Noor Elbayan AcademyOnline Islamic Studies for Kids in Canada
Yes, children in Canada can learn Islamic studies online in a way that fits around public school: short duas, the steps of wudu and prayer, stories from the seerah and everyday manners, taught live and one-to-one alongside their Quran reading. At Noor Elbayan Academy this is done inside the same 30-minute lesson, from age six, in English, French or Arabic. The aim is small, regular contact through the week rather than a single long class at the weekend.
The gap between public school and the weekend class
Most Muslim children in Canada attend public or Catholic board schools where Islam is, at best, a unit in a world-religions lesson. Many families rely on a weekend class at the local mosque or community centre, and those classes do valuable work: children meet Muslim friends, pray together and feel part of something.
The difficulty is rhythm. A class once a week, shared among many children of different ages, leaves six days in which nothing is revised. A dua learnt on Sunday has often faded by the following Saturday. In winter, a long drive on icy roads means some weeks are missed altogether, and families outside the large cities may have no class within reach.
Short one-to-one lessons at home during the week do not replace the community; they keep the learning warm between visits and give your child a teacher who knows exactly where they are.
What children actually learn
The Islamic studies track for children is practical. It concentrates on what a child needs in daily life and can understand at their age.
- Short duas: before and after eating, before sleeping and on waking, entering and leaving the home, travelling, and thanking Allah. Each is learnt in Arabic with its meaning explained simply.
- Wudu and prayer: the steps of wudu, the positions of salah, what is said in each position, and the short surahs needed to pray.
- Seerah and prophets’ stories: the life of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and stories of the prophets, told in episodes with a question or two to check understanding.
- Manners (adab): greeting with salam, honesty, kindness to parents and siblings, respect for teachers and neighbours, table manners.
- Basics of belief: the pillars of Islam and of faith, in language suited to a young child.
The teacher sets the pace by age. A six-year-old might spend three weeks on two duas and the wudu steps; a ten-year-old can take on the full wording of the prayer and longer stories with discussion.
How it fits inside a 30-minute lesson
Parents often ask whether half an hour is enough for both Quran and Islamic studies. It is, provided the lesson has a fixed shape. A typical split looks like this:
| Minutes | Part of the lesson | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 | Greeting and review | Salam, last lesson’s dua recited from memory |
| 3–20 | Quran or reading | Qaida page, or new verses and revision |
| 20–28 | Islamic studies | One dua, one prayer step, or one story episode |
| 28–30 | Wrap-up | One small task for home |
The Islamic studies segment comes second on purpose: after concentrated reading, a story or a dua feels like a reward, and children finish the lesson in good spirits. Children who are still learning their letters follow the Noor Al-Bayan and Qaida reading track in the main part of the lesson; those already reading move on to memorisation in the Hifz track.
After every lesson you receive a written report, so you know which dua or story was covered and can ask about it at the dinner table. Families who prefer can dedicate one lesson a week entirely to Islamic studies and keep the others for Quran.
Lesson times across the provinces
Teachers are in Egypt, which is at UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 in summer. For most of the year Cairo is seven hours ahead of Eastern Time and ten hours ahead of Pacific Time. This makes Canadian mornings and early afternoons the easiest windows, with later slots subject to teacher availability.
| Time zone | Provinces (main areas) | Weekend morning slot (local) | Same time in Cairo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland | Newfoundland | 9:00–12:00 | 14:30–17:30 |
| Atlantic | Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI | 9:00–12:00 | 15:00–18:00 |
| Eastern | Ontario, Quebec | 9:00–12:00 | 16:00–19:00 |
| Central | Manitoba | 9:00–12:00 | 17:00–20:00 |
| Mountain | Alberta | 9:00–12:00 | 18:00–21:00 |
| Pacific | British Columbia | 9:00–12:00 | 19:00–22:00 |
Other windows that work for many families:
- Before school: 7:00–7:30 in Ontario or Quebec is 14:00–14:30 in Cairo; the same slot in Alberta is 16:00–16:30 and in British Columbia 17:00–17:30.
- After school: 16:00 Eastern is 23:00 in Cairo, so weekday after-school lessons are late evening for the teacher. They are possible in the eastern provinces subject to availability, and harder to arrange further west.
- PA days and school holidays: a good moment to add a mid-morning lesson.
All times are indicative. Canada and Egypt change their clocks on different dates, so for a few weeks in spring and autumn the difference is one hour less. Saskatchewan, which generally keeps the same time all year, should check its slot at each change. Your times are confirmed when you book.
A sample week for a Canadian primary pupil
- Tuesday, before school: lesson (reading plus the week’s dua).
- Thursday, before school: lesson (reading plus one prayer step).
- Saturday morning: lesson (revision plus a seerah story).
- Sunday: weekend class at the mosque, if you attend one.
- Every day: the week’s dua said together at the relevant moment, such as before the evening meal.
Hockey practice, swimming or a snow day will sometimes get in the way. A lesson cancelled at least six hours ahead is made up, so the week’s rhythm is not lost.
Who teaches, and in which language
Lessons are given by certified Azhari teachers with more than ten years’ experience, and girls can be taught by a female teacher. Families in Quebec, New Brunswick and other francophone communities can choose lessons in French; elsewhere most choose English, and Arabic-speaking households sometimes prefer Arabic so that the lesson doubles as language exposure.
Fees are stated in US dollars, from $40 per month; the amount in Canadian dollars depends on the exchange rate on the day. There is a free trial lesson and a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
From what age can my child start?
From six years old. At that age the Islamic studies part is kept very short and built on repetition, stories and praise.
Can my child take Islamic studies without Quran?
Yes, a lesson can be devoted to Islamic studies only. Most parents find that combining the two in one lesson keeps both moving.
Will this clash with our weekend mosque class?
It should support it. Tell the teacher what the weekend class is covering, and the weekday lessons can reinforce the same duas and surahs.
Do I need to sit in on the lesson?
For younger children it helps to stay nearby for the first few lessons. After that, the written report keeps you informed.
What do we need at home?
A laptop or tablet with a camera, a steady internet connection, Zoom or Google Meet, and a quiet corner away from the television.
See how your child responds before you decide. Book a free trial lesson at a time that suits your province, or ask us a question on WhatsApp.