Subul Assalm Center for Arabic Language

“I cannot summarize into words just how thankful I am for my experience with SACAL. I’ve only thought now to write this review as I prepared to enroll again in summer classes! In the summer of 2025 I took two private courses for 6 weeks: - Tajweed - Darija This was the first time I’ve ever taken tajweed courses as someone who reverted to islam years ago, this experience was completely invaluable. I learned more surahs than I ever had, I learned the meaning of what I was reciting, and I learned the methodology and rules behind the tajweed. As for the Darija classes, I had formally taken coursework in various Arabic dialects throughout the years and had given myself quite the mix of accents in my Arabic speech. I explained my background with Arabic and my teacher suggested we continue classes solely in Moroccan darija in order to improve my vocabulary so that I wouldnt rely on other dialects. In doing so, I felt confident speaking and being understood in Moroccan Darija.This to me is the key benefit of the programs they offer. The teachers take the time to understand student learning goals and cater their instruction to that and more. Everyday I was truly excited for class, practicing and doing homework in preparation for them. I never felt like a day or even a minute had been wasted in class. Inshallah for the summer of 2026 I will continue my courses with them. I have taken other online and in person Arabic classes and not found a better results than I have with their program. 10/10 recommend. 100%.”

“Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderfull Maroccon cooking workshop with Wafa. We were warmly welcomed, the class was well prepared and together we made a vegetarian tajine with all the original spices. Delicious! Also Wafa explained a lot about Maroccan culture and answered a lot of questiones about religion and world politics. Briefly: a wonderfull experience never to forget! Cisca and Jantina”

“I recently spent 2 months here studying Quran and Arabic. I really enjoyed my time here and learnt a lot from my teachers who were very knowledgable. Sheikh Abdullatif and professor Wafa were very friendly and accommodating and I can’t thank them enough for making my experience a great one. All in all everyone at Sacal made my time here enjoyable and an amazing experience.”

“I was searching for an option to learn the Moroccan culture intimately, then I found "Al-Maghreb 10-day Intensive" course on this school (SACAL)'s website. I liked it so much that I extended my stay for another 10 days, taking more language classes, cultural workshops, and staying longer with the host family. Hear me out on how great they were: I took private lessons in Moroccan Arabic with SACAL's phenomenal language teacher, Ustada Wafa. Even though she had an intense teaching schedule every day, she radiated positive energy each class. She was very well prepared for each class, such that we always transitioned from one lesson topic to the next topic very smoothly. Whenever she introduced a new feature of the language to me, she had me practice it with her until I felt confident that I could use it with the locals. I can't stress how helpful this was to my progress. It allowed me to be more fluent with my host family each day. Ustada Wafa was so fun that at times, we had to take a break the exercises to grab tissues and wipe tears off our face from laughing too hard. She is a great teacher and a great cheerleader of learning. SACAL offers a breadth of awesome cultural workshops, and Al-Maghreb program already included some of them. Please see the uploaded pictures to peek at some of them. These workshops allowed me to appreciate the culture in Fes more intimately, which was exactly what I hoped for. Having labored at woodcarving a traditional pattern, I deeply appreciate the wooden masterpieces that adorn the historic landmarks. Having labored at cooking a tagine, I feel more grateful for the traditional meals prepared for me. Having learned the musical scales in Arabic music, I have one more reason to be curious about the imams' prayer calls. Having talked with a great Muslim scholar trained at the prestigious Qarawiyyin University, I learned interesting perspectives on living well. These workshops were not salesy. The experts who led these workshops were genuinely excited to share with me what they know. They were not trying to push me to buy something more, which so often happens in many touristy shops that pretend to offer workshops. And many times, I noticed the ways in which the school founder Fatima was truly focused on sharing the genuine Moroccan culture with her students. Also, SACAL is located in the old Medina. From there, you can walk only a few minutes to reach many traditional craftsmen's shops, traditional markets, and historical landmarks (like the Qarawiyyin established in the 9th century). Coming to SACAL, of course I was looking forward to some formal workshops on the Moroccan culture, but I also hoped to just get to know good Moroccan people in their everyday life. SACAL arranged a homestay for me with an absolutely adorable family in the old Medina. My host mother Aziza, was like the sweetest grandmother out of a fable. She was the kind of grandma that would always greet me lovingly and check if I am hungry already. The kind of grandma that, if I was talking for too long with other students during a meal, she'd remind me to eat before others clear the food from the shares plates leaving none for me 😂 My stay overlapped with a big holiday (the end of Ramadan) that I even got to share meals with her big extended family and play with their children late into the night, entertaining each other by sharing our respective culture. Being part of such family was an immense blessing and a highlight in my life. I really thank SACAL for allowing me to meet them. And meeting good people like them really fueled my motivation to keep up learning their language. I have been backpacking for over half a year to learn cultures around the world. This school stands out as a model cultural center that I wish had existed in every city with deep culture. You will be in very good hands with SACAL. The school is crafted with love by the founder herself and her awesome team.

“I recently attended a series of private tuition lessons at the centre to improve my Quran recitation and learn the basics of Tajweed. I feel inspired to say, that this whole experience has been so profoundly life changing, and that this centre really is special. This is the first time, as a person who embraced Islam over 23 years ago, that I have sat face to face with a proper teacher. I am not able to articulate myself in words, it is a feeling. When one has an open heart and is willing to receive and learn, potential is unlocked. I am eager to return to learn more and now that I have a base in Fez, among trusted, educated people, I feel so much more confident to explore the possibilities and potential in this place, for my journey. I would like to acknowledge that the staff at the centre are, in my humble opinion, some of the kindest, most spiritual people I have met to date in my journey back to my Lord. I would like to thank my Lord, the Most High, for allowing me this opportunity and I am forever grateful to Him, alone. I would highly recommend this centre if you are considering a visit to Fez. There are many different topics to study, and if there is something which is not listed, all you have to do is ask, and the staff are so happy to assist you. There is no doubt in my heart whatsoever that I shall be returning here to continue my learning, with my Lord’s permission. With the warmest of thanks to all who have made my journey so special - I really am so very pleased to have met you all. 🙏🏼”

“I had a great experience at SACAL under Shaykh Abdul Latif. He helped me improve my Arabic and Quran recitation more in the 2 months I was there then the year long courses I have taken in America.”