KARAMAH recognizes that even leaders with the best of intentions will likely encounter opposition to their work at some point. Therefore, we educate participants on the Islamic principles of gradual change and the most recent academic works in conflict resolution and peace studies. Sessions incorporate role-playing exercises, during which participants analyze value systems and moral frameworks that influence personal and professional decisions. This training allows participants to understand the causes of conflict, and how to approach situations that may cause tension or conflict. LLSP courses combine lectures and interactive sessions, including debate simulations, leadership and teamwork exercises, and in-class discussions. This approach provides participants with a theoretical and hands-on approach to scholarly concepts.

Dr. Amr Abdalla presents an introduction to Conflict Resolution theory and practices through his multiple-day class. He covers topics including defining conflict, causes of conflicts, and tactics for addressing conflicts and avoiding unnecessary conflicts. Dr. Abdalla’s courses are intended to provide participants with practical skills for understanding and addressing conflict.

KARAMAH has developed an intensive leadership component to its educational programs providing a mixture of academic and application-based modules that develop the knowledge and skills leaders require. Additionally, KARAMAH utilizes the latest leadership assessment tools available to measure the leadership styles of participants. These assessment tools allow KARAMAH to provide personalized courses that develop participants’ unique strengths and address their weaknesses. Leadership training increases participants’ confidence and ability to lead themselves and their peers and, eventually, entire communities.

KARAMAH’s highly-educated instructors provide participants with lessons tailored to their level of expertise – everything from an introduction to Islamic legal sources to an advanced analysis of Islamic jurisprudence and international law. Islamic law courses aim to provide participants with the technical competency necessary to understand Islamic law and analyze legal opinions and statements based on the authoritative of classical Islamic jurisprudential sources. This allows participants to better understand and advocate for gender-equitable rights within the context of their religion and respective communities.

Raheemah Abdulaleem, Chair of KARAMAH’s board of directors, discusses traits common to women in the workplace and highlights important elements of success in any environment, discussing with participants challenges that they have faced in making their voices heard. Participants practice exchanging “elevator pitches” with one another, describing their jobs, passions, and workplace responsibilities in less than 15 seconds.

Imam Mohamed Magid speaks about the values of Islam and how they can inspire better leaders. He encourages participants to empower themselves by having a personal relationship with the Qur’an

Former Executive Director leads the participants in a bonding exercise where they share their journeys down the so-called “rivers” of their lives that brought them to LLSP. Participants acknowledge similar events, mentors, and obstacles in their lives that have somehow contributed to their journeys.

Professor Fadel discusses the modern philosopher John Rawls and his concept of “Public Reason,” as it pertains to Islam. Mr. Fadel encourages participants to contemplate what it means to have an individual reason vs. a public reason, which is a thought representative of an “aggregate body of citizens.”

Jamiah Adams discusses various social media platforms, why social media is important in advocacy and justice work, and how participants can transform themselves into stronger leaders through their social media presence.

Farhan Latif, president of the El Hibri Foundation speaks about ways to hone professional goals and personal talents to maximize outcomes. A Theory of Change (TOC) can help individuals or organizations refocus to make their end goal a reality.

Lynn Kunkle, Director of Grants and Peace Education at the El-Hibri Foundation talks about methods of effective fundraising and grant-writing. Recognizing how overwhelming grant-writing and fundraising can seem, Ms. Kunkle seeks to “de-mystify the grant-making process” so participants could be more effective fundraisers for their organizations and causes in the future.

Dean Okianer Dark talks about the qualities that constitute effective leadership, leaders who serve as examples to participants, and how leadership qualities may differ between men and women.

Ieasha Prime works with participants to break down the everyday act of speaking into its elementary components, walking through the basics to rebuild participants’ speaking skills.

Dr. Azizah al-Hibri discusses taa’a (obedience) and draws a parallel between a wife to a husband in the family and citizens to the state. She encourages her students to stand up for justice with God as their wali, like the Qur’anic story of Zainab speaking against the tyrannous Yazeed, who was responsible for her family’s murder.

Abed Awad, Esq. discusses how Islamic family law can, and cannot, be used in American courts. Focusing on cases of divorce, Mr. Awad introduces participants to key cases that have established how the Islamic marriage contract can be used in American courts. Mr. Awad is especially knowledgeable about enforcement of mahr in American courts, having argued a landmark case in New Jersey which concluded in the first enforcement of the mahr provision in a New Jersey court.

Professor Mohammed Fadel outlines the foundational information regarding Islamic Law: sources of Islamic Law, the schools of thought, acceptability norms for Sunnahs and the Sunni and Shi’a methods of reasoning. He emphasizes the point that Islamic Law is a system of plurality – this is reinforced through the Islamic principle that every effort if made in the right mind and with the best effort, whether correct or not, is rewarded.

Asifa Quraishi discusses the similarities between U.S. constitutional law and Islamic law. She provides an overview of the mechanics of Islamic Jurisprudence and explains that there are various methodologies for interpreting both types of law. Each system implements the separation of church and state and the separation of powers differently.

Linda Garrett and Dr. Patricia Scott instruct participants on delivering persuasive speeches and messages in public, focusing on the content and style of speaking to audiences. After this initial instruction, participants present short speeches they composed for the class. After everyone has presented, Ms. Garrett and Dr. Scott provide participants with constructive feedback, giving tips for improving speaking skills and encouraging the positive speaking habits shown by participants.

Dr. David Campbell asks participants to pick four postcards from his extensive collection: two of the groups they would like to spend a week with, and two of the groups they would not. He uses this exercise to demonstrate the power – and inaccuracy – of preconceived notions based purely on outward appearance.

Dean Leary Davis and Dr. David Campbell use the “Hollow Square” activity, a team-building exercise where ideally, groups of planners and implementers work together and are part of a joint process from the beginning. However, often groups fall victim to self-imposed limitations and try to complete the activity separately, with less success. The exercise emphasizes the importance of including implementers in the planning process, and how to navigate away from imposing limitations or restrictions upon themselves or others that do not actually exist.