Jaleese’s day begins every day at 4:50 AM with Salatul Fajr and reading the Holy Qur’an. This young man is not only a role model for his younger atfal brothers, but a role model for all of us as well.

Jaleese Dar is a star in his school. He has been awarded the Principal’s Honor Roll a remarkable nine times and has won the prestigious National Academic Fitness Award. Jaleese was also chosen out of 250-300 students by his teachers to win the student of the month award.

What makes Jaleese truly special is the amount of work Jaleese outside of school, for his spirituality and for Jamaat. Jaleese has finished the entire reading of the Holy Quran twelve times and completed his first reading when he was only 3 years and 9 months old. Jaleese is known among his atfal peers as a true competitor and his record proves it. In his last Ijtema appearance (March 2009), Jaleese took first place in Tilawat, Nazm, memorization of the Holy Quran, and in football. Jaleese placed 2nd in only speech and in track races. 

What makes Jaleese a rising star is his commitment to his faith. Jaleese is at every Jamaat event, helping out in any way possible and always listening attentively to the speeches and programs. When Adhan is to be called, you always see Jaleese rise up confidently and give the call to prayer. When a team competition is going on, Jaleese is the perfect team member with his vast knowledge. When an Atfal class is held, Jaleese is the first one there and always prepared. Local Nazim Atfal of Los Angeles Inland Empire Majlis Qasid Sadiq Sahib has seen Jaleese rise for a long time. When asked about Jaleese, Qasid says “Jaleese is a very good child, he comes to class on time, he does all his homework and he is number one in the class….just imagine the perfect kid and you have Jaleese Dar.” The level of Tarbiyyat this young man has makes him extraordinary among his peers and makes him a role model for all. 

Jaleese says he enjoys “helping out at the masjid, listening to the Jummah sermon and helping out when I can.” Jaleese wants to InshAllah become a missionary so that as he said “spread Ahmadiyyat and help others.” Jaleese has always had very ambitious goals and time and time again he has shown everyone what he is capable of doing. With Jaleese, the sky is longer the limit; he is already soaring into space. When asked if he had any advice for other atfal, Jaleese said “attend Jummah and participate in Ijtemas.” Jaleese added that Jummah keeps tifls up to date on what Huzoor (aba) is instructing the Jamaat to do. Jaleese says Jummah is especially important for those who live far away from the masjid and Ijtemas allow atfal to compete with each other and enjoy each other’s company.

May Allah enable this rising star to reach all his dreams and goals and may he never be anything less than excellent. Ameen.

Submitted by Rizwan Jattala, LA Inland Empire