Visionary Leadership in Islamic Education: Insights from Dr. Habib Qaderi’s Workshop

Hosted at IISO | Organized by the Union of Islamic Schools in Japan

Group Photo with Dr. Habib and all Participants

Visionary Leadership in Islamic Education: Insights from Dr. Habib Qaderi’s Workshop

Hosted at IISO | Organized by the Union of Islamic Schools in Japan

On Sunday 28^th SEP, 2025, the International Islamia School Otsuka (IISO) proudly hosted a national professional development workshop titled “Visionary and Instructional Leadership.” Organized by the Union of Islamic Schools in Japan, this impactful event brought together educators from six leading Islamic international schools across the country, including IISO, SIS, FIS, YUAI, BIS, and Al Sanad.

The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Habib Qaderi, a globally respected Islamic school principal and educational consultant from USA. His dynamic sessions focused on cultivating school leadership rooted in prophetic character, academic excellence, and emotional intelligence.

A Unified Effort for Educational Excellence

IISO’s delegation included members of the school’s leadership team, head teachers, and classroom educators. Together with colleagues from five other institutions, participants explored strategies to:

• Build positive school culture through tone, trust, and purpose

• Strengthen instructional leadership with faith-based motivation

• Align classroom practices with student-centered, spiritually grounded goals

Dr. Habib emphasized that “attitude is everything” in shaping school climate and student success. His message — “Do your best, and Allah will take care of the rest”—resonated deeply with all attendees.

The Crescent Way: A Framework for Holistic Growth

A highlight of the workshop was the introduction of “The Crescent Way,” a 10-point framework for Islamic school development. Participants reflected on how each pillar could be implemented in their own contexts:

Pillar	Focus Area
Curriculum	Adaptable, rigorous, and spiritually relevant
Character & SEL	Weekly Sunnah themes, student-led Khutbahs
Community Engagement	Service projects with Muslim and Japanese communities
Communication & Clubs	Public speaking, media, and student-led initiatives
Technology & Innovation	Robotics, AI, and STEM through an Islamic lens
Physical Wellness	Movement, self-defense, and amanah of the body
Financial Literacy	Charity, budgeting, and ethical wealth education
Spiritual Connection	Adhkar routines, du‘a writing, and reflective practice

Educators discussed practical ways to embed these pillars into daily school life, reinforcing the shared mission of nurturing confident, compassionate Muslim youth.

Strengthening Relationships and Shared Vision.

The workshop also focused on leadership communication, change management, and teacher motivation. Dr. Habib encouraged school leaders to:

• Listen actively and build trust before initiating change

• Celebrate effort and growth, not just outcomes

• Foster strong relationships with parents through empathy and transparency

These insights are now guiding IISO’s internal development plans and inter-school collaborations.

Moving Forward Together

This workshop marked a milestone in national Islamic education cooperation. By hosting this event, IISO reaffirmed its commitment to professional growth, community partnership, and visionary leadership.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Union of Islamic Schools in Japan, Dr. Habib Qaderi, and all participating institutions for their contributions to this meaningful gathering.

May Allah guide our educators, strengthen our schools, and bless our efforts toward excellence in both this world and the next. Ameen.

By Dr. Mohamed Raessa