Updated 12 January 2010
Mashal Kara was a participant of the Madinah summer course in 2008 and went back as a mentor in 2009. Here he reflects on his experience after attending the short courses, and how it impacted his life:
“In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful In July 2009, I embarked on a new journey as mentor for the 2009 Madinah and Baab al-Ilm summer camps in Iran. I had participated in the camp the year before as a student and had significantly benefited from it. This time, however, I was not going for myself, I was going with a great responsibility towards Allah swt, Imam Ridha (as) and his sister Bibi Ma'suma (as) as I served their visitors. The journey was a very difficult one as I battled with my own nafs in an attempt to remain humble and sincere in my actions.
My previous experience as a participant of the 2008 Madinah summer camp was life changing. I remember the day I left my home getting ready for the journey of a lifetime. I felt the divine inspiration influencing me to sign up for a trip to a foreign land with a group of strangers. My curiosity was compelling me to go in search of the truth. It had been a few years that I had undertaken a soul-searching journey and this trip was the ideal capstone for such a journey. The course made space for me to critically analyze myself and ask as many questions as I wanted, without feeling embarrassed in not knowing so called "simple" things.
It was on this trip that for the first time I saw Islam being practiced with true meaning. The camp was a moment of awakening for me and allowed me to better understand my purpose in life. I left with a new meaning, the energy to make a difference and with newly found brothers whom I will cherish for the rest of my life.
The experience was so great that I was compelled to return and be a part of the development of other students. I wanted to help others discover themselves and get a step closer to Allah just as I did the year before.
The summer of 2009, I returned to Iran but this time I had a big responsibility on my hands, I went back as a mentor. I knew I wanted to take on this role but wasn't sure if I was entirely ready for it. As a mentor, you have to lead discussions, create a positive atmosphere and ensure of the student's physical well being. I believed I was able to handle the additional work but was skeptical as to my ability and knowledge to create the right atmosphere for students to grow and move forward along their path.
When I arrived in Qum, I went to Sayyeda Masooma's Haram and prayed for her intercession. I prayed to be able to live up to the responsibility I had signed up for and to be a part of hosting her visitors in the best of ways.
Little did I know then that I was not alone and that the outcome was not in my control.
After 3 weeks of unexpected blessings and miracles, as we are all departing, I realized what had transpired. Students felt revived and were able to take a few steps towards Allah thinking that it was the actions of their teachers, mentors or helpers that had allowed them to live such an unforgettable experience. It is then that I realized that I did nothing but observe the beautiful wisdom of Allah. He created the atmosphere and made all the pieces come together yet again.”
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