IMA English Unit, an affiliate unit of the Indian Muslim Association (IMA), Kuwait, successfully organized a two-day workshop and counseling program titled Qur’an Retreat on January 17th and 18th, 2025. The event took place at the serene and well-equipped premises of Rajdhani Restaurant, Khaitan.
The primary objective of this retreat was to raise awareness about the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and its expectations from humanity, inspiring participants to become conscientious, responsible individuals capable of making a positive impact on society.
The retreat featured two eminent speakers, Dr. Taha Mateen, a distinguished scholar of the Holy Qur’an and a dedicated social worker, and Mr. Fahad Sarwani, a renowned life coach and scholar of the Holy Qur’an. The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
Mr. Fahd’s engaging and easy-to-understand explanation made it a truly beneficial session. He explained how the Quran divides people into believers, disbelievers, and hypocrites. Believers and disbelievers are clear in their stance, but the hypocrites remain concealed. Therefore, the Quran provides detailed descriptions of their traits, particularly at the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah. Hypocrisy manifests in various forms, including moral degradation, leading to what the Quran calls “diseases of the heart.”
“In their hearts there is a disease, and Allah has increased their disease.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 10).
These diseases include envy, hatred, anger, despair, and arrogance, which fill the heart with darkness. To remove these, we need to read the Quran, which dispels the darkness of such evils and illuminates the heart.
Dr. Taha Mateen, the main speaker of the program, delivered his lecture on the topic titled “Who are we? What is our relationship with our Lord, and what purpose does the Quran define for us?”
He further emphasized on the importance of introspection, stating that we cannot recognize Allah unless we first recognize ourselves. He urged us to free ourselves from the enslavement of our own desires and modern-day advancements.
Citing the example of Prophet Musa (AS) facing the magician’s ropes that appeared as snakes, he drew parallels to today’s technological advances, which may intimidate us. However, Allah reminds us to rely on Him, just as He instructed Musa (AS) to cast his staff.
The Quran liberates us from worldly dependencies and guides us toward servitude to Allah alone.
Dr. Taha Mateen reminded us that while we plan for our future, true decisions are made in the heavens. Success lies in aligning our will with Allah’s will rather than relying solely on our intellect and efforts.
While the topics covered by Mr. Fahad Sarwani focused on the transformative power of the Qur’an in bringing positivity to one’s life, Dr. Taha Mateen captivated the audience with his unique style, posing thought-provoking questions to encourage deeper reflection on what Allah SWT expects from us as per the guidance of the Holy Qur’an.
Both the speakers made the audience to realize that a strong connection with the Holy Quran can influence a person’s life and his way of thinking in a constructive and a meaningful manner through real life examples and experiences.
They engaged the audience with their dynamic and energetic presentations, fostering an atmosphere of enthusiasm and inspiration. The session also included a fascinating Quran quiz.
The retreat drew an impressive turnout, with approximately 150 participants attending across both days. Attendees actively engaged in the sessions, making the event a memorable and impactful experience.
The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Mr Jafar Sadiq, General Secretary of the Indian Muslim Association (IMA), followed by the felicitation of the speakers and a group photo session with participants and organizers, marking the end of a successful event.
The program was convened by Brother Khazi Owais on the first day and Brother Syed Mateen on the second day. The Qur’an Retreat was a testament to IMA’s commitment to fostering spiritual and personal growth within the community, highlighting the enduring relevance of the Qur’an’s teachings in our lives.
IMA Kuwait, an Indian socio-religious organization, operates under the patronage of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Kuwait. It focuses on providing a platform for the spiritual and social enhancement of expatriates living in Kuwait through various programs and social gatherings. It looks forward to organizing more beneficial programs in the future, catering to the needs of the expatriate community, especially the Indian diaspora.
