Recap & Resources:
ISLA Leadership Retreat 2023
Approximately 70 educators gathered at the Diyanet Center (MD) for the ISLA Leadership Retreat 2023.
Participants get a tour of Al-Huda School
Dr. Haroon Baqai, Principal of Al-Huda School, and the staff at the school, set the tone for the weekend by graciously hosting us at their impressive school. Their hospitality left a lasting impression through their generous gift bags with textbooks, bookmarks and insulated stainless steel mugs, to the delectable brunch from locally owned Muslim caterers.
The school tour made it evident that Al-Huda School integrates various elements of holistic education in Islamic schools, demonstrating a commitment to supporting the spiritual, social, and academic needs of their students, staff and families.
From their community engagement projects, to beautiful student-created murals that showcased the connection between the Battle of Uhud and the current crisis in Palestine, to the student-centered textbooks that help enliven Islam in the hearts of students, the visit to Al-Huda School was an unforgettable treat for all those who were able to attend.
Senior girls’ class at Al-Huda School created a captivating mural connecting the Battle of Uhud to current events in Palestine.
Sr. Afeefa Syeed and Uzma Baig from Al-Fatih Academy share key aspects of the process of creating a Family Life Education curriculum grounded in an Islamic worldview.
After our enlightening school visit, we gathered at the mosque within the Diyanet Centre of America for the Jummah prayer. Before the prayer, Imam Dr. Talib Shareef delivered a thought-provoking Jummah khutba. His discourse delved into the nuanced topic of gender and sexual identity, viewed through the teachings of the Quran and hadith, providing valuable insights. This session not only deepened our understanding of the subject from an Islamic perspective but also offered a lens through which we could better grasp the narrative in alignment with our Muslim identity.
Sr. Qur’an Shakir & Dr. Shaza Khan were the first speakers at the retreat. They helped us understand the importance of Breaking the Silence on the topic of health and sex education. They went through ISLA Norms in order to cultivate a safe space for educators to share concerns, thoughts, and insights throughout the weekend.
For educators, delving into a space of introspection and heartfelt connection is crucial. That’s precisely why one of the earlier sessions was around “Heartwork” with Dr. Seema Imam. Each educator received a thoughtful care packet, equipped with items designed to encourage mindfulness and foster personal growth within their hearts.
One of the most eagerly anticipated sessions at ISLA’s Leadership Retreat 2023 was undoubtedly led by Dr. Amber Khan. An expert in comprehensive health education with an Associate’s Degree in Islamic Studies, Dr. Amber’s session, titled “Unleashing the Potential of a Comprehensive K-12 Health Education,” proved to be a treasure trove of insights for educators. She navigated various talking points, emphasizing the significance of addressing health and sex education. She guided educators on how to broach the topic at different grade levels, tailoring discussions to align with the age and understanding of the students.
Following this, a professional development session unfolded featuring ISLA’s esteemed board member and PD provider, Rasha El-Haggan, delving into “Health & Sex Ed in YOUR School.” The session predominantly centered on a SWOT Analysis workshop. Attendees, divided into groups according to their respective schools, engaged in identifying the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats pertinent to addressing the topic within their individual school practices. This collaborative exercise empowered each school to comprehensively evaluate and enhance their curriculum planning for the future.
Abdul-Malik Ahmad trains participants on some basic Silat moves, a mixed martial arts stemming from Indonesia with Islamic influences.
At night, we gathered around a bonfire to discuss and share our approaches to understanding and educating ourselves on the complexities of health and sex education. Br. Mobeen Vaid, a subject matter expert and Muslim intellectual, initiated his session titled “Understanding LGBTQ+ Issues When Teaching Health & Sex Ed” at the cultural center. As the discussion deepened, we moved outside to sit around the bonfire, creating a relaxed atmosphere for open dialogue. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and share their opinions on the topic.
Imam Safi describes the essence of Al-Huda School’s curricular efforts.
The concluding day of the retreat featured yet another illuminating session where the Al-Huda School Staff generously imparted their school’s exemplary practices. Dr. Haroon Baqai, Principal; Imam Safi Khan, Founder & Imam; and Abdul-Qaadir Abdul-Khaaliq, Vice Principal, spearheaded a compelling discussion titled “The ABCs of UbD for a Unit on LGBTQ.”
Al-Huda School showcased a comprehensive curriculum meticulously crafted by their Curriculum Coordinator, Sr. Samira Hingoro. This well-structured curriculum, backed by expert guidance and abundant resources, is dedicated to educating children about LGBTQ issues. Notably, their holistic approach is distinctive, centering all aspects of learning around the fundamental tenet of Allah, rendering their teaching truly God-centered.
The culmination of the three-day retreat was marked by the ISLA Team’s closing session, led by Board Members Musarrat Jabeen and Br. Abdul Aziz. This session, centered around “Action Planning,” saw schools intricately mapping out plans to address the crucial topic of health and sex education within their Islamic School. Executive Director Dr. Shaza Khan facilitated a moment for schools to unwind and share the impact of the current state of the Muslim world on them. She then delved into envisioning the future for Islamic schools, extracting insights from the Leadership Retreat on the theme “Breaking the Silence: Addressing the Realities of Health and Sex Education for Islamic Schools.” Adding a touch of mindfulness, ISLA’s Vice Chair, Dr. Patricia Salahuddin, conducted a Heartwork session, guiding attendees through a reflective exercise. The session concluded with Imam Safi Khan leading a dua, joined by all attendees in a collective moment of prayer.
We extend our gratitude to our sponsors for helping us make this event happen:
Al Huda Global, Guidance College, Noorart, Tarteel, TISA (The Islamic Seminary of America), Masjid Solutions, Sunan, Yaqeen Institute, Barzinji Foundation, LegacyX2
Resources:
[embeddoc url=”https://theisla.masjidapps.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ISLA-Leadership-Retreat-2023-1.pdf”]
