What ages does SAIC Dubai teach?

The children's programme is for ages 6 to 15, split into eight levels by age. The Hifz programmes list ages 9 to 16, and the Hifz form gives a minimum age of 8.

What language are the classes taught in?

English. The centre says children from over 20 nationalities are enrolled.

When do the children's classes run?

After school. Levels 1 to 5 list Monday to Friday, 4pm to 5:30pm (Level 1 on Friday is 3pm to 4:30pm). Levels 6 to 8 run later, around 5:45pm to 7:15pm, with different days for boys and girls at Levels 7 and 8. These pages were last updated in 2024-25, so confirm current timings with the centre.

How much are the fees?

Fees are not published on the website. Ask the provider on +971 4 341 9103 or admin@saic-dubai.com.

Is there a Hifz (Quran memorisation) programme?

Yes, separate programmes for boys and girls, described as intensive memorisation of the whole Quran. The Hifz form asks about the child's ability to recite with tajweed. Ask the centre about places and assessment.

SAIC Dubai: Quran and Islamic studies classes for children in Al Barsha

Q: Is there a free trial class?

Not published. Ask the provider.

Quran & IslamicQuran

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Al Barsha

Ages6+years and up
WhereAl BarshaOpen in Maps
Not publishedAskPrices and times

See timetable

SAIC is the South African Islamic Centre, a villa-based centre on Street 52 in Al Barsha 3. It was established in 2002 and is licensed by IACAD, Dubai's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department; it started as a Quran centre in Satwa and later moved to Al Barsha. For children it runs an after-school programme for ages 6 to 15, taught in English, split into eight levels by age. Alongside Quran recitation and memorisation, children study duas, hadith, beliefs, fiqh, manners and Islamic history. The centre says its classes are built around a fun and creative atmosphere, with children from over 20 nationalities enrolled. Each academic year ends with an assembly where children show parents what they have learnt and receive awards. Separate Hifz programmes for boys and girls offer intensive memorisation of the whole Quran. For a family who wants a structured, English-language madrasah close to Al Barsha, it is worth a call. Fees are not published, so ask the centre.

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The activity

Quran, explained

Quran classes for children usually start with the Arabic alphabet: recognising letters, joining them and reading with the correct vowel signs. From there children move on to reading whole passages fluently with tajweed, the rules of correct pronunciation and rhythm, and memorising short surahs. Many madrasah-style programmes add Islamic studies alongside: everyday duas, hadith, beliefs, manners and the stories of the prophets. Hifz is the separate, intensive path of memorising the whole Quran and asks for real daily commitment. Levelled classes often begin around age 6, once a child is reading confidently at school, and build patience, memory and a steady study routine.

Who it's for

Children aged 6 to 15 in the levelled after-school classes (Level 1 lists an expected age of 6-7, rising to 13-14 at Level 8). Levels 5, 7 and 8 list separate timings for boys and girls. The Hifz programmes for boys and for girls list an age group of 9-16, while the Hifz admission form states a minimum age of 8, so check with the centre. Classes are taught in English. The centre also runs adult classes, but those are separate.

What to expect

Level 1 starts with recognising Arabic letters, joining them and reading with the correct signs, plus short surahs, everyday duas, basic fiqh such as cleanliness, beliefs, manners, stories of the prophets and short hadith in Arabic and English. By Level 8 the focus is fluent recitation with tajweed of the last eight juz, memorising Surah Yaseen and a basic tafseer of the last ten surahs. Sessions in the levelled classes run for an hour and a half. To enrol, parents fill in the Children's Class admission form on the website, which asks for an in-person or online preference and medical details. Trial classes, fees and kit are not published: ask the provider.

Highlights

Established in 2002 and licensed by IACAD (saic-dubai.com)
Children's programme for ages 6-15, taught in English (saic-dubai.com)
Eight levels by age, from Arabic letters at Level 1 to tajweed and basic tafseer at Level 8 (saic-dubai.com)
Separate Hifz programmes for boys and girls (saic-dubai.com)
End-of-year assembly where children show parents what they have learnt (saic-dubai.com)
4.9 on Google from 67 reviews (Google listing)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

SAIC Dubai holds 4.9 on Google from 67 reviews. Of those, 63 are five-star, 3 are four-star and 1 is three-star, with no one- or two-star reviews.

The facts

Ages: 6-15 (children's levels 1-8); Hifz 9-16 per programme pages, minimum age 8 per Hifz form
Schedule: As listed on the level pages (last updated 2023-2025; confirm current): Levels 1-4 Mon-Fri 4:00-5:30pm (Level 1 Fri 3:00-4:30pm); Level 5 Mon-Fri 4:00-5:30pm; Level 6 Mon-Thu 5:45-7:15pm, Fri 4:45-6:15pm; Level 7 5:45-7:15pm, boys Mon/Wed/Fri, girls Mon/Tue/Thu; Level 8 5:45-7:15pm, boys Tue & Thu, girls Mon & Wed. Hifz Girls Mon-Sat 8:30am-12:00pm, Saturday 8:00-10:00am. Hifz Boys Mon-Fri 5:45-7:15am and 5:45-7:45pm, Saturday 8:00-10:00am.
Languages: English
Where: Villa 17, Street 52, Al Barsha 3, Dubai
How to book: saic-dubai.com/childrens-class-form · +971 4 341 9103 · [email protected]

Guide · 7 min readRead: How many activities is too many? A guide by age

Questions parents ask

Good to know

Classes run after school; most levels list weekday afternoon or evening sessions (saic-dubai.com)
The admission form includes an indemnity clause signed by the parent or guardian (saic-dubai.com)
Wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park (Google listing)
The level pages were last updated between 2023 and 2025, so confirm this year's timings before enrolling (saic-dubai.com)