A Life of Teaching and Love for Family
Born in Bangladesh and now a longtime resident of Florida, Panjeton Noor has built a life centered on learning, teaching, and family. She completed her bachelor’s in psychology from UCF, graduating summa cum laude, and went on to earn her master’s in education from USF. During her graduate studies, she worked for four years at the Department of Children and Families, and after graduating, she taught at Universal Academy of Florida until her retirement.
“I loved my job and miss my students and colleagues,” she reflects warmly. Her life today is enriched by her husband and his constant support; her three daughters, who have grown into remarkable women; and her three grandchildren, whose laughter and chatter she treasures.
Beginning the Ribaat Journey
Panjeton was first introduced to Ribaat by her colleague Samar Sultan. Later, her eldest daughter encouraged her to begin her Quran journey. At first, balancing work, motherhood, and caring for her elderly mother made her hesitant. But after her first class with Anse Dr. Tamara Gray, she was hooked.
“The positivity of Rabata is so contagious,” she shares. “Since retiring, I have devoted my entire time to hifz.”
Throughout her Ribaat journey, Panjeton has been touched by the guidance and kindness of many teachers, including Anse Tamara, Anse Nishaat, Anse Abeer, Anse Deena, Anse Rola, Anse Sarah, Anse Samah, Anse Marah, Anse Eamaan, Anse Safiyyah, Anse Maryam, Anse Ola, Anse Samia, Anse Saadia, and Anse Raghad. “I hold each one of them as treasures in my heart,” she says.
She recalls one moment that stayed with her: “At the end of a course I was taking with Anse Nishaat, she gave us the gift of a hadith that she got from her husband, and you can trace it back to one of the sahaba.”
Holding On to Hope
At sixty-seven years old, Panjeton continues her journey of memorizing the Quran. Though she acknowledges the challenges of age—eyesight not as sharp, memory not as strong—her determination is unwavering.
“My hope is that Allah ﷻ guides me through this journey of memorizing the Quran and that I complete it during this lifetime,” she says. “But I still have hope since Anse Saadia told us that if you cannot finish it in this life, then Allah will send angels in your grave to complete the memorization there.”
May Allah grant Panjeton Noor clarity of mind, strength of heart, and the sweetness of His words in this life and the next. May her journey with the Quran be a source of light for her, her family, and generations to come.