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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260627T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260829T193000
DTSTAMP:20260714T151522Z
URL:https://www.arabamerica.com/events/on-hold-rediscovering-the-beauty-of
 -islam-lecture-series/
SUMMARY:ON HOLD - Rediscovering the Beauty of Islam - Lecture Series
DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\nFinding Faith\, Mercy\, and Purpose Through the Qur'a
 n - A Weekly Saturday Series with Dr. Safi Kaskas - ON HOLD\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA
 s-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh\,\n\nThank you to eve
 ryone who has been supporting our new Saturday series\, Rediscovering the
  Beauty of Islam with Dr. Safi Kaskas.\n\nTo ensure the series can contin
 ue in a consistent and beneficial way\, we are temporarily placing the pro
 gram on hold while we review its scheduling and logistics.\n\nOur goal is 
 to provide a dependable experience for everyone attending\, and we appreci
 ate your patience as we work through the details.\n\nIn shāʾ Allāh\, we
  will share an update as soon as the next session has been confirmed.\n\nP
 lease keep Dr. Safi\, this effort\, and our community in your duʿāʾ.\n\
 nJazākum Allāhu khayran\,\nICNVT\nRediscovering the Beauty of Islam - ON
  HOLD\nFinding Faith\, Mercy\, and Purpose Through the Qur'an\nProgram Vis
 ion\n\nMany Muslims today are searching for a deeper connection with Allah
  and their faith. Some grew up learning Islam primarily as a set of obliga
 tions without fully experiencing its beauty and mercy. Others struggle to 
 separate Islamic teachings from cultural expectations or are seeking answe
 rs to difficult questions in a rapidly changing world.\n\nThis weekly seri
 es aims to help participants rediscover Islam through the lens of the Qur'
 an—focusing on faith\, purpose\, mercy\, and authentic connection with A
 llah.\n\nThe goal is not merely to provide information\, but to cultivate 
 understanding\, healing\, and spiritual growth in a welcoming environment 
 where questions are encouraged and participants can engage meaningfully wi
 th their faith.\n\nThrough thoughtful reflection and discussion\, particip
 ants will explore topics such as:\n\n 	Building a personal relationship wi
 th Allah\n 	Understanding Islam beyond cultural assumptions\n 	Navigating 
 questions and doubts with confidence\n 	Rediscovering the purpose and wisd
 om behind worship\n 	Finding hope\, mercy\, and resilience through the Qur
 'an\n 	Strengthening family and community relationships\n 	Developing a fa
 ith rooted in understanding\, sincerity\, and love of Allah\n\nThe series 
 seeks to create a space where individuals can reconnect with the beauty of
  Islam and develop a stronger foundation for living their faith with purpo
 se and conviction.\n\nWhether you are looking to strengthen your faith\, r
 econnect with Islam\, or gain a deeper appreciation for the Qur'an's messa
 ge\, this series is for you.\n\nAll are welcome. Questions are encouraged.
 \n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat We'll Explore Together\n\nOver the course of this 12-we
 ek series\, we will explore questions of faith\, purpose\, worship\, famil
 y\, mercy\, authenticity\, and belonging\, all through the lens of the Qur
 'an and the Prophetic example.\n\nSemester 1: Coming Home to Faith\n\nWeek
  1: Islam Beyond Inheritance\n\n"Why am I Muslim?" - 6-20-26\n\nTopics:\n\
 n 	Faith by choice vs. faith by default\n 	The Qur'an's invitation to thin
 k and reflect\n 	Building a personal relationship with Allah\n\nYou are al
 lowed to own your faith journey.\n\nWeek 2: Separating Islam from Culture 
 -\n\nTopics:\n\n 	What is religion?\n 	What is culture?\n 	When culture en
 riches faith\n 	When culture obscures faith\n\nDiscussion:\n\n"Have there 
 been times where you've struggled to distinguish between Islam and cultura
 l expectations?"\n\nWeek 3: Faith\, Questions\, and Doubt -\n\nTopics:\n\n
  	The Qur'an's examples of questioning\n 	Ibrahim (AS) asking Allah to str
 engthen his heart\n 	Doubt as an opportunity for growth rather than shame\
 n\nStruggling with questions doesn't make you a bad Muslim.\n\nWeek 4: All
 ah's Mercy vs. Fear-Based Religion -\n\nTopics:\n\n 	How Allah describes 
 Himself in the Qur'an\n 	Hope and accountability\n 	Moving beyond guilt as
  the primary motivator\n\nAllah SWT invites us to Him through both hope an
 d accountability.\n\nWeek 5: Healing Our Relationship with Worship\n\nTopi
 cs:\n\n 	Why do we pray?\n 	Worship as connection\, not obligation alone\n
  	Rediscovering meaning in acts of worship\n\nIslam is meant to transform 
 our hearts\, not merely fill a checklist.\n\nWeek 6: The Prophetic Model o
 f Compassion -\n\nTopics:\n\n 	How Prophet Muhammed ﷺ taught people\n 	
 Gentleness and wisdom\n 	Balancing principles with mercy\n\nThe Prophet 
 ﷺ transformed hearts through wisdom\, compassion\, and patience.\n\nWee
 k 7: Faith and Mental Well-being -\n\nTopics:\n\n 	Anxiety\, burnout\, an
 d emotional struggles\n 	The Qur'an's recognition of hardship\n 	Spiritual
  resilience\n\nFaith does not eliminate human emotions\, it helps us navig
 ate them.\n\nWeek 8: Building Healthy Families -\n\nTopics:\n\n 	Mercy wi
 thin families\n 	Communication and respect\n 	Breaking cycles while honori
 ng parents\n\nBreaking unhealthy cycles can be an act of honoring those wh
 o came before us.\n\nWeek 9: Islam and Authenticity -\n\nTopics:\n\n 	Bei
 ng sincere with Allah\n 	Letting go of performative religiosity\n 	Faith a
 s transformation\, not appearance\n\nIslam is not an identity\, but a way 
 of life.\n\nWeek 10: Community\, Belonging\, and Disappointment -\n\nTopi
 cs:\n\n 	When communities fall short\n 	Separating Islam from people's mis
 takes\n 	Remaining connected despite imperfection\n\nWhen communities disa
 ppoint us\, Allah remains constant.\n\nWeek 11: Rediscovering Purpose -\n
 \nTopics:\n\n 	What Allah created us for\n 	Contribution and service\n 	Li
 ving intentionally\n\nYou were created for more than simply getting throug
 h life.\n\nWeek 12: Open Forum\n\n"The Questions We've Been Afraid to Ask"
  -\n\nAnonymous submissions.\n\nExamples:\n\n 	"How do I reconnect after y
 ears away?"\n 	"What if my family pushed me away from religion?"\n 	"What 
 if I struggle with certain teachings?"\n 	"How do I know Allah loves me?"\
 n\nWhether you are strengthening your faith\, reconnecting after years awa
 y\, navigating difficult questions\, or simply seeking a deeper relationsh
 ip with Allah\, this series offers a welcoming space to reflect\, learn\, 
 and grow together through the guidance of the Qur'an.\n\n\n\n
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.arabamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2
 026/07/image-9-1.webp
CATEGORIES:Arab,Arab
 American,Community,culture,Discussion,Lecture,Music/Folk/World
LOCATION:Islamic Center Northern Virginia Trust\, 4420 Shirley Gate Road\, 
 Fairfax\, VA\, 22030\, United States
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=4420 Shirley Gate Road\, Fa
 irfax\, VA\, 22030\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Islamic Cent
 er Northern Virginia Trust:geo:0,0
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DTSTART:20260308T030000
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