Serenity Sisters’ Retreat Feb 2025: A Soulful Escape
“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.” (Qur’an 24:35)
From Friday, 21st February, to Sunday, 23rd February, 57 beautiful souls gathered at the Serenity Sisters’ Retreat for a weekend of rest, reflection, and connection. In a world full of distractions, deadlines, and constant noise, this retreat was a much-needed reminder that it’s okay to pause, reconnect with our true selves, and prepare for the blessed month of Ramadhan.
A Fresh Beginning: Unwinding and Connecting
The Friday evening began with an icebreaker session, it was more like a fun filled activity allowing everyone to introduce themselves and feel at ease, followed by a heart moving meditation session to help us release any tension we’d been carrying. It was a safe space where we could be vulnerable and real with ourselves and each other.
Day 1 on Saturday, the retreat kicked off with a beautiful recitation from Surah Tahrim by Dr. Mandana, whose heartfelt voice brought an immediate sense of peace and serenity to the room. We started the retreat seeking blessings from Allah, and it truly set the tone for the whole weekend. After settling in, our MC for the weekend, Sis Sabira Kanji, trustee of Lantern of Light, warmly welcomed everyone. We also had Sis Sunya Alidina, our amazing event manager, who worked hard behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly.
The Theme: Finding the Light Within
This year’s theme was all about “Finding the Light Within” as we prepare ourselves for the spiritual journey of Ramadhan. Throughout the weekend, we explored ways to connect deeply with our spirituality and turn inward to strengthen our relationship with Allah. The workshops were inspiring and transformative:
Shaykh Shomali led us through a fresh look at Munajat Sha’baniyya, guiding us on how to plug into the divine light of Imam Mahdi (ajfs) as our leader, especially in these challenging times.
Sis Nikhat Panjwani helped us explore how to cultivate inner peace, teaching us to quiet the noise in our hearts and minds.
Sis Nasim Walji Pirmohamed gave a beautiful Qur’anic reflection from Surah Takwir, diving deep into the powerful question: “Where are you going?”
Sis Rawnak Jassm guided us through Yoga and Silent Meditation in Nature, bringing us back to stillness and presence in the beauty of the outdoors.
We also had a heartfelt Art Therapy session led by Fatimah Ink, where we were encouraged to let our emotions flow and express what words couldn’t.
These workshops weren’t just about learning—they were about experiencing. Sisters found themselves opening up, embracing healing, and rediscovering their inner light.
Sisterhood and Healing: A Space to Be Seen and Heard
One of the most magical parts of the retreat was the deep sense of sisterhood we shared. On Sunday we had a beautiful holistic healing session led by Sayyeda Meghjee who helped us feel connected through human touch by asking sisters to give a shoulder massage to release all the negative emotions and tension. The weekend was serene, no judgment, just empathy, understanding, and love. It was a space where we could speak our truths, share our struggles, and pray together for healing. The opportunity to bond with like-minded women, many of whom we hadn’t met before, was truly special. And Rumi’s words echo perfectly what we experienced together:
“Come, come, whoever you are,
Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving—
It doesn’t matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times,
Come, yet again, come, come.”
We all arrived in different places spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, but we left feeling connected—not just to each other but to a greater, divine purpose.
A Beautiful Ending
The retreat ended with an emotional Salatul Jama‘ah, led by Shaykh Shomali and the sisters, as we united in prayer. We felt the power of collective dua, a bond that transcended time and space. Though it was hard to say goodbye, we knew we were leaving with hearts full of gratitude and peace.
A Sanctuary to Recharge
In a world where we’re constantly racing from one task to another, these retreats are so important. They remind us of the importance of pausing, reflecting, and recharging—not just physically but spiritually. Sisters who joined came to unwind, bond, and share the challenges we face as women in today’s world. There’s something deeply liberating about being in a safe space, where we can shed the masks we wear and find solace in knowing we are not alone in our struggles.
The retreat’s beautiful venue, Milton Hill House, and the divine ambience of the surroundings made the experience even more special. From delicious meals to quiet moments of reflection in nature, everything was filled with love, peace, and tranquillity.
We were so blessed to have such a transformative experience together. May this be the first of many more, and may we continue to grow in our faith and spirituality as we step into the blessed month of Ramadhan.
With love & light,
Serenity Sisters in Faith 💕