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A Holistic Workshop with a difference
The Three Day Workshop “Discover Yourself” held from April 13, to April 15 in Kashmir Valley for the second time by A.W. Sadathullah Khan, Editor Islamic Voice was the turning point in the lives of several affected people who had participated in the workshop. The moment name of Kashmir comes to our mind we think of the people in whose heart there is deep sense of hatred against humanity. But the fact is entirely different and this is the rapidly changing scenario in this valley of hope.
Innumerable souls have sacrificed lives. Property worth billions destroyed. Our mothers, daughters and sisters raped, molested and widowed. Our children orphaned. Thousand of people are homeless and still countless are missing. These affected people used to look at leaders whom we thought are the “Messiah” who would help us to come out of anarchy. But all this having proved as an illusion and mirage. We were finding ourselves in helpless situation and in despair.
In addition to it, growing unemployment, corruption, black-marketing, favouritism and exploitation snatches away the hopes and dreams, even of the talented people too have faced the trauma. The selfish people are taking advantage of the prevailing situation to meet their own vested interests. Everyone is confused, disillusioned, fearful and insecure about future. This has made us the victims of psychic disorders and incidents of suicide are increasing at an alarming rate.
This workshop helped participants know that there is a world beyond, besides this. It let them know how they can find peace in their own souls. The contentment and gratification which they are trying to find outside, in the world, its source is present in every individual. This workshop helped the participants find the right key to open their eyes and look for the souls within. The workshop is designed for all, irrespective of caste, age, sex, religion etc. Although there was nothing new which Muslims were not aware of, in this workshop its essence was all Islamic. In this workshop, simple facts and its extra-ordinary uniqueness was all that was highlighted and it was conducted in such a way that it transformed the lives of those present.
This workshop has made the participants to make ‘Hijrah’ from the oratory life to a new life full of commitments.
The verse of the Holy Quran Allah does not change the conditions of the people unless they change what is in their hearts (13:11). The participants were totally reformed submitted their will to Allah and destined themselves to take the responsibility of making a difference in themselves and for others.
The workshop made us realize our responsibility of being the vice gerents (Khalifa) of Allah on earth. Muslims represent Islam and being vicegerents represent Allah. Islam stands for total submission to the will of Allah and peace. So, Islam is a religion and a complete way of life. Perhaps with this mindset when anything wrong happens to us due to our actions we take no times in blaming others, and in passing the buck to other people. We never try to see our faults and are following the Sirat-Ul-Mustaqeem.
This workshop was an eye opener and now we have the power to control our ego. We have begun to believe in self and have better relationships with others and it has been achieved. The workshop finally, not only answered many of our questions, but has opened our eyes from the thinking that Allah can not only be pleased only by following certain rituals, but throughout the life span with our deeds. Our minds and hands constantly work for creating troubles, blaming and making wrong to others, destroying the very fact of our creation for which Allah has made human beings as “Ahsraf-Ul-Makhlukat” (highest form of creation) i.e., to live and let live peacefully.
Here are Responses of some of the Participants:
RIYAZ: I participated for the first time in such a workshop. I am grateful to Allah (SWT) then and to you sir. This was a moment that I cannot express it in words. I. realised that I knew nothing about myself before April 13, I never knew before. Nobody, not even my parents have said this before. Your workshop has given me a rebirth and I don’t want to die now. As a first step I practiced honestly “Forgiveness” really worked hard on it and Zikr, the freshness and the sense of control that I observed was marvelous. It has changed my perception of life certainly. I could weep during Salah Sir. For God’s sake please be my coach. I have been looking for a guide for last 20 years, it has costed me large amount of pain, grief, and helplessness. I feel Allah (SWT) has given me a chance in your shape. Now, I feel I need your guidance to practice fully.
RESHMA: I don’t know what to say, there is a new depth in me, which I want to discover. I am wordless at this moment as a new world of unlimited glory has been opened to me. I am out of an illusionary world to live a life of reality. I have become stronger as I have the keys to take me to where I want to reach. Kindly hold such workshops frequently as the people in Kashmir are a lot under stressed and in depressions. We need your help to know ourselves better.
IMTIAZ: My life before attending the workshop was nothing. I have met many Sufis and scholars and they told me to meditate but I did not know how. You showed me the state (muqam) and now I am nothing. You have changed my life. It was in me and I was not able to find it. I have found Allah in my life. For me Allah has sent you as a mentor. You are going away now, I feel like crying. In just three days you have changed my relationship with Allah. Thank you, May Allah bless you and envelope you in His Mercy. The workshop was mind blowing, very interesting and I shall give infinite rating to this workshop.
NAZIR: Before the workshop my life was full of problems. I thought I am the only person dealing with a lot of stress. I tried many things to improve but in the end no results and back again to the usual pains. What I want to say about this workshop is that it changed me and placed me in the world of reality. On the first day, I found where I am in the position of myself and in the eyes of others. On the second day, I learnt how to accept and enjoy even in the worst conditions around me. On the third day, it was the reconnection, placing myself in perfect position of reality. Suddenly I was finding all the solutions to all my problems and I was free. You have coached in short to ‘play to win’ the game of life.
ARSHAD: Before the workshop, I was full of stress, no confidence, unbalanced and I was in search of correct Islamic way to lead my life and be a perfect Muslim. Alhamdulillah, after attending the workshop I am out of stress, balanced and I found the real Islamic way, which I understood easily and feeling contended. Now, I love myself, I care for myself, I feel purified. Now, I am proud to be a Muslim. Now, it is easy for me to walk on the path of Almighty Allah. You are doing a great job.
SULTAN: Alhamdulillah, I got the answers for some of the spiritual questions I was looking for. I learnt a lot. I can say my life was a jigsaw puzzle and you have guided me to fix the puzzle. Since I wanted to do ‘dawah’ and I realized now that debates and arguments is not the way, rather win the opponents through sharing.
MALIK: This workshop really helped me. Before this workshop, I was not able to find a path, I was not knowing the exact way of life. I was under stress because of the criticism of others. Now, I am free from all problems. I am now only thinking of the future and how to use my present. At last, I can say I am completely filled with love; I love God, people, parents and everyone.
DANISH: I never realized that, I never used or seldom used my knowledge of religion. Now in this workshop, I have actually understood how to use my religion to spread love, peace and harmony in the world and try to make a difference in the lives of people.
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