Classic sounds of Tareem from the Rubat.
This is the first school here established about 150 years ago. Prior to that knowledge spread in homes of teachers, lovers of knowledge who hosted gatherings in their homes, zaawiyahs, and mosques.
This gathering is one of those where many members of the public come for. Almost every morning in Tareem, an hour after sunrise there’s a gathering of this nature. A mix between the public and dedicated students, seekers of knowledge. They are called Madras.
The format is typically where a string of books on a roster are read, each briefly. In between every few books a poem will be recited/sung. And at one point water in large cups will be distributed and passed around, shared. At another point coffee normally will be served in small chinese cups, though sometimes a chocolate drink or milk with almond.
On Saturdays and Wednesdays the madras is at this school, Rubat Tareem. Known for producing students strong in law and jurisprudence. These days the madras of Rubat Tareem is led by Habib Abu Bakr BilFaqih, whom I sometimes feel eats pages of sacred law books for breakfast due to his immense familiarity of it.
This particular morning, Habib Omar Bin-Hafidh was in attendance, something not too rare of an occasion. Habib Omar now heads the other big school in Tareem, Dar al Mustafa. Habib Omar and his father also taught in this school before. As did their teachers and peers.
MashAllah