Behind the Name
For [the truthful] are Gardens under which rivers flow – they shall abide therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success.
(Qur’an: Chapter 5, verse 119)

Conjuring images of heaven as it is described in the myriad Qur’anic passages like that excerpted above, the words “River Garden” are at once peaceful and calming, dynamic and alive, aspirational and transcendent. We were particularly drawn to this name because of the two strong metaphors it encompasses. The river represents our journey through this life, at cadences ambling at times and rushing at others, yet always with God’s ever-present love and mercy as the bedrock that guides and reassures us as we strive for successes both great and small. The garden represents that most fertile of places to plant the seeds of knowledge and to develop a base for early learning and development. The garden also provides an opportunity to grow the foundation of the children’s relationship with their Creator. If the flowers in a garden are properly nurtured and exposed to carefully selected elements, they will flourish. The program exposes our children to the best elements and provides a nurturing environment in which their hearts and minds may flourish, preparing them to develop as spiritual beings in their life-long pursuit of knowledge.