Tarbiya & Activism Camp (TACamp) 2019

 

 

Welcome to the Tarbiya and Activism Camp 2019.

Tarbiya & Activism Camp is modeled after Tarbiya & Ilm Camp. It aims to serve serious Muslim youth who aspire to grow and develop themselves and their communities. It follows the prophetic model of tazkiyah and purification that Allah (SW) laid out for us in the ayah, “Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” Quran (6:162).

The camp has four overarching goals:

  1. Developing the correct understanding of Islam based on sound knowledge.
  2. Cultivating and maintaining an intense spiritual relationship with Allah and the tazkia of the heart.
  3. Planting within a strong sense of duty towards the work that must be done for Islam.
  4. Developing true and deep bonds of brotherhood/sisterhood amongst the participants.
Programs

TACamp?s program revolves around two main avenues of developing Muslim youth, empowering them with the necessary skills needed to fulfill their roles as bearers of the message of Islam.

?Tarbiya? is an Arabic word that linguistically means increase, growth, and refinement. As was the Prophetic tradition, Tarbiya means the development and the training of people holistically. [Adopted from MAS Tarbiya Department]

“Activism” is a fundamental value in Islam. We aim to grow and develop well rounded Muslim Activists. Self-motivated individuals who put their beliefs and thoughts into actions; proactively seek ways to improve themselves and impact others around them. This is in accordace with the command in the ayah,”Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

The program consists of academic tracks covering topics such as Fiqh, Islamic history, Tazkiya, Dawah, and Aqidah. It also incorporates directed spiritual, physical, and team-based exercises and sessions that round out the balanced nature of development that is tarbiyah. The program is structured upon the framework of groups. Each participant joins a group with a mentor that lives, competes, and learns together for the whole week. Our guest scholars and activists will join us throughout the camp?living, sleeping, and discussing with us.

Sessions

Sessions at TACamp are centered around a particular theme catered to each camp audience. Sessions are presented in a wide variety of formats including lectures, workshops, training sessions, and even reflection time. Each session is carefully planned and executed to fit into the comprehensive nature of the camp. One session may target a specific area of development such as spiritual upliftment, while another may address important akhlaq (manners) such as ithar. A particular workshop could potentially be a means for character development, while the following session could address the importance and urgency of Dawah involvement. All in all, TI camp carefully balances the many aspects of taking an individual from one stage to another.

Activities

Activities are just as powerful as lectures and workshops when it comes to fulfilling the TACamp goals and objectives; therefore, each camp activity serves a specific purpose and conveys a certain message. Activities are held separately for brothers and sisters and revolve around building stronger bonds. They are great tool for conveying the message of unity and brotherhood, building trust among team members, and creating a sense of responsibility and teamwork! In a safe, open, and fun environment, attendees are able to foster healthy competition and build leadership skills.

An important aspect of becoming a well-rounded Muslim is having a healthy dosage of physical activity. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, ?A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone? (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2664). Although not all daily activities are strictly physical, a portion of them incorporate challenging and pushing your body to become more fit and develop healthy habits. Activities can include any of the follow:

  • Sports
  • Relay races
  • Bonfires
  • Boating/canoeing
  • Hiking
  • Martial arts
  • Aerobics
  • Fitness training
  • Many assortments of team-building activities.
Schedule

Perhaps the most noteworthy characteristic of TACamp is the very precise and concentrated schedule. Attendees are expected to follow the entire schedule collectively with their cabin group, moving together as one body. There is a big emphasis on timeliness and productivity. The day typically starts before fajr, for tahajjud prayer and ends in the evening after having accomplished numerous things. The purpose behind this rigorous schedule is to use every minute wisely! As Imam Hasan Al-Basri said ?Son of Adam! You are nothing but a number of days, whenever each day passes then part of you has gone?. We hope to implement a sense of urgency and hustle that will carry on after attendees return to their daily lives, a burning passion to have the most productive and successful life. TACamp is a spiritual retreat that challenges first-timers and veterans mentally, physically, and spiritually towards continual improvement.

The TTACamp schedule will typically include all of the following segments throughout the day:

  • Tahajjud prayer
  • Morning and evening athkar (supplications)
  • 5 Daily Prayers
  • Quran Circles
  • 2-3 main sessions
  • 2-3 activities
  • 3 meals
  • 3 Khatiras (short talk)
  • Personal Time
  • Ta?aruf (getting to know one another)

The purpose of this camp is to transform you. Be prepared to emerge from the week with a deeper understanding of the mission of Prophet Muhammad, a new love for worship, and a renewed commitment to the cause of Islam.