On October 8th, MAA hosted "365 Days: Resilience, Resistance & Revolution," a dynamic and powerful event that left everyone feeling inspired, informed, and ready to make a difference. With a lineup of brilliant speakers—Basma Kahil, Ramia Abdo Sultan, and Anisa Khan—the event highlighted the strength, unity, and unwavering determination that we need to cultivate every day. Below, we dive into some key takeaways from the event, and trust us, there's plenty of inspiration to go around!

Anisa Khan: Finding Strength in Spirituality

Anisa Khan reminded us of the power that comes from nurturing our spiritual core, especially when life gets challenging. She shared some great tips on how to stay grounded through the ups and downs:

• Make Dua for Patience: Patience isn’t just waiting for things to pass—it’s about actively asking Allah for guidance and remembering that there’s a spiritual benefit to everything we experience. Anisa emphasised the importance of seeing every challenge through a lens of patience and growth.
• Daily Conversations with Allah: Anisa put it so beautifully—Salah is us talking to Allah, and the Quran is Allah talking to us. It’s a two-way conversation that we need to nurture every day. The more consistent we are with our prayers and Quran recitation, the stronger our spiritual connection becomes.
• Set Boundaries: One of the most powerful stories she shared was about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Wahshi, the man who killed his beloved uncle Hamza (RA). After Wahshi embraced Islam, the Prophet forgave him but asked that Wahshi stay out of his sight during prayer. The lesson? Even in forgiveness, it’s okay to set boundaries.
• Surround Yourself with Growth: Anisa encouraged us to be mindful of the people we keep close. Surround yourself with those who push you to grow and stay focused on your goals—spiritually, personally, and emotionally.

Basmah Kahil: Resistance is a Lifelong Journey

Basmah Kahil’s talk was all about resistance—but not just in the usual sense of the word. She emphasised that while boycotts and protests are important, resistance is much deeper, involving not just external actions, but a shift in mindset and personal growth.

• Resist Your Nafs: Basmah shared that the real battle often starts within. Resisting our own desires (nafs) is one of the toughest challenges, but once we’ve mastered that, it opens the door to greater personal growth and purpose.
• Decolonise Your Heart and Mind: Another standout point from Basmah’s talk was the idea of decolonising our hearts and minds. This means staying true to our traditions, maintaining our language, and resisting any attempts to strip away our identity. It’s about reclaiming our narrative and humanising our people.
• Sumood – Steadfastness: Liberation doesn’t happen overnight. Basmah empowered the audience by explaining that the Palestinian people often refer to the concept of Sumood, or steadfastness. It’s about putting your foot down and refusing to budge, even when the journey is long and tough. Keep moving forward, step by step.

Ramia Abdo Sultan: The Economic Realities and Global Awareness

Ramia Abdo Sultan took us on a deep dive into the economic impact of resistance. While we know the emotional and physical toll it takes, the financial strain is often overlooked—and it’s huge.

• Economic Strain: With $67 billion dollars lost, it’s becoming harder for oppressors to maintain the status quo. Every disruption costs them more, and while the situation is far from over, the cracks are starting to show.
• Global Awakening: Ramia shared some positive news too: for the first time, the world is waking up to the realities of oppression. Thanks to social media and independent voices, the stories that were once hidden are now being heard. People are realising the true impact of what's happening, and change is in the air.

Takeaways: Resilience is the Key

The 365 Days: Resilience, Resistance & Revolution event was a beautiful reminder that our strength doesn’t just lie in physical acts of resistance. It’s in our hearts, our minds, and our spiritual growth. Whether it’s through small daily habits, standing firm in our beliefs, or fighting for justice on a larger scale, resilience is the foundation that keeps us going.

Moving Forward with Sumood

At the heart of everything discussed was the idea that resilience and steadfastness (Sumood) are essential in both the short and long-term fight for justice. The road is long, but as the speakers reminded us, every small step counts.
Let’s move forward with patience, growth, and strength—whether that’s resisting our nafs, staying connected through prayer, or standing up for the oppressed. We have the power within us to make a difference, no matter how big or small.