School after school IV (Tanzania, Zanzibar)

In a madrasa in Zanzibar , children study together, sitting on the floor, notebooks open and pens in hand. This community Quranic school, often attended after public school, is an integral part of the archipelago's daily education. It teaches Arabic, recitation of the Quran, as well as writing and collective discipline.

The contrast is striking: bare walls, cement floor , and yet, a palpable energy—bursts of laughter, knowing exchanges, silent concentration. The colorful traditional outfits bring a striking vitality to this stripped-down space.

Zanzibar is often reduced to its postcard image. This scene recalls another reality: that of a curious, studious youth rooted in oral transmission practices . Islamic education here is not limited to religious learning: it also shapes social cohesion, mutual respect and a sense of belonging.