Read Madinah and Bab Report (2014)
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Read Madinah and Bab Report (2014)
Madinah & Bab al-Ilm 2014 SHORT SUMMER COURSES IN IRAN - ANNUAL REPORT T: +44 (0)20 8954 9881 E: [email protected] www.world-federation.org Registered Charity (UK), No. 282303 Contents 1. Introduction 4 2. Course Preparation 4 3. Venue 5 4. Course Details 5 5. Gender Allocation of Participants 6 6. The Arrival 7 7. The Course Outline 8 8. Qum - Academic Programme 8 9. Qum - Cultural/Recreational Program 12 10. List of Place svisited 12 11. Trip to Hamadan 14 12. Tehran 16 13. Mash’had 17 14. Nishabur 18 15. List of Place svisited 18 16. Closing Ceremony 19 17. Farewell 19 18. Participants Feedback 20 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Haram of Sayyida Fatima al-Ma’sumah (sa) Introduction The Madinah and Bab al-Ilm summer courses are a regular feature on The World Federation calendar. For 3 weeks every year, youths from various parts of the globe gather together in the Islamic Republic of Iran in pursuit of education, cultural appreciation, spirituality and recreation. The aim of the course is to serve as a post-Madrasah education initiative, integrating academic scholarship with an experience of the cultural relevance of Islam in the modern age. It is hoped that the experience will bring about a sense of enhanced self-knowledge and understanding leading to higher levels of spirituality and as a result, greater service to humanity in worship of the Almighty Allah (swt). Course Preparation This year, the World Federation of KSIMC – Qum Office had the honour of hosting a group of approx. 50 participants from three continents and from a variety of academic, familial, geographic and linguistic backgrounds. The course planning began almost 6 months prior to the landing of the participants in Iran and was backed up by the constant and selfless administrative and logistical support of the Islamic Education Board Office and the regional bodies: AFED, COEJ, Dubai and other Islamic centers. Three-day mentor training sessions were held for the third consecutive year in Dar al Zahra (sa), Qum. These were facilitated by Sh. Abbas and Qasim Gulam Husain. Sh. Khalfan contributed as a guest speaker in one of the sessions. 4 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Venue The first two weeks of the course were set in the spiritually-charged city of Qum al-Muqaddasah. The brothers resided at Dar al-Zahra (sa) while the sisters stayed at the pristine Jamia al-Zahra (sa) campus. During their stay in Qum, participants took part in many activities within the city and in the suburbs where they visited historical, natural and pilgrimage sites. The last week of the camp was spent in the Holy city of Mash’had for the ziyarat of the beloved eighth Imam (as) where various spiritual and academic programs were conducted. Course Details Dates: 4th August 2014 (Monday) – 24thAugust 2014 (Sunday) Student allocation: Bab al-Ilm participants (ages 14-17) = 21 Madinah al-Ilm participants (ages 18-24) = 17 Mentors = 9 Sh. Khalfan delivering a lecture for mentors: Importance of mentoring in Islam 5 Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 The World Federation Gender Allocation of Participants 13 10 Madinah Boys Madinah Girls Bab Boys 4 11 Bab Girls Madinah al-Ilm 6 Bab al-Ilm Girls Boys Girls Boys AFED 4 2 2 2 COEJ 6 2 5 8 Bosnia 2 / / / Dubai 1 / 4 / Total 13 4 11 10 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Mentors and participants listening to Sh. Kumail The Arrival On the 4th of August 2014, the first group of participants arrived and they were received at the airport by Qum Office staff members. The long flight and the overnight lag had not dampened the spirits of the participants whose faces were lit up with excitement for a journey of a lifetime! The students settled into their residences and rested for most of the morning. An opening ceremony was held at WF Qum Office, Dar al Zahra (sa), where Sh. Kumail Rajani welcomed them and described the core philosophy of such courses and explained the concept of servitude. After this, they were briefed about the goals and expectations of the course and its management and were advised on health and logistical tips for the duration of their stay in Iran. Later, the participants were driven for their very first emotional Ziyarat to the Haram of Sayyida Fatima al-Ma’sumah (sa) and Maghribayn Salaat. Tears and emotions were clearly visible on the faces of this young generation. 7 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 The Course Outline The 3-week course was organized in a way that would facilitate personality development based on Islamic values and principles, all the while maintaining resemblance with the Hawza style of living. The programs, both in Qum and Mash’had, were fully planned and scheduled, while a scope of flexibility was built in, to avoid rigidity and maintain buffer for adaptability and change. In Qum, the young people were encouraged to settle gradually into the schedule and the same pattern was extended to the Holy city of Mash’had, resulting in maximum benefit for the participants. Qum – Academic Program The academic component was geared towards the intellectual faculty of the participants and aimed towards furthering a study of Islam through its primary sources – the Qur’an and the Ahl al-Bayt (as). It consisted of the morning program beginning with Fajr Salaat followed by the recitation of Qur’an and a short inspiring tafsir of one of the verses by Sh. Kumail Rajani. Sometimes, participants began their day with Fajr prayers at the Haram of Sayyida Fatima al-Ma’sumah (sa). Despite of the busy and hectic schedules of the long summer days, the passion for ziyarat was obvious in the youth who were awake and ready to take part in Salat al Layl in the haram of Sayyida Masuma (sa)! Salaat at Haram of Sayyida Masuma (sa): It means a lot! 8 Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 The World Federation Classes started after the breakfast at 10 a.m. English-speaking scholars would dedicate instructional time to the participants every day and discuss issues regarding the meaning of life and its practicality, knowing one self, tawheed, Qur’anic principles and the philosophy of fiqh (Practical laws and Principles). Participants benefitted from learning opportunities beyond the classroom as well, through informal discussions with teachers outside class time and in informal gatherings. INSTRUCTORS SUBJECTS TAUGHT Sh Miqdad Rajabali Islamic way of life Sh Shoaib Muhammad Ali Tawheed and its practicality Sayyed Kazmi The causes of human decline Sh Kumail Rajani Knowing self Sh Khalfan Quranic principles of life Sh Kumail The reality of Nafs Sayeed Shabbar Biography of Imam Raza (as) Sis. Sajeda Daya Biography of Bibi Masuma (sa) and aulama buried in haram Sis. Najiya Shabbar shah Reality and goal of life, Imam Mahdi (atfs) and Wahhabiyat Having Lunch in traditional style with famous Iranian bread “Sangak” 9 The World Federation Mentors in close co-ordination with participants in an open-aired session Dua e Tawassul at Jamkaran 10 Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Shaykh Kumail explaining the importance of the hadith literature at Ibn e Babway’s grave Mount Khizr: Sh. Kumail discussing the concept of Mahdaviyyat. A non Muslim Hungarian participated in the discussion group 11 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Qum – Cultural/Recreational Program The primary aim of the cultural program was to provide the participants with a perspective on ‘living Islam’ and its manifestation in our day-to-day life. This consisted of performing Ziyarats of the progeny of the Imams (as) buried in Qum, visiting the Jamkaran Mosque, meetings with high-ranking scholars, informal gatherings in the parks and also taking part in various recreational activities such as hiking at Mt. Khizr, swimming and sports. List of Places Visited · Tour of Haram and resting place of many great Scholars & Maraje · Masjid-e-Jamkaran (Dua-e Tawassul on Tuesdays) · Bait al-Noor: The worship place of Sayyida Ma’sumah (sa) · Mt. Khizr (as) · House of Imam Khomeini (ra) · Swimming · Soccer and cricket at local fields · Ansariyan bookstore · Dua-e Kumail program in Haram (on Thursday nights) · Salaat al Jum’ah in Haram Participants at historical places of Qum 12 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Ansariyan publication: Books are the garden for scholars Football: The game participants wanted to have every day! 13 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Trip to Hamadan After spending few days in Qum, a trip was organized to visit one of the most beautiful and historical place of Iran - Hamadan. Although far from Qum, it was worth the travel to explore the amazing wonders of Allah (SWT)'s Design. Waterfalls, hiking up the mountain for hours, rope-ways and boating were some recreational activities of the day. After spending a night in one of the hotels of Hamadan, participants headed towards the world's biggest water cave - Ali Sadr Cave - where they were enthralled by the beauty of this magnificent creation of Allah (SWT). They found no better words to express themselves with than Alhamdulillah and Mashallah! Boating in Hamadan 14 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Enjoying at the waterFall in Hamadan The cave of Ali Sadr 15 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Tehran The capital of the Islamic Republic was the last destination before heading to Mash'had. The day consisted of memorable events: from visiting the shrine of Imam Khomeini (ra) to visiting graves of martyrs and victims of terrorist attacks at Behishte Zahra (sa) cemetery and finally to soothe the nerves, the Ziyarat of the Grand Sayyid – Abdul Azeem al-Hasani (ra) and others from the progeny of AhlulBayt (as). Overall, the Tehran trip was quite successful. Students could not keep their excitement hidden as they moved from one event to another. Apart from the spiritual program, the participants visited Burj Milad, one of the tallest towers in the world from where the beauty of the entire landscape could be seen. Tehran: Shah Abdul Azim Hasani 16 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Burj Milaad, Tehran Mash'had Qum being the preparatory grounds, the participants charged with energy finally started their journey towards the essence of the program, ready for more knowledge, classes and spirituality. With a clearer perspective that the true understanding of religion is the essence for gaining closeness to Allah (SWT), the aim was to gain a bit more of this closeness by establishing a special connection with Imam Raza (as). The program was packed with ziyarat, classes, activities, visits to local sites and a lot of bonding sessions. Participants arrived at Mash’had at night via flight from Tehran, ready for their life-changing journey. The average day in Mash'had would begin at 9:00 am followed by a buffet breakfast at the hotel and classes inside the haram till the afternoon. Zohr salat would be prayed in the haram and after a good Iranian lunch, the next activity was shopping during which the young people spent time buying gifts for their parents, relatives, siblings and friends back home. At the end of the day, the group would flock back to the haram to rest and indulge in some personal meditation before heading to the hotel to rest for the next day. On one of the nights, Shaykh Kumail took the group for a three-hour tour of haram which was an amazing educational experience. 17 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Nishabur After the ziyarat of Imam Raza (as), the students were taken to Nishabur to visit the place where the foot prints of Imam Raza (as) are to be seen, Shrine of Bibi Shateetah (as) and the shrine of Imamzadeh Mahrooq and others from the progeny of Imams (as). On the way, participants would recite poems in Urdu and English and sometimes Nawhas followed with typical Indo-Pak wah wah's, Subhanallahs and naare Haideris! Sayyed Shabbar: Briefing at Qadamgah of Imam Reza (a.s.) Nishabur List of Places Visited · Tour of Haram and Museum inside haram · Nishabur · Dua-e-Kumayl, Dua e Tawasool and Namaz-e-Jum’ah · Graves of the Ulema buried around the haram · Bazar e Imam Raza · Water Park · Local Shopping malls and Bazaars 18 The World Federation Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 Closing Ceremony At the end of the week in Mash’had, the participants began setting their minds and spirits towards preparing for the climax of the whole course. At this ceremony, the participants were invited to share their thoughts and feelings about the camp and the student representatives spoke about their experiences on behalf of all participants. Mash'had: Closing Ceremony Farewell On Sunday, 24th August 2014, participants headed back to the airport from Tehran for their final journey back home after spending memorable weeks together; making life-long friends, learning about their faith and exploring their inner selves along the way. A few of the participants did not miss the chance of their last ziyarat of Qum as they had some time left for their flights. Participants were tearful as they separated from one another and boarded their respective buses. The Qum Office staff and volunteers felt blessed to once again be part of these successful summer courses, Alhamdulillah. Soon after the course, the participants were in touch with each other through social media, recollecting the memories of their spiritual journey and updating each other on different events at their local jamaats. The WF-Qum Office would like to thank and sincerely appreciate the efforts of all the office bearers and regional jamaats involved to make this course a success and we pray for the continued progress of all towards the source of all Perfection (SWT), insha'Allah. 19 Madinah & Bab al-Ilm Report 2014 The World Federation Participants Feedback Madinah & Bab 2014 was truly a life changing experience for me Alhm. InshA more youths will take advantage of this beautiful platform. Maleka Abbas Bab & Madinah Iran 2014 was an amazing experience definitely going back as a mentor iA. Adeela Zahra Shah Thank you for the amazing work you did at the bab/madinah course. My son is back all smiles! May Allah bless you all. Rizwan Hameer In the Name of our Great Lord Allah SWT – we truly gracious and grateful for the effort the mentors and organisers at have put in to make Hassan feel at home – we prayer for all involved and may Allah SWT’s send his glorious Blessings for all this world and hereafter – Duas and prayers … Andy Rubbani 20 "Making a connection with Bibi Masuma (AS), Imam Ar-Redha (AS) and our Living Imam (AFS) is an experience of its own which no words can explain it, but the closest I can get to describing it is the feeling that you've been born again. And that is why anyone who hasn’t participated in this journey should experience it themselves!" Amina Shabar from Bosnia