INTENTION OF THE WORKSHOP
“Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (13:11)

IN SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 2007

MAFEKING
Dates: 6, 7 & 8 July 2007
CONTACT FAROUK AYOB: 0183-810280 / 832313486
Email: ayobfarouk@yahoo.com

BENONI
Dates: 13, 14 & 15 July 2007
CONTACT: CHANNEL ISLAM
SUMAYA: 011-2132700, Email: sumaya@ciinetwork.net

PIETERMARITZBURG
Dates: 20, 21 & 22 July 2007
CONTACT: ZOHRA: 029 832364028

IN DUBAI - JULY 2007
ABU DHABI
Tentative Dates: 26, 27 & 28th JULY 2007
For Details & Venue Contact: Mr. Majid Mukarram
Mobile: +971 50 6536921. Email: mmdxb@yahoo.com

IN KUWAIT - AUGUST 2007
Dates: 28, 29, 30 & 31st August 2007
For Details & Venue Contact:
Mr. Munawar Mohammed
President, Friday Forum
Mobile: +965 7222947 Email: munawar@hotmail.com

IN KENYA - SEPTEMBER 2007
MOMBASA
Tentative Dates: 8, 9 & 10th Sept 2007
For Details & Venue Contact: Mr. Hanif Virani
Mobile: +254 723777867 Email:hmv_hmv@yahoo.com

PEACE FOR YOU+
International Foundation
Committed to make a difference
Bangalore, Email: awskhan@gmail.com

In this era of crude materialism and self-centeredness, it was a radical change for the Islanders of Andaman and Nicobar, to witness a unique workshop “Discover Yourself” conducted by Br Sadathullah Khan, Editor Islamic Voice, Bangalore.

The three-day workshop held from 21-23 April 2007 at Andaman Tamizhar Sangham, Port Blair. It was a turning point in the lives of nearly 150 participants, which provided them a new direction in life. The participants witnessed a change in their attitude and life after the workshop and left with renewed commitments and a new zeal in relationships. It helped them in controlling their ego, anger and discovering their responsibilities towards the Creator and its Creations.

Br Sadathullah Khan in his inimitable style draw the attention of the participants towards the inherent weaknesses of human being. He showed the various easy-to-adopt methods to overcome them and the participants experienced the bounties of Allah through getting close to Him. Erasing all burdens of the past and the worries of the future, the participants chose to the life to live a content life and live in the present in the domain of Allah with total surrender to the will of Allah.

The workshop was an eye-opener for many, who although knew a lot about Islam, but were lacking the method of practicing it. Instead of seeking happiness in worldly things, Khan guided like a coach, to seek peace and joy in the company of Allah.

Rather than ruing about the past, we need to look into the possibilities and change our perspective and excel in all fields, he advised. He also demonstrated how we can take control of our lives.

Through lively presentations, Khan engrossed the attention of the participants in all the sessions for three days and made them realize their responsibilities as the Khalifa of Allah on this earth.

The workshop was organized by Islanders Social Movement for Awareness and Training (ISMAT), a women’s initiative, based at Port Blair.

Here participants share their opinion, views and experiences at the three day conclave where being positive all the time was the hallmark of the workshop.

JUWARIA: I thank Almighty Allah for making me attend this workshop, then ISMAT for organising the same, last but not the least I thank Br. Sadath for holding this workshop in such and excellent manner. Earlier I used to get angry and react quickly and was worried. Now I am able to take control of my anger, and also able to create alternatives and choose. I have learnt how to surrender to the will of Allah and be a true khalifa for which we have been sent in this world. I pray to Allah that all of us should be guided like this and more and more persons like Sadathullah khan should evolve in this world to spread peace and happiness everywhere.

MEHNAZ: This workshop cleans you up surely. I feel now like a brand new car, anxious to zoom off on the straight path of Allah.

SAJIDA: The workshop was an eye opener. It has changed my views towards life. I used to judge my present by my past experience and all these days I was carrying along with me the bitter burdens of my past. Now I have learnt to live in peace by forgiving others. I have no words to express my thanks for the organisers of this workshop. I came to know about this workshop from my sister in Bangalore. Attending this workshop for me is like a dream come true to change my attitude towards life.

ZEENAT: I came in on the first day of the workshop (as a 12 year teenager) with pressure and lots of expectations of studies by parents but today as I write this feed back at the end of the workshop I am surely much more relaxed and free from all feelings of aggression, anger which was due to tension and pressure. I am sure it has been an enchanting experience for me, thanks to Bro. Khan and members of ISMAT. Now I can face my future with full of confidence and a good moral foundation, I am ready for all the temptations that would come in my way with a big ‘shut up’ to the inner voice.

SABIRA: Nice presentation. Before the workshop I was in darkness. Now my eyes are opened and I feel better. Before the workshop my life was in tension, I never had peace. But after this workshop I have mental peace, my thinking has totally changed and all the negativity removed which I had for years for others. This has brought purity in my soul. It has totally changed my attitudes towards my friends, parents and towards self. It made me to be true to myself. I was afraid of facing challenges but now I am ready to face any challenge in my life. Thank you very much for changing my mind and soul. My experience in this workshop was fabulous and interesting.

AJAY KUMAR: Before the workshop I was very angry on others and very careless. But after attending this workshop I became cool, careful and my negative habits changed. It is my first workshop and I enjoyed a lot. I will be true in my religion but will have tolerance towards other religions.

REHJAUL: Before the workshop I was unfaithful, disobedient, and blaming others for the happenings. My point of views was always against my parents, sister and friends and I always use to quarrel. But after attending the workshop my thoughts, character and my thinking also changed into positive one. I am very happy that I came to the workshop, I learnt about Iman and akhirah. I promise that from today onwards I will not leave salah (namaz).

NASEEF: I would like to say that this was my first such workshop and I have no words to explain it. This workshop taught me to be in the present and be optimistic in life. Showed me the right path and made me pure. I have discovered myself and I know my position in the present.

GULZAR: Before coming to the workshop I use to wonder, how is it possible to change the person or one’s thoughts or way of thinking in just three days. But after attending the workshop for these three days, I thank Allah and janab Sadathullah who is taking so much pain and hard work, to see that more and more people live a quality life and be a true Muslim. I am so much changed myself that I am feeling so light and I am thinking that if I would have attended this workshop earlier I could have saved so many relations who have died of wrong and right and of ego. Your workshop is a must for the teenagers, like a basic degree forthose stepping into the new life, new circumstances after marriage. So it is very important to take this workshop before marriage. Masha Allah it is Allah’s grace that Allah made me to attend this workshop and change me and purify me from all the filth.

NAZIMA: My purpose of attending the workshop was to know more about ‘ME’. Through this workshop I learnt how ‘HOLLOW’ all of us are and ‘I’ was. I was shaken terribly and realized the ‘reality of life’ and what kind of filthy world we are all living in. Slowly and patiently with the keys and techniques, I learnt to control my innermost desires and temptations. I could replace the feelings of anger, dissatisfaction and resentment with love, patience and most of all ‘Surrender my self to Allah’, the most Beneficent and most Merciful. Alhamdulillah I am at peace and pray to Allah that I stick onto the principles and techniques I learnt in this workshop, come what may. My request is, keep such workshops more often so that more people can transform.

MUSTAFA: Before the workshop I was blind and was not able to see light. I use to do things for people’s sake but after the workshop I will do things for the sake of Allah and accept what is good and bad. Now I can live a peaceful life by doing all the things that Allah loves.

MAQSOOD: I was carrying all the filth in my head related to past and dealing with family members, relatives and friends. Now my head is clear and empty. I am giving up all the negativity, finding faults with others, thinking I am right and others are at fault. I will surrender to the will of Allah. I will honour my word and Integrity will be my top most priority.

YASMIN: It was an excellent and very interesting workshop. I feel each and every Muslim should attend this workshop and make their life – happy, contented and successful. Your coaching is excellent, you give live experience as examples and your method of expression is very good. More such workshops should be conducted in the light of Quran and sunnah to help our Muslim community to regain their good name and respect.

SHAZIA: The workshop has changed me to a certain extent. I feel free from all the tensions and worries which was bothering me. This workshop has also changed my son, who was very disobedient, arrogant and stubborn. At the end of the second day he came and apologised to me. I was so happy and I hugged him and gave him a kiss. I am very grateful and look forward for more workshops.

SARAH: It was a wonderful experience, Just three days are not enough. When I entered, my emotions, feelings were full. But as the days passed I realized, whatever, I was carrying was just a waste, torturing myself. I am thankful to sadathullh for making my life so easy. It’s great, I have changed and it makes a difference to my family, their attitude towards me have changed, because I changed. You have made me come near to Allah, it is just the principles and values that brings us near to Allah. May Allah bless you jannah.

RAZIA: After the workshop I was so light, before I was filled up with filth. I have forgiven everybody. Speaking with love to my children, husband, relatives and friends. I feel soo good and light, like a feather. I feel that Allah is loving me and fulfilling all my needs. This journey of workshop has touched and purified my soul. I feel so royal by having superior characters in me. This new world, a new change is bringing me close to Allah and more love for Allah.

HIBA: I was a short tempered girl. I used to get angry for small things but after attending this workshop I stopped getting angry for small reasons. My parents were shocked to see me not getting angry. I was a girl who had so many doubts and after coming here all my doubts were cleared. When I first heard about the workshop I hated and reacted what I will do there for three days. When I attended the first day I enjoyed and had a lovely time. Please keep this workshop for 5 or 6 days. I really now experience that I have come close to Allah (swt).

The Three-Day Discover Yourself Workshop was conducted in Kochi, Kerala at ‘Woodlands Manor’ on 8, 9 & 10th June 2007.

The participants share their experiences after the Workshop.

JAMEELA: I was a very depressed, sad and guilty person before the workshop. I had lost two of my children and was always worried about my only son. After attending the workshop and personally speaking to sir, I feel that I am much more lighter and happier. I feel like letting go of my tension and worries. I now have the strength to speak with my husband and son freely on the loss of our sons and not hold back pretending that everything is right.

NOORAIN: This workshop has proved to be really fruitful for me in many ways. It has reformed me and transformed me into a better Muslim. The change is within me, you know yourself better. By accepting the realities and facts of life, you actually seem to accept life as it is. Thus make this place-this world a better place to live in. It was the way it was presented that made it all the more interesting. Allah of course is the greatest power and strength in the universe. Such workshop really makes a difference in our lives in some way or the other. I wish our spouses to get an opportunity to benefit.

SAMINA: I had made my life miserable. Now I feel that it was my mistake. This workshop has helped me become a good wife, a good mother and a good human being. Instead of adding fuel to the fire, I can be cool even in the fire. I want to make my life, my home a place of love not a place of hatred and jealousy. I want to make my husband feel that he has got the best wife and I want my daughter to have the best mother so that I can experience a lot of love from them. I think it has started working. Thank you brother, you have changed my life.

KIRAN: The workshop was really wonderful. After coming to the workshop, I think my tension has come down, now before shouting at my children, I think twice. Difference of opinion between my husband and me has come down. I feel happy and calm.

NAZIA: Before attending the workshop, my main feelings were anger and getting back at others (especially spouse and children) for saying and doing things against my wish. Now I feel that if I am good and sweet to them, they will reciprocate my feelings and be good to me. On the second day when I went home, I did not create a fuss about the house being in mess or scold the children. I spoke to them with love and calmness and there was peace in my house. I have realized that I am responsible for maintaining peace and harmony in my home. If I am happy then my family is happy. The whole outlook of looking and judging others has changed. The act of loving others for the sake of Allah has brought this change.

SAJIDA: My life was full of negative feelings. Now I feel very light. First and second day was very good. I removed all the garbage from my head. I could concentrate on my namaz. I have now the power to control my nafs. I would like to surrender myself to Allah totally, I want Him to control my life and guide me. I want to fill my heart with positive feelings and Iman. I am giving up blaming my spouse, in-laws and my negative feelings. I like you to come to Kerala every month.

YASMIN: I have become more patient. I understand other people better. I for the first time in many years did not fight with my sister. I kept quiet whenever we were on the verge of it and even she did not go on. It was really good. This was something that was bothering me for a very long time. And now I am free. I feel I am happier, alive and that I can get 90% in my 12 board exams.

SUMMAYA: Before the workshop I used to be a nagging and short-tempered mother but now I have learnt to listen to my children without judging them. However irritating it might be, I talk to them calmly and now they reply to me the same way. I know the workshop is working. I am happy now.

TASMIA: Before attending the workshop, I was confused and could not think straight. This workshop was like a light from darkness for me. Everything that was happening in my life has become clear. I am able to forget and forgive everyone. I am able to see everyone in a new light.

AMINA: Before this workshop: I use to get angry soon, never listen to my parents and even I look others with bad view. I had bad thoughts whether I will be happy after my marriage. After this workshop: I have changed my self. I am able to control my anger and listen to my parents patiently. Now I feel good about others. They all look good to me. The bad thoughts about marriage removed and now I accept every thing and will make my husband, my family and myself happy.

TASNEEM: I found a dramatic difference in my life after attending the workshop. The change in the attitude of my relatives who also attended the workshop towards me made me very happy. They communicated with me with an open heart, which made my heart lighter, and I also reacted to them in the same way. The atmosphere in my family changed, benefiting all of us.

The Three-Day Discover Yourself Workshop was conducted in Dubai at ‘Star International School’ on 13, 14 & 15th June 2007.

The participants share their experiences after the Workshop.

AYESHA: Before the workshop my perception about my life was different-very much negative, always blaming others or holding others responsible. The first day of the workshop was a difficult one as I could not understand much, due to lot of confusions. But gradually things became easy and clear after attending the next two days of the workshop. Now I am not bothered about my past, but to make efforts to make my future by being in the present.

SARA: This workshop has helped me come out of the box in which I was living since my childhood. I was a short tempered girl and I especially get more irritated by my father and mother and other people. But since the workshop, I have started, my fight with my nafs and have stopped judging people, my family and everyone. Now I am able to communicate much better with my family.

ZAHRA: Alhamdulillah! It has definitely opened up my eyes, my perspective, my mind and heart. I feel now I can see tings from a different view, in that hurting non-especially myself. Masha Allah, I think the topics that were covered were the most basic ones- if we work on it and practice it every day, I think we can lead a healthy, happy life. The teaching skills were different. As for my family we have learnt to be more open and frank with each other. That way there is just peace and happiness in our family.

AHMED: I have learnt to analyse my actions and correct the mistakes committed in the past, control my anger and interact with my family members and colleagues by listening to them and try to overcome the problems in day to day life.

ALI: Before the workshop, it was difficult to stop waswas (inner negative voice) and to take grudges out of my heart. I learnt to forgive. I found my identity, my voice! I know the choices, I make, I am responsible for them and it is in my hand to declare my future in a positive way!

ANWAR: I was in past, blame, reasoning, unconscious, unforgiving, revenge, pride and enemity world to present, choice, consciousness, forgiving, realiza- tion and responsible world. I changed my background from human doing to human being.

NASEEM: Very useful! It refreshed and nourished me with more good, positive thoughts. I learnt to live in the present. I never ‘thought’ of the question ‘Who am I?’ this question itself helped me to discover myself. I am quite well relieved from my tensions. The workshop is worth. A valuable one, Insha Allah will uplift our community.

SHAH: Life was going as if it was a train of stress. Even good things were looking to be threatening. If any body would say a word, I would immediately give back a befitting reply. This workshop has given me an opportunity to create my future. I realized the importance of forgiveness. I was one of those avenging type that I would not leave anyone who has hurt me. My way of thinking has really changed, I am looking for a brighter future, Insha Allah. Good work. May Allah give you success.

SYED: Before the workshop, I had lack of confidence, not loving myself and hated my father more than anything in the world. After the workshop I asked forgiveness from my father, started loving my parents, wife and humanity from my heart. It has totally transformed my life.

ZAHIR: My future had tons of past which blinded me. It opened my view and made me realize that we live in an unreal world. It connected me to my family, I got back the real family members whom I loved and cared. It gave me an opportunity to know my weaknesses, now I can work on removing them.

Life & Relationships