BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN TZID:America/Detroit X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Detroit BEGIN:VEVENT UID:36459@arabamerica.com DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260620T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260829T183000 DTSTAMP:20260624T025425Z URL:https://www.arabamerica.com/events/rediscovering-the-beauty-of-islam-l ecture-series/ SUMMARY:Rediscovering the Beauty of Islam - Lecture Series DESCRIPTION:FAIRFAX\, VA\n\n\n\n\n\nFinding Faith\, Mercy\, and Purpose Thr ough the Qur'an - A Weekly Saturday Series with Dr. Safi Kaskas - June 20t h thru August 29th\, 2026.\n\n\n\n\n\nRediscovering the Beauty of Islam - (On Saturdays after Asr Salah - 6:30PM)\nFinding Faith\, Mercy\, and Purpo se Through the Qur'an\nProgram Vision\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 obligations without fully experiencing its bea uty and mercy. Others struggle to separate Islamic teachings from cultural expectations or are seeking answers to difficult questions in a rapidly c hanging world.\n\nThis weekly series aims to help participants rediscover Islam through the lens of the Qur'an—focusing on faith\, purpose\, mercy \, and authentic connection with Allah.\n\nThe goal is not merely to provi de information\, but to cultivate understanding\, healing\, and spiritual growth in a welcoming environment where questions are encouraged and parti cipants can engage meaningfully with their faith.\n\nThrough thoughtful re flection and discussion\, participants will explore topics such as:\n\n B uilding a personal relationship with Allah\n Understanding Islam beyond c ultural assumptions\n Navigating questions and doubts with confidence\n Rediscovering the purpose and wisdom behind worship\n Finding hope\, merc y\, and resilience through the Qur'an\n Strengthening family and communit y relationships\n Developing a faith rooted in understanding\, sincerity\ , and love of Allah\n\nThe series seeks to create a space where individual s can reconnect with the beauty of Islam and develop a stronger foundation for living their faith with purpose and conviction.\n\nWhether you are lo oking to strengthen your faith\, reconnect with Islam\, or gain a deeper a ppreciation for the Qur'an's message\, this series is for you.\n\nAll are welcome. Questions are encouraged.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat We'll Explore Togethe r\n\nOver the course of this 12-week series\, we will explore questions of faith\, purpose\, worship\, family\, mercy\, authenticity\, and belonging \, all through the lens of the Qur'an and the Prophetic example.\n\nSemest er 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 think and reflect\n Building a personal rel ationship with Allah\n\nYou are allowed to own your faith journey.\n\nWeek 2: Separating Islam from Culture - 6-27-26\n\nTopics:\n\n What is religi on?\n What is culture?\n When culture enriches faith\n When culture obs cures faith\n\nDiscussion:\n\n"Have there been times where you've struggle d to distinguish between Islam and cultural expectations?"\n\nWeek 3: Fait h\, Questions\, and Doubt - 7-4-26\n\nTopics:\n\n The Qur'an's examples o f questioning\n Ibrahim (AS) asking Allah to strengthen his heart\n Doub t as an opportunity for growth rather than shame\n\nStruggling with questi ons doesn't make you a bad Muslim.\n\nWeek 4: Allah's Mercy vs. Fear-Based Religion - 7-11-26\n\nTopics:\n\n How Allah describes Himself in the Qu r'an\n Hope and accountability\n Moving beyond guilt as the primary moti vator\n\nAllah SWT invites us to Him through both hope and accountability. \n\nWeek 5: Healing Our Relationship with Worship\n\nTopics:\n\n Why do w e pray?\n Worship as connection\, not obligation alone\n Rediscovering m eaning in acts of worship\n\nIslam is meant to transform our hearts\, not merely fill a checklist.\n\nWeek 6: The Prophetic Model of Compassion - 7 -18-26\n\nTopics:\n\n How Prophet Muhammed ﷺ taught people\n Gentlenes s and wisdom\n Balancing principles with mercy\n\nThe Prophet ﷺ trans formed hearts through wisdom\, compassion\, and patience.\n\nWeek 7: Faith and Mental Well-being - 7-25-26\n\nTopics:\n\n Anxiety\, burnout\, and emotional struggles\n The Qur'an's recognition of hardship\n Spiritual r esilience\n\nFaith does not eliminate human emotions\, it helps us navigat e them.\n\nWeek 8: Building Healthy Families - 8-1-26\n\nTopics:\n\n Mer cy within families\n Communication and respect\n Breaking cycles while h onoring parents\n\nBreaking unhealthy cycles can be an act of honoring tho se who came before us.\n\nWeek 9: Islam and Authenticity - 8-8-26\n\nTopi cs:\n\n Being sincere with Allah\n Letting go of performative religiosit y\n Faith as transformation\, not appearance\n\nIslam is not an identity\ , but a way of life.\n\nWeek 10: Community\, Belonging\, and Disappointmen t - 8-15-26\n\nTopics:\n\n When communities fall short\n Separating Isl am from people's mistakes\n Remaining connected despite imperfection\n\nW hen communities disappoint us\, Allah remains constant.\n\nWeek 11: Redisc overing Purpose - 8-22-26\n\nTopics:\n\n What Allah created us for\n Co ntribution and service\n Living intentionally\n\nYou were created for mor e than simply getting through life.\n\nWeek 12: Open Forum\n\n"The Questio ns We've Been Afraid to Ask" - 8-29-26\n\nAnonymous submissions.\n\nExamp les:\n\n "How do I reconnect after years away?"\n "What if my family pus hed 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 away\, navigating difficult questions\, or simply seeking a deeper relationship with Allah\, this series offers a welcoming space to reflect\, learn\, and grow together through the guidanc e of the Qur'an.\n\n\n\n ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.arabamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2 026/06/image-3-3.webp 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 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Detroit X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Detroit BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR