 |
|
Race to the Kabah is a fun, family game that deepens children's understanding of Islam |
Board
games are staple children’s entertainment items in many homes. Some are
stacked one on top of another in some dusty closet, while others are strewn all
over a kid’s bedroom floor. Some are complex and require a great deal of
thought and strategy, while others require little more than a simple roll of the
dice. Monopoly, Chutes & Ladders, Parcheesi, Trivial Pursuit, Mousetrap,
Candy Land and the Game of Life are just a few of the many popular game titles
available at toy stores.
Now
Muslims can add a game of their own to the growing list of board games on the
market, thanks to an enterprising mother from Minnesota.
The
game is called Race to the Kabah, and it combines simple chance with questions
designed to test players’ own knowledge of the religion of Islam to create a
fun experience tailored toward deepening and enriching the family connection to
one another and to the religion.
The
game’s creator, Tasneem Ahmad, started work on Race to the Kabah some 18
months ago as a simple project to foster greater family unity and spirituality.
A year and a half later, however, the game is now being sold on Islamic websites
and at other retail destinations across the country.
The
concept behind Race to the Kabah is fairly simple: Players roll dice in order to
move various numbers of spaces on a board that navigates each player towards the
Kabah. Each time a player moves, he or she can potentially land on a square that
requires the player to answer a question concerning the 99 names of Allah (swt).
As players spiral around the Kabah in the center of the board, answering
questions correctly, they get closer and closer to their destination. First one
to the Kabah wins.
Each
round of the game takes about 15 minutes to play. It is recommended for 2-6
players from ages 7-adult, although younger children can have fun playing as
well.
For
Ahmad, the game represents not only a learning aid for her children but also a
teaching tool for those not all that familiar with Islam. “There were so many
misconceptions about Muslims floating around," said Ahmad in a Nov. 19
Pioneer Times article. "This game can be a bridge; we all have a
connection."
And
as an instrument of da`wah, Race to the Kabah can be invaluable. Said
Ahmad in the same article: “One reason I did it (the game) in English (rather
than Arabic) is so my daughters could play it with all their friends.”
Although
no figures are yet available for sales of the game, there is reasonable
expectation that it could be a hit in the niche market of religiously oriented
products where, according to a Nov. 16 New York Times article, sales have
recently doubled. And as more Muslim families look for simple ways to engender
greater spiritual identity in the home, games such as Race for the Kabah will
play not an insignificant role.
Race
to the Kabah currently retails for $39.95 and can be found on sale at many
Islamic websites.
Where
to buy Race to the Kabah:
