem was both well written and heartfelt.
Win or lose, you should feel very good about your accomplishment!
Winners will be announced at the Northstar Fundraiser March 21st: http://northstarschool.org/AnnualFundRaisingDinner.aspand also on the website the following week: http://northstarschool.org/poetry2.asp#flyer

“The Praised One” 2009Theme: “Shamail: The Prophetic Characteristics”

PROGRESS ANNOUNCEMENT: MARCH 13TH, 2009

Masha Allah, we have our top ten finalists for each age group.

On Friday, March 6th 2009, our first round judges deliberated for almost 5 hours, scoring each poem with great care. The following criteria were given scores of 1 to 5:
· Grammar
· Descriptive Words
· Poem relates well to theme
· Title is interesting and relates well to content
· Reflects love and Respect for the Prophet (s) and the Content

Please note spelling errors disqualify a poem. Also we had many beautiful poems that scored low because they did not relate well to the theme.

Not to worry, if your poem was good, and did not make the top ten, Insha Allah it will get published in Northstar School’s next edition of “The Praised One, A Treasury of Children’s Reflections about God’s Final Messenger”.

Rather than list the poem titles, we are listing the schools for an interesting twist. The following Schools have students with poems in the top ten.

7-9 Year Category #
Baytul Iman Academy, NJ. = 2
Homeschooler, DE. = 1
Lexington Universal Academy, KY. = 1
Northstar School, CA. = 3
Noor Ul Iman, NJ. = 1
Peace Terrace Academy, CA = 2

10-12 Year Category #
Andalusia School, NY. = 1
ILM Tree, CA. = 5
Noor Ul Iman, NJ. = 2
Peace Terrace Academy, CA = 2
Silicon Valley Academy, CA = 1

Final Judging will take place Saturday, March 14th. Keep praying for all our children!
May Allah subhana wa ta'ala continue to bless you with excellence and love and respect for the our Beloved Prophet Muhammad sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam.
Wasalaamu Alaikum.
Ameena Ansari, "The Praised One" Coordinator
"Closeness to Him is beholding His closeness to you" : Ibn Ata Illah"The total and lasting mistake is to have free time and not betake yourself to Him, or the obstacles to be few, and not journey to Him" : Ibn Ata Illah


Our Prophet
By Furkan Kose

Our prophet did everything for ALLAH,
Including his salah.

Our prophet never told a
lie,
And gave a smile to everyone who passed by.

Our prophet was very nice,
Even to the small creatures like mice.

Our prophet was never mean,
And very, very clean.

Our prophet always finished his food,
And was never rude.

Our prophet was patient with his people
And with their ways of evil.

From our prophet, all these we must learn,
So a place in Jannah we can earn.