It's Time – Praiseworthy Strangeness
On the 3rd November, Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre (GLMCC) hosted a sisters’ conference that empowered a room to step up out of our comfort zones into a ‘stretch period’, to find comfort in a safe space of gratitude and to embrace our praiseworthy strangeness. The conference had sisters reflecting, laughing and passionately nodding to all the heart felt moments shared by two amazing speakers.
Sister Yasmin Ishaq lifted the atmosphere with her captivating talk on ‘The Strangers.’ The message; our love for Allah سبحانه و تعالى and His messenger outweighs our desire to please others and to belong to a group that, at times, we can feel the odd one out.
“We all fall into a momentarily relapse but aim not to remain in the slump, aim for the strangeness; this is belonging to Allah. The only validation we need is from Allah سبحانه و تعالى. Hold on to tawheed, the sunnah and patience” [Yasmin Ishaq]
Sister Naima followed with an inspiring and energetic talk on ‘Time’. I would not be afraid to say she moved every sister with her empathetic style and humour. From the heart, she told the congregation of her loss, her beloved husband.
“Our first response to loss is to want more. When my husband passed away, I never asked ‘why me? why him?’ Instead I went into a safe space of gratitude. Grateful that I had that time, that I experienced it in the first place. I had to ‘woman up’ ‘grow up’ ‘step up’. Tests are here to blossom and grow you, without them we would stagnate in our deen and our capabilities.” [Naima Roberts]
Sister Naima went on to share her ‘5 Shifts for Confidence, Clarity and Certainty’ to come out as the hero. Both speakers reiterated the need to recognise we are all special and unique for a purpose, Allah سبحانه و تعالى, with no mistakes, has created us for a specific purpose. Acknowledge your worth for the sake of Allah, your ability, your skills etc should be honoured as gift from Allah. We are not doing Allah سبحانه و تعالى justice by not acknowledging our self-worth and reaching our potential.
The sisters’ conference had people drinking from a fountain of positivity and empowerment. For some, the thirst was unknown until a sip became mouthfuls;
“Masha Allah such an inspirational interaction – not lecture as sister Naima said. I got so engrossed in feeling her words and her vibe. May Allah سبحانه و تعالى bless this sister abundantly, Ameen!” Suraya, age 35, wife and mother of 3.
“I like Naima, she was funny. I like that she told us to keep moving forward in life.” – Haya, age 11
“May Allah reward the speakers. The talks were very inspiring, informative and inspirational. We shouldn’t blame ourselves all the time. Very touching. Beautiful. Please come back sister Naima!” Aisha, 64,
“Simple for everyone to identify with and understand. Very honest talk. Thank you Green Lane Masjid.” Huwa, 40.
We eagerly await the next sisters’ conference at GLMCC, however we wait with patience, optimism, gratitude and consistently stretching ourselves to be the best that Allah سبحانه و تعالى has created us to be.
Alhamdulilah, may Allah سبحانه و تعالى reward all the organisers and make firm our hearts upon the deen of strangers. Ameen.
[Written by Haniya Aadam, GLMCC, 03 Nov 19]
