2024 MILA Retreat Program
Speaker for general program:
Dr. Hassan Lachheb is the founder and president of Tayseer Seminary. He holds a Ph.D in Religious Studies from the University of Indiana, Bloomington, with a focus on theory of religion and Islamic studies. His research is focused on the intellectual history and religiosity of the Muslims in the Maghreb and Andalus.
Dr. Lachheb completed his M.A. in Islamic Theology, Islamic Legal Theory, and Maliki Jurisprudence at Dar al-Hadith al-Hassaniyyah for Higher Islamic Studies in Rabat, Morocco with honors in 2000. In addition, he completed his B.A. with distinction in Arabic Language and Literature at Mohamed V University in Rabat.
He also attended the Madrasa of Shaykh Abdullah al-Talidi in Tangier, Morocco where he extensively studied several disciplines including Principles of Jurisprudence (Usul al-Fiqh), Arabic Grammar, Philology, and Literature. He has also received many ijazaat (licenses to teach) from prominent scholars in Hadith, Comparative Jurisprudence (fiqh), and the Sciences of Qur'an. He has studied under several of the foremost Islamic scholars in Morocco.
Dr. Lachheb is a resident scholar of the Muslim Community of Knoxville.
Topic:
How to create a Prophetic Community.
Speaker for youth program:
Anwar Arafat is an Imam and the Director of iERA US, part of an international outreach and Dawah group. As an Imam based out of Memphis, TN, he has served the community since 2011. Born in Utah, he grew up in Gaza, Palestine, only to return back to Utah where he studied film at the University of Utah and co-founded the Muslim Community Center of Utah before moving to Memphis. He has traveled both locally and abroad for studies, most recently completing a Masters Degree in Islamic Leadership from the Islamic Seminary of America (TISA).
Imam Anwar will be exploring how to form strong identities, finding direction in the world, dealing with doubt, and understanding our role in the greater scheme of things.
Topics:
WHY GO?
You don’t want to miss out on this event! A spiritual mini-vacation at a an unbeatable cost: 3 nights stay in the blessed Dar Al-Islam Center, 3 delicious meals a day, hiking, recreation and fun, guest speakers to revive your faith, and a chance to escape from the noise and chaos of daily life.
LOCATION
Dar Al-Islam is a spiritual haven that looks like a picture from a postcard in Northern Africa! Nestled just between the awe inspiring hills of Plaza Blanca and the valley of the Rio Chama, this nonprofit mosque and retreat center was built in the 1980’s, with the mission of hosting conferences and retreats for Muslims and non-Muslims in order to enrich the lives of Americans with the beautiful message of Islam. Dar Al Islam is located on a vast, pristine desert of Abiquiu, New Mexico—1357 acres of land—where tourists and groups visit every year.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is available in terms of dorms or yurts with separate and convenient facilities for men and women. The cost is reasonable but, as a non profit event, the retreat will be priced below cost thanks to generous donors and sponsors.
TRANSPORTATION
Ever seen the stunning landscape of the southwest? Well, the road trip down to Abiquiu is the perfect chance to do just that! Retreat guests are required to provide their own transportation (as families generally prefer traveling together anyway), but if you would like to carpool with someone else, contact us and we will try to arrange a ride for you!
Who should go?
Absolutely anyone! The program is designed for people of all ages and backgrounds. There will be separate programs for kids, youth and adults, but also activities for families to do together. Singles and couples will also find tons of stuff to enjoy as well! Those from all faiths, ethnicities, perspectives and backgrounds are invited — there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Accommodation and Cost
Rooms:
Women will enjoy their stay in private dormitories, or sister only yurts, where every sister gets a nice, comfy bed and a storage space for her clothes & belongings with convenient access to restrooms. Men will stay separately in the yurt dormitories, where they also get comfy beds and storage bins. Clean public restrooms and showers are available throughout the retreat center. There are no laundry facilities on site.
Food:
Delicious, appetizing meals will be served to retreat guests as part of the registration fee. The food is always one of the best parts of the retreat that our guests always rave about. There are no stores within the immediate vicinity of Dar Al-Islam. You may bring water bottles and wrapped, non-perishable snacks, but you must be sure to dispose of your waste properly and keep our dormitories free of all food.
Registration and Fees:
VERY IMPORTANT:
Kindly ensure that you organize your day such that you arrive EARLY at the Dar Al Islam Campus. Registration will be on Friday between 4.30pm and 7:30pm ONLY. This will keep you and your family safe by ensuring that you are not traveling on risky side roads with no cell signal after dark. It will also ensure that you arrive in time for registration, finding and checking in to your accommodation/rooms, unpacking, dinner, and important introductions and updates.
Dinner will be served between 7:30pm and 8:45pm only. We are unable to serve dinner after 8:45pm.
Also from the important aspect of Islamic Athab/manners, you will be helping the organizers keep to the schedule and not have to miss their own dinner or work later than is reasonable to register and check you in. Please be thoughtful and mindful of your fellow Muslim brothers and sisters.
$320 for adults 19 years and above ($230 if you stay in a nearby hotel instead of staying at Dar Al Islam).
$300 for youth aged 4 to 18 years old. ($210 if you stay in a nearby hotel instead of staying at Dar Al Islam).
Babysitting for 3 and under will be provided for a separate fee of $150 per child for the full retreat while lectures are being conducted.
Partial SCHOLARSHIPS And FINANCIAL AID are available
MILA is committed to never turn anyone away due to financial constraints.
We are offering automatic (free) $100 Scholarships to the first 20 youth aged 13-18.
Please ONLY use FINANCIAL AID if you are REALLY IN NEED. If you use them while you are blessed with the ability to pay for the full ticket price you may be taking away the opportunity for someone who really needs assistance to attend the MILA Retreat.
Kindly request a partial $100 Adult/Kids financial aid by clicking the link below or by using our Contact Form.
We are limited to 30 Adult and 20 Youth scholarships. First come, first served
Click Here To Request A Scholarship
You will not be able to beat the price for 3 nights!
Thanks to generous donors and community sponsors, you can enjoy this fabulous retreat for BELOW actual cost which includes room, food, recreation, and an educational program for the whole family.
Refunds and Discounts:
Once you have registered we are unable to provide refunds. No further discounts can be given if a guest plans to stay for less than 3 days/3 nights. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Donations:
If Allah has blessed you with the money and desire to help out, we welcome any scholarships and donations you can offer to help offset the costs for attendees and expenses. See the registration form for scholarships and donations. Jazakum Allahu Khairan and may Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly!
What to Bring:
Click here > "What to bring".
Speakers, Program, and Prices are subject to change.
What kinds of activities will there be?
Archery, hiking, dynamic discussions, workshops, games, recreation, sports, campfires, and entertainment at night! There will also be plenty of free time for relaxation, worship and the remembrance of Allah SWT.
Please read carefully all the information provided on this site—it just may be your question has already been addressed. If not, we’d be more than happy to answer any question or concern you have, to the best of our ability!
Questions? Use Contact Form to contact us.