Kindness is a relatively easy word to define. According to Google it means “the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.”
Inspiring kindness, empathy and compassion, an Ontario high school Muslim teacher has mailed handwritten letters to each of her 80 students, showing them that someone cared about them in this challenging school year.
“I wanted to put a smile on their face,” said Iman Al-Areibi, who teaches three classes at H.B. Beal Secondary School in London, Ontario, CBC reported.
“As I was writing these, I could see the end product and I could see how they’re going to feel once they receive that letter when their name is on it.”
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Al-Areibi mailed 60 letters last week and 20 this week, saying she wanted to offer the students comfort as COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact everyday life.
Difficult Times
The letter from her teacher reads: “I want to take this opportunity to say thank you for an amazing year so far. Thank you for your hard work and contributions to our class and school community. Thank you for being you!”
“I wanted them to feel like things are going to be OK,” said the teacher, who is excited students will be back in the classroom on Monday.
“I know how hard it’s been for them and losing those connections with friends,” she said. “We do still feel a little nervous about schools being safe for everyone, but we trust the process and our school board and how hard they’re working.”
Many of Al-Areibi’s students have been thanking her over email.
“The card meant a lot as it showed how much she cares about us as students and our well-being,” Meredith Lewkowitz, one of the students who received a personalized note, said.
One of my daughter’s teachers sent each of her students a hand written note in the mail. The kindness and encouragement brought tears to my eyes and boosted my daughter’s spirits. #onted
— Shawna Lewkowitz (@ShawnaLewk) January 11, 2022
Canada’s 2011 National Household Survey estimated Muslims in Canada to be around 1,053,945, or about 3.2% of the population, making Islam the second largest religion in the country after Christianity.