EXCLUSIVE Interview With Sister Shazia Nazlee From Little Explorers Magazine

Written by Al-Qaria.net | Exclusive Interview

Thursday, 14 October 2010 18:55

As Muslims, we will be the first to admit that we have fallen short in many dynamic fields, be it media, science or technology. Fortunately, there are some people out there who have realised this and are doing something about it! Little Explorers Magazine aims to address the void in one such field: children's literature. Little Explorers Magazine is a pioneering effort in a vast educational realm in which precious little has been done over the past three decades.

We are happy to announce that recently we had a chance to carry out an exclusive interview with one of the pioneers behind this project: Sister Shazia Nazlee. Below is an Al-Qaria.net exclusive interview. With thanks to sister Shazia and the whole team at: http://littleexplorersmagazine.co.uk/ for their time.

1. Let’s begin by getting a bit of background, what is Little Explorers Magazine?
Little Explorers Magazine (LE) is a new generation for learning. It is a tool for all. In simple LE is a children’s magazine for all children (and our reviews have shown parents too) from all backgrounds and all ages. It is a bi-monthly magazine which is full of information for children at the level of children and also very educational with the facts and worksheets as well as activities to engage and educate those fresh minds.

2. How and where did it all start?
LE was a project in my mind for years but never happened. As a children’s writer I am always looking for ideas and ways to do something new! One morning I woke up and thought a book is read and put away but a continuous magazine can offer the children something new each time it is realised. So I spoke to a few close friends and the feeling was the same as mine, so the journey began...

3. Is there a market for this sort of thing?
There is definitely a market for LE Mashallah. We have realised this from the response and excitement of parents, educators and the children themselves. We have many home schooling groups who love LE from all over the world.

4. OK, so when you say children, what sort of age group are we talking about?
Initially we started the magazine for the ages of 7 to 11, but parents have told us that their 2, 3 and 15 year old all love it. So we say from 1 - 16. For the younger children parents can use the magazine as a reading tool. Something they may share as they would a book. The older kids it theirs to explore as they wish. However the magazine caters for all.

5. Tell us about the team. Who are the people behind it all?
That’s a tough one. There are many people behind the magazine, all who have love for the deen, love to establish and work on such projects and want to make a difference in the Muslim Community. We have writers who are teachers, students, professionals and also mums with tonnes of experience. Pushing the project itself we have a many people who love the idea and want to make it a success inshallah. We have people like Dr Bilal Philips, whose testimonial can be found on the website as well as the Al-Kauthar instructors who have encouraged all to invest in this great project.

6. What is your reach? Is it worldwide?
Yes LE has gone worldwide to places we would not even imagine Mashallah. We never intended o go worldwide when we launched but it was something that just happened and now we are working on making this big all over inshallah.

7. Where can it be bought from? and if somebody reading this wants to sell it in their shop or Masjid what should they do?
You can purchase a year’s subscription. There are two methods, PayPal or cheque. All the information is on the website. We also have a few stockists. Birmingham, London, Manchester and two in Nigeria where people can buy the magazine as a single issue. We have promotional material that sellers can use which is something that we provide to all those who want to get involved with LE and stock it.

8. How has the feedback been so far?
Feedback as mashallah been great. Really boosts our confidence in this project. People are so excited about it and keep saying it has been a long awaited venture. Comments can be seen on our website and followed on face book where people will get a good feel of the magazine.

9. What are your plans for the future?
Future, Inshallah we want to keep LE as printed document but will aim at having an interactive website to support the magazine where children can go on and follow up articles, do activates and play games that follow what they have learnt in the magazine. We also would like to do educational toys that link to each issue of the magazine and inshallah soon for LE to become monthly.

10. How can people help out or get involved?
Really simple, just email us and we can inshallah take it from there. For projects like this there are never enough people. So get involved!

http://littleexplorersmagazine.co.uk/