YAKADA STUDIO

Author: aichabrihmouche

  • Zaman: An Islamic History Card Game Connecting Families and Communities

    Zaman: An Islamic History Card Game Connecting Families and Communities

    At Yakada Studio, we’ve always believed that games can be more than just something you play; they can be something you create memories with.

    Zaman is an Islamic history card game designed to explore the timeline of Islamic civilization — from the era of the Prophet ﷺ all the way to the modern day. Each card tells a story, highlights a contribution, and reminds us of the important role Muslims have played throughout the centuries.

    For those reading this who are still discovering Zaman, you can learn more in our previous article here:

    Zaman: One of the Best Board Games for Families

    Playing Islamic History Beyond the Table

    We wanted this educational Islamic board game to live where conversations happen naturally. That’s why we partnered with local cafés and cultural spaces to bring Zaman directly to people.

    So far, we’ve collaborated with:

    • Tala Coffee Shop
    • Kahwa w Kteb
    • Librosia

    Each space brought its own atmosphere, its own crowd, and its own energy — and Zaman adapted beautifully every time.

    What stood out the most was how approachable this Islamic civilization timeline game felt, even to people who didn’t consider themselves knowledgeable about Islamic history. Players jumped in easily, trusted their instincts, debated dates, laughed at unexpected turns, and slowly began to notice patterns across centuries.

    Reactions That Meant Everything to Us

    One of the most rewarding things we witnessed was how quickly players connected with the content.

    Many people told us they came in just for coffee — and ended up staying longer than planned. Groups who had never played a historical or educational card game before found themselves fully engaged, comparing events, questioning assumptions, and discovering just how vast and rich Islamic civilization has been.

    Without feeling overwhelmed, players were able to grasp the scale of contributions made by Muslim scholars, thinkers, and innovators across science, history, art, and many other fields — simply by playing.

    Zaman doesn’t require prior knowledge to be enjoyable. As a family-friendly Islamic board game, it meets people where they are and invites them to explore time together, one card at a time.

    What This Means for Yakada Studio

    Seeing Zaman played in cafés, surrounded by conversation and curiosity, confirmed something important for us: cultural and educational board games belong in social spaces.

    Zaman isn’t about memorizing dates or testing knowledge. It’s about interaction, intuition, and shared discovery. It’s about realizing how interconnected Islamic history really is — and how fun it can be to navigate it collectively.

    This is just the beginning for Yakada Studio. Zaman opened the door, and the response we received motivates us to keep creating meaningful Islamic board games that celebrate culture, history, and storytelling in fresh, accessible ways.

    If you’ve played Zaman at one of our collaborations — thank you for being part of its journey through time.

  • Zaman: One of the Best Board Games for Families

    Zaman: One of the Best Board Games for Families

    Finding meaningful Muslim games that are both fun and educational can be challenging. Many families want more than entertainment. They want games that bring people together, spark conversation, and help children and adults connect with their faith and history in a natural way…

    That is exactly why Zaman, the first game in the Yakada series, was created

    Zaman is a timeline-based card game that introduces players to key events of Islamic civilization, from the era of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ until modern Muslim thinkers, all through simple and engaging gameplay.

    Why Muslim Families Are Looking for Better Board Games

    Board games have made a strong comeback in recent years, especially among families. Parents are actively searching for the best board games for families that:

    • encourage interaction instead of screen time
    • are suitable for mixed ages
    • create meaningful conversations
    • reflect their values

    For Muslim families, this often includes a desire for games that connect children to Islamic history, role models, and shared identity, without feeling like a lesson or schoolwork.

    What Is Zaman?

    Zaman is a timeline card game that explores major moments in Muslim civilization, starting from the Prophet’s era and continuing until contemporary figures

    Players encounter events such as:

    • the building of Al-Masjid An-Nabawi
    • Sulh Al-Hudaybiyah
    • major milestones of Islamic scholarship and civilization
    • modern thinkers like Malek Bennabi and his work Conditions of the Renaissance

    Rather than memorizing dates, players engage with history by understanding what came before and after, building a mental map of Islamic civilization over time.

    How the Game Is Played (Simple and Family-Friendly)

    The concept behind Zaman is inspired by classic timeline games, making it easy to learn and accessible for all ages.

    Here is how it works:

    • Each player receieves a small hand of cards.
    • One card is placed in the center of the table with its date visible to start the timeline.
    • On your turn, you choose one of your cards and place it where you think it belongs in the timeline, before or after existing cards.
    • You then flip the card to reveal the date.
    • If the placement is correct, the card stays.
    • If it is incorrect, you draw a new card.
    • The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.

    Because each card shows the event on one side and the date on the other, the game naturally encourages discussion, curiosity, and learning through play

    Why Zaman Is One of the Best Board Games for Families

    Zaman stands out among family board games for several reasons:

    1. It Brings Generations Together

    Children, teenagers, and adults can all play together. Older players often share context, while younger players ask questions, turning the game into a shared learning experience.

    2. It Makes Islamic History Accessible

    Instead of long explanations, history is discovered gradually through gameplay. Players learn by doing, guessing, and correcting, which makes information stick.

    3. It Encourages Conversation

    Every card invites discussion. What happened during this event? Why was it important? What came before it? These moments naturally open meaningful family conversations.

    4. It Is Both Fun and Educational

    Zaman is designed as a game first. Learning happens along the way, without pressure or formal teaching.

    Muslim Games That Go Beyond Entertainment

    Many Muslim games focus on quizzes or memorization. While those have value, Zaman takes a different approach. It treats Islamic history as a living story, not a list of facts.

    By placing events on a timeline, players begin to see connections, patterns, and progression. This helps build a stronger sense of identity and belonging, especially for younger players growing up in a fast-paced, digital world.

    A New Way to Experience Islamic Civilization

    Zaman is the first game in the Yakada series, a project dedicated to creating meaningful play experiences rooted in Islamic knowledge, history, and values.

    The goal is simple:

    to help Muslims reconnect with their shared story through play, curiosity, and conversation.

    Whether you are looking for the best board games for families, meaningful Muslim games, or a new way to explore Islamic history at home, Zaman offers a unique and engaging experience.