Educational Programming

Pop-Up Healing Circle for the Earthquake in Turkey, Syria, and the surrounding regions

February 2023

Dealing with secondary trauma is a major topic of discussion in our last pop-up healing circle, Healing in the Wake of the Devastating Earthquake. What does this mean and what effect does it have?

In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Turkey, Syria and the surrounding regions, Maristan held a pop-up healing circle where we addressed this tragic natural disaster, provided the tools and techniques to process, and gave religious guidance.

Substance Abuse Prevention in the Muslim Community: Learning Circle

October 2022

Almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment -- Muslims are NOT immune. This Substance Abuse Prevention month, Maristan invited addiction experts, Dr. Ahmed Hassan, Clinician Scientist & Addiction Psychiatrist at Canada's Center for Addiction & Mental Health, and Dr. Amer Rahemullah, Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University and founder of Madina House, for a learning circle.

Suicide Prevention in the Muslim Community: Learning Circle

September 2022

American Muslims have an increasingly high rate of suicide attempts (JAMA). This Suicide Response Awareness Month, Maristan had a Learning Circle around suicide prevention with Imam Magid, ADAMS center Imam, and Dr. Rania Awaad, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Stanford. In this recording you will learn about early signs, how to address the early signs, active measures when someone discloses suicide ideation or attempt, and how to protect our community as a whole.

Remembering our Bothers in Albuquerque: A Healing Circle

August 2022

”Whoever kills one person, is as if they have killed all of humanity.." (Quran 5:32)

This month we lost four beautiful souls fired by sectarian violence within our community. 10-13% of Muslims identify as Shia globally, and a minority within the 1% American Muslim population in America. Imam Khalid Latif, Shaykh Faiyez Jaffer, and Sr. Zainab Hossaini helped us heal, love, learn and take action.

Healing Circle: Domestic Violence, Divorce Stigmas & Mental Health Crises in the Muslim Community

July 2022

As news of multiple tragic incidents of domestic violence that led to the loss of innocent life continues to spread in our community, many are left with anger, pain, and a feeling of helplessness.

Dr. Rania Awaad, Ustaza Hosai Mojaddidi, Sr. Saha Jamshed and Sr. Noor Raheemullah from MWA, Maristan, NISA, & The Rahmah Foundation shared a healing space where they broke the silence and addressed the ongoing problems of domestic violence, divorce stigmas, and mental health crises in the Muslim community.

Learning Circle: Early Signs of Chronic Psychiatric Disorders

May 2022

There is an estimated 14.2 million adults in the U.S. who have chronic psychiatric disorders (5.6% of American adults), with the highest rate amongst young adults ages 18-25 (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022). Only about half of patients with severe chronic psychiatric disorders receive treatment (NAMI, 2022).

Unfortunately, mental illness, continues to be a stigma in our Muslim community, limiting access to proper diagnosis, treatment and family support. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, Maristan presents to you a highly requested Learning Circle, “Early Signs of Chronic Psychiatric Disorders.” with Dr. Rukhsana & Dr. Rania, clinical psychiatrists.

Healing Journeys: Navigating Loneliness

April 2022

36% of all Americans—including 61% of young adults feel seriously lonely. 43% of young adults reported increases in loneliness since the pandemic outbreak (Weissbourd, Lovison, and Torres, 2021). 

It is a religious and public health obligation to rekindle our social commitments. Shaykh Ubaydallah Evans, Shaykha Maryam Amir, Amal Kassir, Dr. Rania Awaad, and Shaykh Rami Nsour tackled this topic for our Ramadan Benefit event.

Learning Circle

February 2022

This Black History month Maristan wanted to hear about Black Muslim Experiences through the prism of Mental Health and Wellbeing with our esteemed guests: Tephiny Jones, MSW, ACSW, MBA, and Dr. Zakiyyah Hyatt, Psychologist, Advocate, and Consultant. Maristan’s Learning Circles aim to provide regular, community-focused, educational programs to support the holistic spiritual and mental health needs of Muslims. Through these communal gatherings, we connect with scholars, mental health professionals, and spiritual leaders who help illuminate our path to wellbeing.

Healing Circle

January 2022

In light of the difficult situation in the Bronx Muslim community, Maristan held a Healing Circle with Sr. Babalwa Kwanele, a Licensed Therapist, and Dr. Zakiyyah Hyatt, a Psychologist Advocate Consultant, to discuss the topic of Racism and Neglect, and allow for a safe space of healing for the family and friends of the victims. In our Healing Circles we invite experts to shed light on emergent crises and discuss ways of navigating these situations to promote wellbeing and healing. After the panel discussion, we close off the recording to allow for a safe space for attendees to share their thoughts, reflections, and ask the speakers questions.

Learning Circle

December 2021

With the holiday break around the corner, many families have the opportunity to spend more quality time together. With that, can sometimes come unsolicited comments and difficult personalities to navigate with those closest to us. 
How do we navigate these spaces to ensure our mental health is at bay and ensuring our ties remain with our loved ones?

Inaugural Event

July 2021

An evening of healing and reflection that took place on the eve of the blessed day of Arafah.