Cincinnati’s Dar-E-Zehra Islamic Center, July 8th, 2023
In an inspiring convergence of spirituality and personal growth, the Dar-E-Zehra Islamic Center in Cincinnati played host to a transformative women’s workshop on July 8th, 2023. The event, aptly titled “Embracing my Divine Feminine Agency,” was a beacon of empowerment, led by the insightful Nasim Walji Pirmohamed and skillfully coordinated by Sajjida Valli.
Unveiling the Path: Exploring Personal and Collective Objectives
As participants embarked on this journey of self-discovery, the workshop unfurled with sessions that dissected both personal and collective objectives. The question “Who am I?” echoed through the halls, setting the stage for introspection, and awakening. Attendees delved deep, connecting with their aspirations and desires in both individual and collective contexts.
Guiding Principles for Conscious Living
Central to the workshop’s ethos was the pursuit of conscious living. Attendees engaged in thought-provoking discussions on whether they were truly living consciously or simply traversing the path of life. The workshop provided practical tools to embrace conscious growth, fostering a deeper understanding of life’s journey.
The GROW Acrostic: Setting Goals with Depth
An integral aspect of the workshop was the exploration of the GROW acrostic, which stands for Goals, Reflect, Optimistic, and Way of Eternal Living (Hayyatun Tayyibah). This powerful framework for goal setting encouraged attendees to set meaningful and impactful objectives while maintaining an optimistic perspective. The infusion of spirituality into personal development was a unique approach that resonated deeply with the participants.
Unveiling the Divine Connection: You Are Intentional
An exploration into spirituality commenced with the profound inquiry, “Who are you to God?” Drawing from the Qur’an, participants were reminded that they are deliberate creations of a perfect deity, not the outcome of mere chance. The verse “We did not create the heavens and the earth and everything between them playfully” (Quran 21:16) underscored their significance in the grand design.
Stories of Empowerment: Reimagining Women’s Roles
The workshop delved into the Qur’an’s portrayal of women, sparking discussions on how these narratives validate women’s faith, wisdom, and knowledge. The profound stories illuminated their intellectual and spiritual capacities, encouraging participants to embrace their potential more deeply.
Fostering Self-Empowerment: Unraveling Internalized Oppression
A critical juncture of the workshop was the exploration of internalized oppression and its antidote: self-confidence. Participants examined the roots of self-doubt and the liberating potential of self-assurance, ultimately empowering themselves to shatter the chains of oppressive thoughts.
Harbingers of Divine Beauty: Women as Manifestations
The workshop’s narrative extended to Islam’s pioneering role in safeguarding women’s rights. The Qur’an’s guidance for men and women alike illuminated their roles, responsibilities, and equal status. A discussion on the intrinsic beauty of women as a manifestation of God’s grace encapsulated the essence of the workshop’s message.
A Symbolic Closure: Each Woman’s Unique Journey
The workshop culminated with a poignant activity. Each participant selected a rose, representing their individuality, and returned it to a central source, symbolizing unity in diversity. This exercise poignantly echoed the truth that every woman, like a rose, unfurls her uniqueness and beauty in her own time.
The “Embracing my Divine Feminine Agency” workshop, held at Cincinnati’s Dar-E-Zehra Islamic Center on July 8th, 2023, was a tapestry woven with insights from the Qur’an, spirituality, and personal growth. Attendees departed enriched, empowered, and with a profound connection to their divine agency. In a world that often obscures this truth, the workshop was a radiant beacon of guidance, reminding women of their inherent strength and potential. As the workshop concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, each embracing the path ahead, ready to bloom in their unique splendor, much like the roses they held in their hands.
Roses
How did the rose ever open its heart and give to this world all of its beauty? It felt the encouragement of the Light against it’s being otherwise we all remain too frightened. – Hafez
“Allah wrote your story with the pen of mercy, poured His love into every cell that dances and twirls inside of you, and blew His spirit into your mold of clay, making you a bridge between heaven and earth.” (Qur’an 15:29) – A. Helwa (Secrets of Divine Love).
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