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16th Annual AMILA Spiritual Retreat "Nature As An Inspiration and A Sign Of Allah" September 22-23, 2007, Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Each Ramadan since AMILA's birth, we have joined together in a beautiful, remote location to enhance the spiritual rewards which this special month brings to us. The retreat aims to bring participants closer to Allah (swt), foster ties of brotherhood and sisterhood between participants, and increase knowledge in matters of Islamic worship. Our annual Ramadan Spiritual Retreat is now an AMILA tradition, and is looked forward to by members and non-members alike. For this Ramadan retreat we would like to focus on the connection between Islam and nature. "We shall show them Our signs upon the horizons and within their souls until it is clear to them that He is the truth." Quran 41:53. How can we use nature to nurture our spirituality and rememberance of Allah? What are our duties to preserve and respect all of Allah's creations? We hope to use our time in nature at the retreat to examine the inspiration and signs of Allah around us. This year we will have sessions hosted by community leaders as well as some sessions facilitated by group members. We are very happy to welcome back Sheikh Alauddin Al-Bakhri as one of our speakers this year. AMILA's Sixteenth Annual Ramadan Spiritual Retreat will, Insh'Allah, be held the weekend of Sept. 22-23, 2007. The retreat will start on Saturday at 10:00 AM and end on Sunday at 1:30 PM. It will be held this year at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Hostel off of Highway 1 (20 miles south of Half Moon Bay). The program will include lectures, discussions, group reflections on the Qu'ran and Hadith, iftar, dinner and suhoor, individual meditation, inspirational readings, taraweeh and tahajjud prayers, and outdoor hikes along the coast. In keeping with our theme, we want to make a concerted effort to "go green." We are asking participants to bring a plate, a bowl, a mug, a water bottle and utensils. This will eliminate the use of styrofoam and plastic. We will still have limited quantities of these items but we ask that each of us do our part for the environment. COST: The cost of the retreat is $70 for AMILA members and $90 for non-members. You may pay the 2007 AMILA membership fee of $40.00 ($75 for couples) when you register for the retreat, and receive the AMILA member discount. Payment confirms your place at the retreat, and is non-refundable after September 7th. Space is limited (approx. 25 people) and the retreat fills up every year so please register early. Registration fee includes meals, overnight lodging, registration and reading materials. It is important that you register as soon as possible, as packets with directions, readings and registration materials will be e-mailed upon receipt of payment. This year only on-line registration is available. KIDS: The retreat is an opportunity for reflection. This environment is geared for adults and can be challenging for young children. Please contact Shehnaz at (408) 981-7832, by Sept. 1, if childcare is a limiting factor for your attendance. TO REGISTER: We are accepting only on-line payment as well, this year. Please pay for the retreat at the time you register on-line. This is the best way to secure your spot. You can register using the form below. You will receive a registration packet including reading materials and site info once payment is received. Note: All spots in this year's retreat are filled; the form below will place you on a waiting list. Also, there is a $25/person cancellation fee for the AMILA retreat up to 2 weeks prior to retreat (September 7, 2007) and no refunds can be given after that point. (8/27/07)
WHAT TO BRING: Sleeping bag or bedding, a mat, and a pillow (sleeping quarters are equipped with cots); warm winter-style clothes; Qur'an & prayer rug; an inspirational reading (of any genre or author) to read aloud during our fireside evening, walking shoes, flashlight, pen and notebook. Reflections on the 11th Ramadan Spiritual Retreat "Sadaqa - Fullness of Spirit", November 23-24, 2002
The retreat was held in the beautiful backroads of Sausalito at the Marin Headlands Youth Hostel. The location was surrounded by woods and forests. The magnificent Pacific Ocean with its crashing and thunderous waves was only a 15 minute walk away. There were many longtime attendees at this retreat, but there were also some new faces that had never even attended an AMILA gathering that also came to participate in the retreat. Saturday morning, the first day of the retreat, began off with cloudy, overcast skys, but the attendees were sheltered and kept toastee warm by the heat of a fire provided by a woodburning stove and the generous forethought of some retreat participants of bringing in extra wood from home. The attendees were privileged to have three accomplished speakers to share their ideas and vision on our theme. We had one veteran guest speaker and two "freshman" speakers. The veteran AMILA Spiritual Retreat speaker was Br. Hakim Archuletta. Our incoming newbies were Dr. Nazeer Ahmed and Sr. Hina Azam. Based on the feedback received, all three speakers were very much appreciated and well received. The thoughts and knowledge that they each shared with the attendees were to be used as the foundation for Sadaqa. Sadaqa is a concept that does not only mean sharing of monetary wealth, but also of one's love, time, efforts, thoughts and even a simple smile. Sadaqa as explained in the Quran embraces all levels of giving as long as it done with sincerity. Sadaqa is just one of the many ways that we can all show our worship and love for Allah (swt). Interspersed throughout the retreat were group dhikrs, time for personal reflections, group reflections and sharing of personal inspirational stories and readings. This added that personal touch to an event such as this. At maghrib time, the attendees were privileged to have a wonderful, homemade meal provided to them. The coordination and dedication of the retreat volunteers really came through in the piping hot meal that was provided. Again the food was both well thought out of and a true joy and pleasure to eat thanks to the tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers who shall go nameless ;-). The retreat program officially concluded for the evening at around 9 p.m. on Saturday. However the energy and opportunity to spend such personal, intimate time with fellow Muslim Brothers and Sisters was too good to pass up for some. There were talks and discussions that occurred late into the evening. Early the next morning, the brothers had agreed to help prepare Suhoor and the sisters had agreed to perform the cleanup afterwards. The brother arose at 4:30 a.m. in order to get everything prepared for Suhoor. A warm breakfast was made for all and was enjoyed by everyone. The contrast of weather from Saturday and Sunday was very much appreciated. The cloudy, overcast day that occurred on Saturday cleared way to the Sun coming out on Sunday. This fit in perfectly to the planned nature hike from the Hostel to the Pacific Ocean (A blessing from above perhaps?). Although all were fasting, this gave way for an opportunity for everyone to get closer with and to experience Allah's (swt) creations up close and personal. The hikers headed to and enjoyed the ocean, which at the time had massive, thunderous waves crashing upon the shore. This is where some pure fun was had at the retreat. Br. Hakim had suggested a combination ocean race and contest. He as pleasantly surprised with 5-6 of the retreat participants took him up on the offer. Although the objective was to stay dry, a lot of fun and wet jeans were had as well. The retreat participants also came across a large see-saw. After a few minutes of coordination, we managed to get almost all the retreat participants on the see-saw at the same time. The retreat concluded with all brothers rising and hugging all their fellow brothers and the sisters rising and hugging all their fellow sisters. This was a truly, warm and heartfelt way to show the true family that we all must have with our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. I would like to Thank all the attendees of this year's retreat and Insh'Allah hope to see you at future AMILA gatherings and events. I would like to say a special Thank You to ALL members of the AMILA Retreat Planning Subcommittee coming forth and volunteering your time and efforts to help pull this retreat off in the time and manner that we did. There were many small details that needed to be addressed and Mash'Allah each and everyone of you came forth to help handle them. Insh'Allah, next year's retreat will be taking place on the weekend of November 1-2, 2003 at a new location, Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Hostel so mark your calendar now! As always there is room for improvement and I hope that I adequately captured some of the thoughts and emotions that were experienced by others at the Retreat. Thank you, Atif Qureshi Retreat Planning Committee | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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