Topics

This year's Retreat will cover an array of topics dealing with the ever-evolving landscape of modern society.

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[accordion-item title="▽ Honoring Sacred Spaces: Embracing the Journey of Learning"]

Speaker: Mufti Sulaiman Hamid
Time:  Friday 5/26, 7:10 PM - 7:30 PM

Description: The sanctity of a learning environment, especially one dedicated to Islamic knowledge, extends beyond the physical space. It is imbued with a deeper sense of reverence and respect that mirrors the intentions of those within. Upholding etiquette and preserving the dignity of these spaces is crucial for personal growth and effective learning. The journey of learning is a profound commitment that requires sincere intention, humility, and an attitude of earnest seeking. This reverence for the sacred space helps cultivate an environment of focused intellectual and spiritual growth, setting it apart from conventional gatherings and conferences. These guiding principles shape the attendees' experience, ensuring that their engagement is purposeful, beneficial, and aligned with the values of respect and dedication.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• Role of intention in learning
• Etiquette in learning spaces
• Respect for Sacred spaces
• Humility and growth
• Maintaining decorum

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[accordion-item title="▽ From Roots to Wings: Nurturing Our Identity and Celebrating Our Heritage"]

Speaker: Mawlana Ahsan Syed
Time:  Friday 5/16, 9:00 PM - 9:50 PM 

Description: In this enlightening talk, we'll emphasize the importance of retaining and celebrating our cultural roots and heritage. As we navigate an era of globalization and constant change, the aim is to inspire attendees to draw firmness and stability from their cultural lineage, shaping and strengthening their unique identities.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• Impact of native languages in cultural preservation
• Importance of heritage preservation
• Experiences and challenges of immigration
• Role of cultural anchors in identity formation
• Wisdom and richness derived from cultural lineage

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[accordion-item title="▽ Islam & Liberalism: Tension Between Tradition and Modernity"]

Speaker: Shaykh Dr. Mateen Khan
Time:  Friday 5/26, 10:20 PM - 11:00 PM

Description: In this discussion, we will delve into the history, foundations, and conflicts between Western thought and normative Islam as practiced by traditional Muslims. This topic is crucial for comprehending the numerous challenges we encounter today in both thought and practice. Moreover, it serves as a fundamental pillar for other discussions held during the retreat.

Key Areas of Discussion: TBA

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[accordion-item title="▽ Overcoming Obstacles: Strategies for Building Successful Marriages"]

Speakers: Mawlana Usman Akhtar & Mawlana Hamzah Imtiaz
Moderator: Mawlana Mustafa Ahmed
Format: Roundtable Discussion
Time:  Saturday 5/27, 11:30 AM - 12:45 AM

Description: Modern society's ever-shifting values have begun to redefine marriage norms, often to the detriment of its sacredness in the Islamic context. Pervasive issues such as premarital relationships, career-oriented marriage delays, and rampant non-Islamic influences on wedding traditions, often erode the foundations of this sacred union. Extravagance has replaced simplicity, and the sanctity of marital fidelity is under threat. It is critical, now more than ever, to navigate these challenges by anchoring ourselves firmly in Islamic teachings, thereby realigning our approach to marriage.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• Implications of premarital relationships
• Impact of career-oriented delays in marriage
• Non-Islamic influences on wedding traditions
• Shift from marital simplicity to extravagance
• Issues surrounding marital fidelity and divorce trends.

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[accordion-item title="▽ Manners in Decline: How Social Etiquette is Fading in Today's World"]

Speaker: Mawlana Farhan Shariff
Time:  Saturday 5/27, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Description: This talk dives deep into the heart of our society's eroding manners, exploring how this decline shapes individual and collective behavior. With a focus on the enduring importance of good character, we will discuss real-life examples of the significant repercussions when manners are neglected. As we aim to stay true to our Islamic values in a changing world, let us rediscover the timeless power of manners and etiquette.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• The Power of Good Character: Islamic Perspective
• The Consequences of Declining Manners
• Real-life Examples: The Importance of Etiquette
• Strategies to Cultivate Good Manners in Today's World
• Role of Manners in Upholding Islamic Values in a Changing Society

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[accordion-item title="▽ Blurred Lines: Understanding the Changing Dynamics of Gender Interaction"]

Speaker: Shaykh Dr. Mateen Khan alongside Mufti Yasir Nadeem al Wajidi & Mufti Minhajuddin Ahmed
Time:  3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Description: As the interaction between men and women constitutes a cornerstone of society, it is essential to comprehend the guidance provided by the Sharīʻah to ensure our well-being. Our discussion commences with the Prophet ﷺ and concludes with contemporary America. Throughout this journey, we will underscore the principles that the ‘ulamā employ in addressing this significant subject and illuminate the potential pitfalls to be mindful of.

Key Areas of Discussion: TBA

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[accordion-item title="▽ The Subversion of Masculinity: How Modern Feminism is Impacting Men's Roles"]

Speaker: Mufti Yasir Nadeem al Wajidi
Time:  Saturday 5/27, 4:45 PM - 6:00 PM

Description:   The rapid evolution of gender roles, catalyzed by modern feminism, challenges traditional definitions of masculinity. This transformation prompts a critical reevaluation of men's responsibilities and leadership in various aspects of life. Drawing upon Islamic principles and the exemplary conduct of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), it becomes essential to distinguish between equity and equality in this changing landscape.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• Leadership and responsibilities in the context of changing gender roles
• Insights from the Prophet's (pbuh) roles as a husband and father
• Decision-making within the family structure
• Distinguishing equity from equality in gender roles.

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[accordion-item title="▽ Behind the Veil: Embracing the Hijab as a Symbol of Faith and Identity"]

Speaker: Mufti Minhajuddin Ahmed
Time: Saturday 5/17, 7:15 PM - 8:10 PM

Description: In this enlightening session, we'll delve into the deep-rooted Islamic tradition of the hijab, exploring its establishment in the Quran and Sunnah. The aim is to provide clarity on misconceptions, dispel notions of oppression, and underline the hijab's essence as a symbol of faith, modesty, and personal identity.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• Deep Analysis of the obligation of Hijab
• Integral to a Modest Lifestyle, not just a garment
• A Mandate from Shariah, not a personal option
• The rise and impact of hijab fashion trends

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[accordion-item title="▽ Silent No More: The Power of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil"]

Speaker: Mufti Azeemuddin Ahmed
Time:  Saturday 5/27, 8:40 PM - 9:50 PM

Description:  In an era where societal norms are rapidly shifting, the Islamic principle of enjoining what is right (Maroof) and forbidding what is wrong (Munkar) becomes increasingly vital. This session emphasizes the importance of standing up for truth, drawing from the teachings of the Prophet and the courage of the Sahaba.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• Understanding Maroof and Munkar in the context of changing norms
• The Prophetic guidance on speaking up for the truth
• The role of non-scholars in preserving the faith
• Riding out the cancel culture

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[accordion-item title="▽ Highs and Lows: The Harms of Marijuana, Vapes, and Hookah"]

Speaker: Shaykh Dr. Mateen Khan alongside Mufti Azeemuddin Ahmed
Format: Roundtable Discussion
Time:  Saturday 5/27, 10:20 PM - 11:00 PM

Description: Today's society is experiencing a dramatic shift in the perception of substances such as marijuana, vapes, and hookah. Once widely condemned, their usage has moved towards normalization. This session examines these changes, reinforcing the Islamic stance on the subject and urging caution and awareness amid these altering norms.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• The shift from stigma to acceptance in drug culture
• Impact beyond physical health: moral and societal concerns
• Influence of the prevalent hookah culture
• Illicit trade in haram substances
• Islamic teachings on substance use and abuse

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[accordion-item title="▽ Rethinking the Generation Gap: Parents, Children and the Healthy Social Order"]

Speaker: Ustadh Khalid Baig
Time:  Sunday 5/28, 10:30 AM - 11:30 PM

Description: The concept of a 'generation gap' has increasingly pervaded discussions about parent-child relationships. This talk delves into the root causes of this disconnect, reflecting on what fuels its prevalence. Drawing lessons from Quranic examples of parent-child relationships, as well as the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), we explore the urgency of addressing this issue. This problem isn't restricted to individual parenting styles or techniques; rather, it's a symptom of a broader societal disorder. Three primary factors are identified that contribute to this disruption in our social fabric. Only through a comprehensive, communal effort – encompassing parents, grandparents, extended family, and the wider community – can we begin to rectify these issues. This talk proposes a path towards a healthy social order, a journey that requires recognition, understanding, and committed action from all of us.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• Understanding the Generation Gap: Causes and Implications
• Learning from Quranic Examples of Parent-Child Relationships
• The Role of Parenting within a Broader Social Disorder
• Collective Responsibility: It Takes a Village
• Charting a Path Towards a Healthier Social Order

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[accordion-item title="▽ The Satanic Seduction's Grip on Society: Breaking Free from Obscene Scenes"]

Speaker: Mufti Azeemuddin Ahmed
Time:  Sunday 5/28, 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM

Description: Our society is increasingly under the grip of damaging influences such as explicit content, which has become alarmingly mainstream. This session aims to shed light on this critical issue from an Islamic perspective, delving into the spiritual, mental, and physical harms, the underlying industry, and its destructive impact on relationships and emotional wellbeing.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• An Islamic perspective on explicit content
• The physical, mental, and spiritual harms
• The industry promoting explicit content
• The effects on marriages and relationships
• Depression, anxiety and suicide
• Overcoming this harmful addiction and triggers to avoid

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[accordion-item title="▽ From Perversion to Pride: A Journey of Sexual Identity and Morality"]

Speaker: Mawlana Yusuf Sulaiman
Time:  Sunday 5/28, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Description: In an era marked by rapidly changing social norms, concepts of sexual identity that were once considered taboo are now openly embraced and celebrated. This transformation has profound implications for our moral compass as a society and as individuals.  In this talk, we critically evaluate the journey from what was once deemed perversion to a contemporary pride, grappling with the challenges it poses for maintaining Islamic morality in today's world.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• Historical taboo of alternative sexual identities
• Societal shift to acceptance
• Consequences on societal norms
• Islamic guidance for contemporary challenges
• Reinforcing Islamic stance on sexual morality

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[accordion-item title="▽ The Cost of Connection: The Dark Side of Technology and Social Media"]

Speaker: Ustadh Muneeb Baig
Format: Roundtable Discussion
Time:  Sunday 5/28, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Description: In a rapidly digitizing world, technology and social media have become an integral part of our lives. While these tools can foster connection and knowledge, they also harbor considerable risks. From the devaluation of face-to-face communication to a breeding ground for negativity and deception, the darker implications of our digital era pose significant moral and ethical dilemmas. As such, we must grapple with these challenges within the Islamic framework, seeking balance and mindfulness in our interactions with the digital world.

Key Areas of Discussion: 

• Evolution of communication and its impact
• The deceptive nature of online personas
• Ethical concerns: privacy, trolling, misinformation
• Impact on mental health
• Importance of digital discipline within an Islamic framework.

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[accordion-item title="▽ The Music Controversy: Let's Get Real"]

Speaker: Ustadh Khalid Baig
Time: Sunday 5/28, 4:10 PM - 5:00 PM

Description: Music is generally considered to be a controversial subject in Islam. No doubt there have been heated exchanges between some big names in Islamic scholarship on this issue. People use this to justify whatever they want. But beneath the controversy lies an amazing consensus that is ignored. We look at the controversy and the consensus.

Key Areas of Discussion: TBA

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[accordion-item title="▽ Nurturing Tomorrow: The Role of Parents in Shaping the Future of Their Children (Urdu Talk)"]

Speaker: Mawlana Muhammad Abdul Muiz
Time: Sunday 5/28, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Description: TBA

Key Areas of Discussion: TBA

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