Entertainment is a part of IAW that, although may seem unnecessary to some, is a great method to either break the ice when talking about Islam, or to invite people to the event. Nasheeds or Islamic English music and interactive games can help bring people who are walking by into the IAW area. No doubt, prizes always motivate people to participate and people generally stop to listen to a live performance. And let's not forget the ultimate invitation that never fails to bring in the crowds: a great meal, of course. Whichever entertainment options you use to make your IAW more exciting, make sure your entertainment, in the end, is helping (and not harming) your dawah effort.
Islamic Songs
Throughout Islam Awareness Week, Islamic songs can be played in the background to draw the visitors into the area. Islamic songs that are pleasant and not too distracting would be ideal, such as the those of Ahmed Bukhatir. You can also stop them and play the call to prayer when it is time for prayer.
Games/prizes
- Wheel of Questions: Purchase a lazy susan (the larger the better, and these can sometimes be found at the dollar store) The lazy susan will serve as the spinning device for the wheel. Draw a wheel on a piece of cardboard, separated into categories: God, Pillars, People, Places, Things, Prophets,etc. Attach this wheel drawing onto the lazy susan. Attach a long stick to the back of the lazy susan and this will serve as the pointer. The player spins the wheel and which ever category the pointer stops at is the category from which the questionnaire asks a question to the spinner. So, for example, if the spinner spins the wheel and the pointer points to Pillars, the question asked will be something like, "How many pillars of faith are there in Islam?" or "Name one pillar of Islam". If he/she answers correctly, then he/she wins a prize.
- Name that place: Show pictures of different Islamic countries, or perhaps mosques from different countries and ask the participant to guess where the mosque is located. This game will help to show that Islam is present all over the world. One can use a laptop computer and a slideshow to play the game or can print out pictures to play.
- Who wants to be a millionaire: Islam edition: Make up questions about Islam and give multiple choice answers. This can be a longer game played with one participant. The person playing can have lifelines as well. The prize can be more significant than the other prizes for the games.
- Prizes: Prizes can range from something as simple as candy to dollar store gifts. Other prizes could include books on Islam or CDs which contain audio lectures. You may even consider investing in some more pricey prizes to give out in games you are utilizing to draw larger crowds.
Movies
A room can be reserved on campus or an area around where you are setting up your IAW station in order to screen a movie. A brief introduction about Islam can be given, in addition to the relevance of Islam to the movie being screened. Popcorn and soda can also be served as a fun touch.
Possible movies to screen:
Documentaries:
Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet (PBS)
Inside Mecca: National Geographic
Islam: Empire of Faith (PBS)
Food
If there is one thing that brings in the crowds the most, it would be food. Strive to host free dinner every night of IAW or the most that will fit in your budget. Another method of invitation is to set up a coffee/tea/hot chocolate /lemonade stand. Or have a snack table furnished with cookies and cupcakes. Try your best to uphold a welcoming atmosphere of hospitality, winning the hearts of your guests!
Other possibilities
Talented Muslim poets in your communities can perform a reading.
Talented Muslims can sing Islamic songs.
Talented Muslim artists can offer a demonstration of the making of their art. (For example, in the IAW that was hosted by The Islamic Society of Rutgers University in 2007, Aerosolarabic, a well-known Muslim graffiti artist from the UK was invited to do a demonstration of his unique artwork.)
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