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Experiences of Madinah al-Ilm student from East Africa

Updated 2 February 2010

Sabreena Hasham was a student who attended the annual World Federation Madinah al-Ilm Summer Course in 2009. Here she reflects on her experiences:

This course was a very very interesting course. I personally learned a lot from this experience. I had the opportunity of meeting different people from other countries which brought us all closer together thanks to this course.

Alhamdulilah, the way we interacted gave us a strong bond of sisterhood, and through this we got to know what people in different places experience especially in the West.

This camp has made me a stronger person and made me realise that this world is just a temporary world, and it is the Last Day we are all waiting for and we should be aiming to prepare for.

The sites we visited were amazing and the best part of the course was visiting the harams and Masjide Jamkaran. The feeling of being in Jamkaran amongst so many Shias who had travelled far and wide to come and meet our Imam, was inspiring. The recitation of Dua-e-Tawassul placed a special feeling of tranquillity in my heart.

I got to know about Bibi Masooma (sa) upon whom we traditionally don’t place much importance, but there is such a lot to learn from her life. The brief talk given to us by Shaykh Nadir when we went for the tour of the haram was very thought provoking. The feeling when going to do the ziyarat of Bibi Masooma and Imam Reza was amazing and exciting; being at that place gave me so much peace.

In Tehran, paying our respects at the shrine of Ayatullah Khomeini made me feel very proud for what he did for Iran.

But more than anything, the great thing that I learned is how to do JIHAD e AKBER - improving my own self - because in our own country it’s very difficult to lead such a pious life. Inshallah I will be successful in doing that, ameen.

Alhamdulillah the trip overall was very impressive and inspiring. I had a great experience and I also wish to be part of this course once again.

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