Sponsorships Available! Please contact us for details.
Nurturing The Soul - Becoming The Beloved of Allah
Speakers
Experience the wisdom of esteemed speakers who are renowned in their fields. Engage in enlightening workshops and discussions, as they share their knowledge, insights, and personal experiences. Deepen your understanding of self-care from an Islamic perspective through their diverse expertise and thought-provoking sessions. Prepare to be inspired, motivated, and empowered as you absorb the transformative teachings of our exceptional lineup of speakers.

Zainab Abdul-Rahim
LICENSED THERAPIST
Founder of the Muslim Wholehearted Initiative licensed therapist with a focus on mental health, rehabilitation through an Islamic lens
 Sabria Mills
BEHAVIOR COACH & THERAPIST
Social advocate and educator collaborating with educators, community leaders, and activists to promote inclusive spaces for people of all abilities. Unapologetic Facilitator of Dialogue and host of The DOPE Muslim Woman Podcast.
Khalidah Bilal
USTADHA, CHAPLAIN & LIFE & End-of-life COACH
Darul Uloom TT graduate (2007), serving as educator, crisis chaplain, spiritual & life/end-of-life coach. Advocate for domestic violence survivors & the homeless. Founder of Kindred Barakah, dedicated to providing care and compassion during life's most challenging times through fundraising for financial aid, grief counseling, & end-of-life support.
Haleh Banani
Licensed Therapist
Haleh Banani has her Masters in Clinical Psychology and has been serving the Muslim community since 1998. She is the founder of 5 Pillars of Marriage, A Global Support Group called The Mindful Hearts and the premarital program with comedian Baba Ali called Laugh and Learn. She had her own TV show called ‘With Haleh.’ She is an international speaker with an ijaza in the recitation of the Quran from Egypt.
Fuseina Mohamad
USTADHA
Graduate of the Qalam Seminary, Hafidha since 2018. Holds Ijaazah in the Ashara Sughra and Ashara Kubra readings of the Quran. Currently a student of Hadith at the Critical Loyalty Institute.
Esma El-Merini
Certified and licensed in Hijama therapy
Esma is a Board Certified Holistic Practitioner with over 26 years of international experience in holistic medicine. Committed to providing patient-centered care, she specializes in holistic health practices that promote healing through practicing the sunnah of hijama and overall well-being. With a deep understanding of traditional and alternative medicine, she strives to empower individuals on their journey to optimal health and vitality.
Dr. Tahir Khawaja MD
PRACTICING PSYCHIATRIST
Integrative & holistic child psychiatrist, board certified in adult & child/adolescent psychiatry & American Board of Integrative & Holistic Medicine.
 Shaheed Williams

USTADH
IOU Graduate in Islamic Studies, with Ijazahs in 40 Hadith, Al-Bayquniyyah, and Shama'il Muhammadiyyah, Dar El Qur'an Wal Hadeeth. Experienced speaker and instructor, sharing knowledge of Islamic Studies, and volunteering for over 20 yrs within the community and correctional facilities.
Hud Williams
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
With 20+ years in financial services, with an expertise in diverse fields: financial systems implementation, Sharia-compliant home finance, and more.
Mohammad Abdullah

ASSISTANT IMAM
 Currently Assistant Imam at Masjid Al Islam. National Spokesman of the Mukashfi Institute of America. Hifiz at 14 yrs.  Arabic and Islamic studies at the Zayed House for Islamic Culture
Speakers
 
Shaykh Gyasi McKinzie
Education Director MABL
With two decades in Islamic leadership, he led schools, served as Imam in Memphis, chaplain in prisons, and directed youth and dawah centers. He taught Islamic Studies, counseled, and now manages marketing at Helping Hand and directs education at Embrace.
Wadud Hassan
Certified Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence Teacher
A Certified Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence Teacher with a graduate degree in Leadership and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University.
Wadud Hassan is a veteran Teacher and Head of School focused on personal, professional, and organizational transformation at the intersection of Faith and science.

Arif Azlaan
Certified and licensed in Hijama therapy

Owner and lead practitioner of a network of sports therapy and pain management clinics across the DFW and Greater Chicago areas. With 15 years of experience, I am a multidisciplinary holistic practitioner specializing in the treatment of physical and neurological dysfunction. I possess expertise in the assessment and management of soft tissue issues, as well as in providing preventative care for both athletes and the general population, all aimed at enhancing overall quality of life.
Special Guests
Alongside our distinguished speakers, we've curated an exciting support lineup for an unforgettable experience.
Zakia Bint Salih Hakim
FITNESS COACH
A mother of 7 and grandmother of 3, is a dedicated health coach and fitness enthusiast. With a background in education, she transitioned to entrepreneurship, specializing as an Independent Herbalife Nutrition Distributor. Over 6 years, she's empowered countless individuals to adopt healthy, active lifestyles, leveraging her expertise in both physical and mental well-being.
Asiyah (Sheila) M. Paul, LICSW
licensed clinician, Lifestyle Design Strategist Coach, and experienced Yoga Instructor
Asiyah (Sheila) M. Paul, LICSW, is a compassionate and skilled psychotherapist who empowers individuals to achieve holistic well-being. As a licensed clinician, Lifestyle Design Strategist Coach, and experienced Yoga Instructor, she seamlessly integrates mind-body practices with evidence-based therapeutic approaches.Through her holistic practice, S M Paul Lifestyle Design, Sheila offers personalized guidance and restorative yoga to cultivate a deeper sense of connection, resilience, and wholeness in her clients.
Basheer Jones
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER & AUTHOR
Elected in November 2017, Basheer Jones became Cleveland’s first Muslim council representative. He represents Ward 7, an area which includes the historic Hough district, as well as the St. Clair-Superior, Midtown and Asia Town neighborhoods. For many years before his official role as councilman, Basheer Jones has served the nation as an activist and grassroots community leader seeking to create social change for the betterment of humanity.
GiftOfThePen Ellison
GIFTED WRITER AND PERFORMER
Shaketa (Gifted) Ellison, a Philadelphia native, is a prolific writer and performer. She has performed at various venues throughout the tristate area and the West Coast. She's published several works, volunteered in West Africa, and won multiple awards. Her latest project, "Gifted Women’s Healing CD," features the diverse stories of phenomenal women. Follow her on social media @therealgiftofthepen!
Miss Undastood
PUBLIC SPEAKER, EDUCATOR & PERFORMER
Tavasha Shannon, aka Miss Undastood, is a dynamic public speaker, educator, battle rapper, and Hip Hop artist from NY. An advocate against domestic violence, she’s toured internationally and appeared in Netflix's "40-Year-Old Version." She's also featured in Vogue Arabia and won the 2024 Woman of Impact Award.
Ascend's cabins are all climate-controlled and fully equipped with showers and bunk beds. Cabin capacity ranges from 5-40 beds. Currently, Ascend can accommodate 160+ people overnight. We have separate accommodations for males and females. This is done with utmost consideration for everyone's comfort and to create a conducive environment in line with Islamic principles.  We thank you, in advance, for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. The Dining Hall can seat up to 110 people. It is climate-controlled and attached to a fully-equipped kitchen.
 Nurturing The Soul - Becoming The Beloved of Allah 
Join us on October 11

Join us on a transformative journey of spiritual growth and self-discovery at our upcoming retreat, "Nurturing The Soul - Becoming The Beloved of Allah." Dedicated to our dearly beloved Sister Sakina Karim who passed away earlier this year, this retreat offers participants an opportunity to deepen their connection with Allah and cultivate a sense of belovedness within themselves.

This retreat offers attendees enriching workshops, reflective sessions, and communal activities designed to nourish the soul and foster a deeper understanding of their relationship with Allah. Drawing inspiration from Islamic principles of love, mercy, and compassion, participants will explore practical strategies for nurturing their spiritual well-being and embodying the qualities of the Beloved of Allah.

From the remembrance of Allah, to insightful discussions on self-care from an Islamic perspective, each aspect of the retreat is carefully curated to support attendees on their journey towards becoming the Beloved of Allah. Whether you are seeking inner peace, spiritual renewal, or a deeper connection with your faith, this retreat offers a sacred space for personal growth and transformation.

Join us as we embark on this journey together, guided by the light of Allah's love and mercy. Let us nurture our souls and embrace our divine potential as beloved servants of the Most High. All are welcome to experience the blessings of this retreat and deepen their relationship with Allah, the Beloved of all hearts.
Location
Ascend Camp & Retreat Center
5218 Kiwanis Rd, Dallas, TX 75236
Date & Time
October 11, 2024, 5:00 PM - October 13, 2024 - 3:00 PM
Contact Us
Thank you for your interest in our weekend family retreat. We are here to assist you and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] for any inquiries, concerns, or feedback.

Both Jabalu Nur & Kindred Barakah, are committed to providing a transformative retreat experience that aligns with Islamic teachings. Whether you have questions about the retreat program, accommodation options, or any other details, our team is ready to assist you.

Please don't hesitate to contact us at 682-268-0422. We aim to respond to all emails within 24 hours and provide you with the information you need to embark on a soul-nourishing journey.
Thank you for considering our retreat, and we look forward to assisting you on your path to self-care and spiritual growth.

We value your input and strive to create a supportive and enriching environment for all participants. Your feedback is essential to us as we continuously improve and enhance our retreat offerings.

Sincerely,
The Nourishing The Soul Team.
Our refund policy is as follows:

1. Full Refund: You are eligible for a full refund if you decide to cancel your participation at least 45 days before the event.

2. No Refund After 45 Days: Regrettably, after the 45-day mark preceding the event, we will be unable to offer any refunds for cancellations.
Join us on October 11
We look forward to hosting you!

Processing Registration...