workshop Diary

Think of the North-East-Be it Assam or Manipur-the thoughts go towards the long insurgency in these States. The North-Eastern region has been isolated from the rest of India.Economically and educationally, the Muslims in the North-East have a spark in them to uplift themselves. Though the literacy levels of Muslims in this region does not present a rosy picture, they have a keen desire towards education and professional courses. Though Muslims in the North East are an enlightened lot in their own way culturally, Muslim initiative for growth is done at a very low profile unlike in southern India or the western region. Muslims here want to uplift themselves educationally, economically and religiously. They need support and guidance from the community.


That seemed one main reason for the overwhelming response to the “Discover Yourself” workshop conducted by A.W. Sadathullah Khan in November 2004. Travelling through Jorhat, Guwahati, Imphal and Behrampore, the workshop was attended in huge numbers by both men and women. This was the first time that Muslims in the North-East got exposed to a workshop that was thoroughly professional and also gave them insight and directions into their lives. It opened up ways and means for them to think of many possibilities by which they could better their personal and professional lives and contribute to the community. Here the participants share their experiences of the workshop.


Amidst this display of nature, Muslims of North-East got an opportunity of a lifetime to participate in the path-breaking three-day “Discover Yourself” Workshop, conducted by A.W.Sadathullah Khan in November 2004.


Travelling across Jorhat, Guwahati, Imphal and Behrampore, Sadathullah Khan imparted his knowledge about life and how we can take charge of our own lives, picking examples from the Quran and the Hadith. It was the first time that the North-Eastern Muslims got an exposure to this Workshop which has transformed lives of over thousands of Muslims across India.
Here the participants share their views on how the “Discover Yourself” Workshop gave them breakthroughs, directions and a new view to their lives.


SHAMS ( Jorhat): I was an angry and revengeful person and now I have given up anger and revenge from my heart. My life before the workshop was like a ship without the rudder. This workshop has given me a direction to my life. I have learnt a very easy way of life. I am thankful to the organisers.


SHAKEEL (Jorhat): Before attending the workshop I was confused. It helped me ground myself and my soul. I attained the knowledge that faith and action are of immense value. The workshop was spiritual, excellent and highly satisfactory.


NAZNEEN (Jorhat): I am feeling very happy by attending this workshop. I am thankful to Allah for sending you here. I had many wrong notions about my life, but now my whole opinion has changed. I got a new way of life. I am satisfied that we are the Khalifas of Allah. May Allah help you and your family.


SAYEEDA(Jorhat): From this workshop I benefited in many ways. I am giving up my anger, short- tempered behaviour and selfishness. The whole world has changed for me. I want to be a pure Muslim and represent Allah.


NASHREEN( Guwahati): The way I see myself changed after the workshop, is amazing. The outlook towards others also became wide. I could understand the other person’s view. I have become patient and calm. There is a sense of awareness (realization). I am feeling light.


KHANDAKAR (Guwahati): I found the workshop very practical and unique in respect of presenting Islam. I felt irritated if things are not kept in order and was a man of arguments. After attending the workshop, I have developed patience and have become forgiving It is a fact that old habits die hard, but I am confident that I shall make these qualities a part of my life.


FATIMA(Guwahati): Alhamdulillah from my childhood I got from my parents what I heard in this workshop. After the first day of the workshop, I woke up to find every thing bright and divine. This workshop is food for the ‘RUH’(soul)! And this food is needed to keep us alive. May Allah give you long - life and taufiq to transform the lives of all. One thing I want to say, three days are not enough for the workshop.


RASHIDA (Guwahati): I am a teacher, my sons are well settled. Ours is a close knit family. I have performed hajj. Though we are a very happy family in my core of my heart, I was always worried about my husband’s health, because he is a neuro-patient, very often I felt sad. After attending the workshop, I have overcome stress, came to know the purpose of life. We all have power to be whatever we choose to be, so I surrender completely to Allah. Now I am free. I will not judge anything. I will not make my life uncomfortable. If we want peace, we should keep our body, mind, emotions and energy peaceful.


NASREEN (Imphal): I think I have got all the things I need in my life in this workshop. It is really very beneficial and it can change one’s life. My life before the workshop was a mess. I was a short tempered girl and impatient. But after these three golden days, I have totally changed. I feel like I am in heaven. I feel light, flying like a bird. I can now concentrate on my namaz and my studies.


SHAMA (Imphal): Before the workshop I was totally a lost girl. I did not know how to control myself but now I am totally changed. I could control my feelings and my anger etc. I have learnt how to come close to Allah. This workshop is required in every city across the world SHAHNI (Imphal): After participating in this workshop, I feel very pure. I am surprised to see the changes in my life. I started listening rather than blaming my parents, friends and Allah. Finally, I found peace in my family. I felt as if everything is pure and I see the surroundings are beautiful. My family members are overjoyed, excited after I shared with them. There is no blame, anger or shouting. I am very happy with myself after seeing my family change. I thank you for discovering this workshop and for transforming people’s lives.


RUMAN (Imphal): Before the workshop, I quarrelled with my husband every time. I did not know much of Islam. I am very happy to attend this workshop, now I will never fight with my lovely husband. He is one of the judges after Allah to me. From today I shall be kind to all. I will live for Allah and follow the straight path.


SHAMEEM (Imphal): I have come to know through this workshop that unless I myself transform, I will not be able to migrate my heart from falsehood to truthfulness. Total surrender to Allah is the only key to Iman. This kind of workshop should be conducted in every city all over India. Our only Dua- a man like you should have a long life. We need a man like you on this earth for the transformation of the young Muslim generations.


HABIB (Berhampore): Before this workshop I was in darkness about Allah and soul. Now I have a clear conception about my creation and the purpose of His creation. For the first time, I feel that I am the representative of Allah. Now I am a responsible person to my family and society. In this workshop, I find myself as a new person.


ARIF (Berhampore): After this workshop, I feel I am changed magically. First time I came to know that Islamic knowledge can be shared by modern technology. Earlier I did not know how to lead my life? Why all these sufferings? How to over come my basic problem? But now I am completely free from all of my problems. This workshop helped me to be free?


RAHMAN (Berhampore): I am thankful to sir, for showing me the right path towards glory and made me realize who I am? Earlier I used to perform namaz but I did not get any result, so I stopped performing namaz and I started blaming Allah. But after attending this workshop I realized my mistake. Earlier I used to stammer and I could not express my feeling before elders. But this workshop removed my imaginary fear and made it disappear. I have got confidence now.


NAHIDA (Berhampore): Before this workshop I was living a sorrowful life because I could not achieve my goal in education. I was worried about the future but now I have no tension and have got confidence to face the challenges. I am thankful to Al Falah Mission for organising such a workshop.


SABIR(Berhampore): I am a student of Madrasa, so I was not completely dark about Islam. Yet from attending this workshop I am able to know Islam afresh and scientifically. I was conscious about my duties and responsibilities towards my family, but now, I realized that I had to do more.