Updated 11 July 2012
The World Federation’s Qum Office is successfully facilitating a short course for sisters in collaboration with Jamiatuz Zahra in Qum. The first batch consists of five sisters from different part of the world:
Sayyida Suniya Batool - Canada
Sayyida Farwa Batool- Canada
Sister Masuma Kassam - UK
Sister Sumaira Ahmed - Canada
Sister Dua Zahra Noorani – Pakistan
Sister Sumaira Ahmed of Canada, tell us of her experiences so far:
‘Starting from about two weeks before I was due to leave Canada, my excitement regarding this long-awaited trip started turning into nerve-wrecking stress. I was really looking forward to the trip and there were so many things I wanted to accomplish and so many beautiful goals I had, but I was seriously worried that I wouldn’t be able to meet any of them because I wouldn’t be able to stand the heat or I wouldn’t make any friends or I would be able to get my (about a gazillion) questions answered or I wouldn’t be able to survive without my family – and silly worries like that. Over these two weeks, my stress built up to such a level that I would be moved to tears whenever someone mentioned me leaving. “I don’t feel ready to go!” I would repeat over and over in a state of increasing desperation.
‘And for the first couple of weeks it seemed that perhaps I really wasn’t ready. I was very frustrated with myself because I truly felt that I wasn’t getting anywhere, that I was missing something very important., and nothing scared me more than the thought of returning to Calgary the same Sumaira as I was when I left. And so I prayed, surrounded by the beautiful atmosphere of knowledge and spirituality in Jamiatuz Zahra (sa), at the haram of Bibi Ma’suma (sa) and at Masjid-e-Jamkaran. I beseeched Allah (swt) to help me fulfill the purpose with which He has sent me. And nothing much changed externally, but internally I practically had a revolution.
‘I began to realise first of all that I did not come here entirely on my own will; rather I was blessed with an invitation from Bibi Ma’suma (sa) and sent by Allah (swt), so it is not my purpose in coming but their purpose in calling me that is important; and they, not I, will take care of that (inshallah). Secondly I began to see hidden blessings in everything I was experiencing here, from the long late-night conversation with the Jamia girls to the surprising ease with which I am withstanding the discomforts of being away from home. (Although Jamia itself honestly feel like home already.) And perhaps most importantly, I began noticing the subtle yet highly important changes taking place inside myself – changes leading me towards stronger faith, better akhlaq, and greater recognition. I cannot exactly pinpoint what exactly has brought about these changes – it is the experience of living in this holy city in its entirety.
‘There is something so deeply beautiful about life here that captures your heart and purifies it without you even realising that it is happening. I am no longer concerned about returning the same person I was when I left; I am already different.’
For more information on how The World Federation can help you to study in Qum email qum@world-federation.org