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  • Past Event 2013

Islam Vs Me: ‘THE BIG FIGHT LIVE!’

  • Blessed Summit 2013

Islam Vs Me

‘THE BIG FIGHT LIVE!’ The biggest fight of your life is waging within you every day, where your opponent is an unseen and unchecked force who does not play by the rules – who does not fight fair – who will hit you below the belt. You hardly even recognise this enemy who knows your every move – is willing and equipped to outmanoeuvre you because you have been standing still too long.

When life jabs at you with its different demands, pulling you in many directions, stretching you too thin, this enemy is there. Tirelessly raining down blows on you, this enemy matches you step for step, goes toe to toe with you, constantly attacking and sabotaging you until you are never really choosing your move but only ever reacting, having your hand forced over and over again between right and wrong.

Who is this formidable-seeming foe?

It is YOUR SELF!

The part of you that has been fuelled by the negativity you experience and witness throughout life has become your biggest enemy. Every temptation, every wrong action, every bad feeling strengthens it – so that it can fight against you.

When you tell a lie… When you make a selfish choice… When you hurt others… Do you ask yourself : ‘Why do I do what I do?’

When you ignore the part of you that says ‘this is wrong’…. When you go along with somebody else’s plan for your life…. When you do what others are doing, just to fit in… Do you ask yourself: ‘Who decided who I am going to be? Do I really choose my own path or do I only think I do?‘

Who has ever been in your corner, trying to offer you the platform to stop and ask yourself these questions? Who is willing to treat you with the loving care of a coach, when you are blinded by the blows of the enemy? Who is being your eyes in the dark, analysing the moves of the other side to offer you guidance on how to overcome?

Is there anyone who can, or even will offer you the support, compassion and practical guidance necessary to train for this fight?

HOW TO WIN THE FIGHT!

For many years now, diligent thought and effort has been put into forging a community based on universal principles of goodness; a community that seeks to serve society by empowering each person to develop the best in themselves and others. This community is Hijaz Community. Through the annual event of the Blessed Summit, Hijaz Community now brings to you the ground-breaking event of Islam vs Me – a one day session introducing you to the dynamic training regime designed to overcome and utterly defeat that insidious enemy inside.

Over the one day session you will be offered the chance to trial for yourself/consider the philosophies of personal self-development and the carefully designed processes and projects to achieve them that Hijaz Community has been working towards. The bedrock of Hijazi philosophy is the need for each person to discover and empower their real self and re-define their relationship with their fellow man; only in this way can each one of us truly connect to our purpose and position within creation.

The following is a video detailing the experiences of one of our members, Dr Abdul Jalil, during his time in Hijaz Community:

It is time for each one of us to lace up our gloves and take the fight to our worst enemy – our self. Hijaz Community believes in fighting for your soul, do you?

WHAT IS HIJAZ COMMUNITY?

Hijaz Community is an institution that has been founded on the universal Islamic principles of the self-development of each human being, towards empowering the true advancement of society and community. The philosophies that underpin the Hijaz Vision have been carefully deliberated and crafted over a number of years, to adeptly meet the needs of Muslims today.

Hijaz Community welcomes everyone from society irrespective of religion, nationality, gender, age, social class, educational background or profession. We believe in creating a community that is ready to help develop, nurture and guide everyone within it. The aim of Hijaz Community is to ensure that every member makes a definitive improvement in their life and is ready to share that value with others around them.

At Hijaz we strongly believe that each and every individual has their own unique role to play in making our society and our world a better place. This is why we strive to serve each individual through a process of personal enrichment and mentoring in order to enable their self-development – because we believe that enriched individuals constitute an enriched society.

Pioneering a dynamic programme of societal change, Hijaz Community has created a shared vision of an enriched community working to bring harmony and civic responsibility back to the heart of society. The outcome which Hijaz Community envisages is one where the local community tends to its own needs, in balance with the needs of everyone and everything around it.

Event 2013

Topics & Speakers

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for.
TIME:

Friday 7.30-10.00pm

SESSION 1:

The AI Reality Check: An Open Conversation

Kickstarting the weekend, this session is an unfiltered, exploratory dialogue designed to set the tone for the days ahead. Rather than a standard lecture, our hosts will go back-and-forth to challenge assumptions, unpack the hype, and ask the critical questions: Why are we talking about algorithms and AI right now? And more importantly, how does this rapidly evolving digital landscape directly impact the lives, values, and education of the Hijaz Community?
TIME:

Saturday 1.30-4.30pm

SESSION 2:

The Conscious Scroll: Setting Boundaries in a Social Media World

A dual-track practical workshop designed to help families redefine their relationship with social media.

  • For Adults: An interactive session focused on breaking digital habit loops, reclaiming lost time, and establishing healthy household boundaries.
  • For Youth (Ages 7-18): An engaging, activity-based workshop designed to teach younger minds how algorithms function, how to filter out fake news, and how to remain independent thinkers.
    In collaboration with the 786 Pathway course.
  • NOTICE: For Youth (Ages 5-7): Parents are required to supervise children of ages 7 and below and enjoy the public shared spaces for children.
TIME:

Saturday 5.00-6.30pm

SESSION 3:

Zikr Ceremony & Pagri Changing

Congregational worship and annual changing of the Turban in the Mausoleum.
TIME:

Saturday 8.00-11.00pm

SESSION 4:

Mind Over Machine: Human Intellect vs. Artificial Intelligence

The first series of presentations by our contributors who examine Information and AI in today’s digital age.

Presentations:
  • How Does True Intelligence Differ from Artificial Intelligence?
  • What is Missing In AI Today?
  • How Do We Maintain Independent Thinking in a World of AI?
  • Can I Have a Personal Relationship with AI?
  • An Introduction to Machine Learning – the Training of AI Models
  • How Do We Identify and Filter Out Misinformation, Fake News and Deepfakes?
TIME:

Sunday 1.30-7.00pm

SESSION 5:

Reset The Algorithm: Information, Perception and AI in Islam

Series of presentations, the Miqyaas Al Khidmah award, Final Keynote Speech and Dua concluding our 3-day event.

Presentations/Speeches:

  • How to Understand the Biases that Are Intrinsic in AI
  • Can AI Sincerely Serve Humanity?
  • Can AI Provide Moral Guidance?
  • The Future of AI
  • Social Media Today
  • Miqyaas AI Khidmah Award
  • The Projected Impact of AI Post Gen Z
  • Keynote Speech: Reset the Algorithm
Keynote Speaker

His Eminence Murshid Faizul Aqtab Siddiqi Hijazi

His Eminence Murshid Faizul Aqtab Siddiqi Hijazi is the authorised Principal Blessed Guide of the Naqshbandi Qadri Hijazi Spiritual Order. He hails from a blessed family lineage of famous scholars dating back to Murshid Khalifah Abu Bakr Al Siddiq (RA). He has been educated in the Revealed and the Natural Sciences and is a qualified Barrister in England. As a Principal Guide, His Eminence guides his thousands of Mureeds (spiritual students) across the globe to the true teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, so they attain the best in both spiritual progression and worldly matters. 

Focus Speaker

Brother Burhaan Al Aqtab Siddiqi

Brother Burhaan has graduated with his degree from Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry and is now completing his Dental Foundation Training (DFT) programme in Leicester. He is the second child of Murshid Faizul Aqtab Siddiqi Hijazi. Brother Burhaan plays an active role in the advocacy of safeguarding the honour of the Prophet Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص and promoting a minimal benchmark of civility through the Global Civility campaign. For this cause, he has met with several ambassadors and delegates from various countries. Like his noble grandfather, he is also an avid sportsman.
Focus Speaker

Faiha Siraj

Faiha is a Computer Science & Mathematics graduate. Whilst living in London, she has built a diverse professional background, having worked at Pearson Publishing, followed by the Congestion Charge, and most recently serving as an Executive Assistant across a range of initiatives. Throughout the years, she has been deeply involved in various Hijaz projects, lending her expertise to setting up and maintaining websites and managing data. Currently, Faiha is channelling her skills into the Wise Compass project. Faiha is also a qualified NLP Practitioner, and her areas of interest include reflexology, going for walks, attempting to keep up with her children when they are on their cycles, and spending the 29th evening of every Islamic month squinting at the horizon in hopes of spotting the new crescent moon!
Focus Speaker

Maulana Hafiz Asim Awan

Graduate of Hijaz College, Maulana Asim completed his LLB at University of London while he was studying at Hijaz College, attaining an MA Islamic Law and Theology in 2009. He is a qualified solicitor working in Birmingham. He is a Hafiz of the Quran, and has been teaching Islamic Theology since his graduation. He is also the curriculum convener for the Hijaz Diploma course and a key member of Muslim Arbitration Tribunal. He is happily married and a father of four beautiful children.
Focus Speaker

Dr Abid Iqbal

Dr Abid Iqbal works as a GP in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He completed his undergraduate training in Manchester and his postgraduate GP training in Bradford, where he now resides with his family. Working as a portfolio GP, he is a training programme director (TPD) for the Bradford GP training scheme and is passionate about GP training and education. Additionally, he works as a Medical Examiner (ME) for the Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust. Abid also serves as an Independent GP advisor to the North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and has an interest in commissioning the best possible primary care services for the community. He is a qualified life coach and thoroughly enjoys supporting colleagues during key transitions in their lives through professional coaching with Health Education England.
Focus Speaker

Imran Khan

Imran Khan works as a Regulatory Affairs Consultant within the Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology Industry, having graduated as a Molecular Biologist from University College London. Imran is involved in the building of a new Islamic youth centre which aspires to serve the local community in Watford. As part of his servitude to Creation, Imran also contributes his time and skills to Hijaz Community delivering project work and mentoring within London. He is happily married to Dr Saira Awan, who assists the sisters’ youth projects and they have three beautiful children. His hobbies include reading poetry and associated devotional music.
Focus Speaker

Naziema Joeman

Naziema was born and raised in The Netherlands and holds a Masters degree in Applied Physics. She spent nearly two decades in the Research & Development department of one of Europe’s most successful hedge funds, applying abstract reasoning and logical thinking to some of the most demanding problems in modern finance. Having since made the United Kingdom her base, Naziema now devotes much of her time to business development management, where her scientific training meets a deep curiosity for people and ideas. Naziema is the mother of two boys and is regarded by those who know her for her thoughtfulness, composure, and clarity in communicating complex ideas.
Focus Speaker

Abdul Rahman Hijazi

Abdul Rahman holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Warwick and currently works as an IT Project Manager, overseeing the delivery of technology projects across a range of sectors. He takes a keen interest in emerging AI tools and technologies, and uses this knowledge to support deen-related projects, helping bring modern technological solutions to the service of the community.
Focus Speaker

Bilal Saleem

Bilal Saleem is an entrepreneur, brand strategist and business leader with over 15 years of experience spanning technology, media, hospitality and consultancy. As the CEO of a branding and marketing agency, he has worked with a broad portfolio of national and international organisations, delivering strategic branding, digital transformation and commercial growth initiatives across multiple sectors. Alongside his work in marketing, Bilal is actively involved in the hospitality and franchising industry, where he operates and advises businesses on strategy, operations and expansion. He has developed a reputation for combining innovation with practical leadership, helping organisations embrace Artificial Intelligence while promoting its responsible and ethical adoption with a clear understanding of its opportunities, limitations and impact on society. Happily married, Bilal is the proud father of two delightful children.
Focus Speaker

Ibrar Hussain

Ibrar Hussain graduated in Computing and has over 25 years’ experience in the IT industry. He works as a cyber security architect for some of the UK’s most regulated organisations helping them improve their security posture, especially in the current environment where cyber-attacks are on the increase. He is the director of his own IT consultancy and heads up the IT department within Hijaz Group. He is happily married with four wonderful children.
Focus Speaker

Dr Jalil Ahmed

Dr Jalil Ahmed is a doctor and healthcare entrepreneur who has spent his career trying to make good care reach more people. He trained as a GP, and today leads one of the largest primary care providers in the UK – a team of around 1,000 people caring for more than 200,000 patients. Alongside this, he has founded fifteen healthcare ventures spanning digital health, mental health, pharmacy, diagnostics and specialist services, with a growing focus on how technology and Artificial Intelligence can serve patients rather than replace the human touch. His interest in AI is not theoretical: he works with these tools every day, and sees first-hand both what they can do and where their limits lie. Outside his clinical and business life, Dr Ahmed is a Trustee of Hijaz, a Senior Mentor for the Hijaz Community, and an examinations content writer for Hijaz World. He is married with three children.
Focus Speaker

Sister Nabeeha Al Azkah Siddiqi

Sister Nabeeha, our youngest speaker at the Blessed Summit event, is growing up in the esteemed household of her noble father and is also the youngest granddaughter of Mujaddid Murshid Abdul Wahab Siddiqi (RA). She is in the process of completing her Middle School education and is an avid reader. Nabeeha loves to participate in the service of others.