Monday July 27th, 2015 marked the beginning of KARAMAH’s 13th annual Law and Leadership Summer Program (LLSP). Participants attended two lectures by Imam Mohamed Magid:“Sources of Islamic Law” and “Spirituality and Leadership”, an inspiring keynote address by Lynn Rosenthal, and the “River of Life” exercise with KARAMAH’s executive director, Aisha Rahman. Imam Magid gave the LLSP Class of 2015 their very first course of this year’s program, focusing on “Sources of Islamic Law.” Imam Magid offered his extensive knowledge of the science of the Qur’an, the history of the Qur’an’s revelation, the interpretation of the Qur’an, and role of women in the Prophet’s life and in the Qur’an. He began the course by breaking down the sources of Islamic Law. He explained concepts of wahy and how Muslims derive their guidance, in life and in law, from the Qur’an. After explaining more of the history of the Qur’an’s revelation, Imam Magid described the way in which the Qur’an should be interpreted, encouraging participants, “empower yourselves by having a personal relationship with the Qur’an…read it in Arabic, read it in English, listen to it, recite it…” He then discussed the Sunnah and described its relationship with the Qur’an before discussing Hadith, and the roles of both the Sunnah and Hadith in Islamic thought and Islamic Law. Imam Magid then began his second course of the day: “Spirituality and Leadership,” speaking with participants about the values of Islam and how they can inspire better leaders. At the end of his second course, one student noted: “I felt like throughout the entire session I was going through a spiritual journey,” while another described themselves as “getting closer to God” throughout the lecture. Later in the afternoon, Ms. Lynn Rosenthal gave the program’s keynote address to LLSP participants. Ms. Rosenthal described her own path to her current career and her leadership positions. As Ms. Rosenthal shared her story, she remarked upon the events in her story which led her to where she is today. She encouraged participants: “find something that moves you so deeply that you can’t not do it.” She then discussed challenges that participants had faced in holding leadership positions, opening a conversation of what it means to be a leader, as a woman. Participants then shared methods and examples of effective leadership in their own lives. One student said, “we’re leaders, we’re trying to make change in the world, and we shouldn’t let people hold us back from that,” echoing Ms. Rosenthal’s call for participants to support their sisters as leaders in all aspects of life. The participants ended their first day with the “River of Life” exercise, led by Ms. Aisha Rahman. During this exercise, participants shared their journeys down the so-called “rivers” of their lives that brought them to LLSP. Though each story and journey is different, the participants acknowledged similar events, mentors, and obstacles in their lives that have somehow contributed to their journeys. Although today was only the first day, the participants have established a noticeably close, supportive environment at LLSP that was only strengthened through this exercise. It was a great first day at LLSP, and KARAMAH looks forward to an exciting three weeks to come with this inspiring Class of 2015!
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