Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem,

Assalaam Alaikum,

Introduction

Purpose of the Tazkiyah Retreat

From its rustic location in the Adirondack Mountains, the Tazkiyah Retreat offers an excellent opportunity for Muslims to experience a unique Islamic Retreat to purify one's soul.

Camp activities will comprise of teaching as well as practice. Sessions will cover what the ailments of the Nafs and Qalb (heart) are and how to change the state of these inner ailments from our hearts. Throughout the camp we will emphasize Ibadah with Fikr (contemplation & reflection) and Dhikr in accordance with the Sunnah. By this way we will connect with Allah's creation and enjoy with spiritual focus the natural beauty that surrounds us. Other activities include hiking and canoeing.

We will learn to feel the pleasure that comes with Taqwa (consciousness) of Allah through an enjoyable spiritual experience, Insha' Allah.

Dates

Important dates

The dates for this year's retreat are from Saturday, June 14th until Wednesday, June 25th, 2008. Retreat registrants MUST come on the first day and leave on the 25th. (OR Sunday the 22nd if you absolutely have to due to work and remember you are missing three days of the complete retreat and will not be given priority in acceptance) No other leaving/coming dates are accepted. Do not buy an airline ticket until you are confirmed. Registration will be from March 20th - April 10th. We will confirm your acceptance after April 15th inshaAllah. You must give us final acceptance by April 30th. This will allow us to add people from the waiting list if you cannot attend. Due to space and retreat spiritual considerations, not everyone can be accepted. Please make definite plans so that we don't have last minute cancellations when we could have accepted someone from the waiting list.

Teacher

Sessions will be taught by Sh. Mokhtar Maghraoui.

Originally from Algeria, Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui is a nationally renowned Muslim scholar and a frequent speaker at numerous Islamic conferences throughout North America. Shaykh Maghraoui is an active participant of interfaith trialogue with the Jewish and Christian communities in the Capital District of New York area.

Cost

Finances

The only costs include a per night charge by the camp facility for the lodge or cabin housing, and per meal cost for the food. There also may be a fee for transportation from Albany airport/train station to the retreat site. There is no cost for the retreat itself or the teacher. There are 5 packages, each with a different cost (USD$).

• 12-Day Lodge - $352.00
• 12-Day Cabin - $242.00
• 9-Day Lodge - $250.00
• 9-Day Cabin - $173.00
• Weekend Cabin - $46.00

  The 12-Day Lodge Package - Lodge Accomodations - 2 Meals a day each full day of the retreat (breakfast & dinner) - Suhoor and Iftar on days of fasting - Dinner on the day of arrival, Breakfast on the day of departure - Total price: $352 [$22 x 10 nights + $6 x 22 meals]

  The 12-Day Cabin Package - Cabin Accomodations - 2 Meals a day each full day of the retreat - Suhoor and Iftar on days of fasting - Dinner on the day of arrival, Breakfast on the day of departure - Total price: $242 [$11 x 10 nights + $6 x 22 meals]

  The 9-Day Lodge Package # Lodge Accomodations # 2 Meals a day each full day of the retreat (breakfast & dinner) # Suhoor and Iftar on days of fasting # Dinner on the day of arrival, Breakfast on the day of departure # Total price: $250 [$22 x 7 nights + $6 x 16 meals]

  The 9-Day Cabin Package # Cabin Accomodations # 2 Meals a day each full day of the retreat # Suhoor and Iftar on days of fasting # Dinner on the day of arrival, Breakfast on the day of departure # Total price: $173 [$11 x 7 nights + $6 x 16 meals]

  Weekend Cabin Package ^ Estimated price: cabin $46 [$11 x 2 nights + $6 x 4 meals]

Transportation

The retreat site is located in a remote area of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate NY. It takes about two hours to drive from the nearest major city, Albany (airport code: ALB).

All those driving should plan to

• arrive on Saturday the 14th before 5pm

  and should plan to

• leave either Wednesday June 25th after 11am or Sunday June 22nd after 11am.

No other leaving/arriving times are accepted.

We will provide transportation inshaAllah at the following dates/times:

• Saturday June 14th at 12pm and 6pm from the Albany area (airport, train, bus station, etc.)

• Sunday June 22nd at 9am and 1pm return to Albany (arrival in Albany will be 2 hours later [11am and 3pm] so plan flights/tickets accordingly)

• Wednesday June 25th at 9am and 1pm return to Albany (arrival in Albany will be 2 hours later [11am and 3pm]

Plan your flights/travel arrangements accordingly.

Food

There will be a lack of emphasis on the food. We will have two meals per day (breakfast and dinner). This simple diet will help enrich our diet of spiritual learning and practice.

Accomodation

Our thanks to the Fowler Camp & Retreat Center which will be hosting us.

There are two choices for accomodations. The Lodge or the Cabins. Please note that the cabins are very basic, have few amenities and are further from the main lodge, hence the less expensive cost. There is no heat and a shared showerhouse, though there is a bathroom in each cabin. If you are staying in a cabin, you will need a sleeping bag, pillow, towels and linens.

For those in the Lodge, please keep in mind that space is extremely tight. Though each room in the lodge has two beds, because of the limited space a number of us will need to sleep on the floor and may need sleeping bags as well.

Priority in the lodge will be given to older people and those with special needs. Because of the limited amount of rooms in the lodge, we may ask certain people to move to the cabins. We will let you know upon confirmation inshaAllah.

Publicity

Help to publicize the retreat in your community using the following word document flier InshaAllah.

What to Bring

The retreat is intended to be a time of focus on purification and discipline of the nafs, with a de-emphasis on material things. We ask that you bring with you only what is needed. Pack lightly as there isn't much room in the cars or in the lodges. Some suggestions:
- toiletries
- sleeping bag and pillow
- warm clothing (there are no laundry facilities)
- a copy of the Qur'an
- notebook and writing utensils
- alarm clock
- flashlight
- towel
- mosquito repellant, bug spray
- hiking boots
- jacket and rain gear
- and most importantly, a sincere niyyah.

Retreat Policies

Rules

• Cell phones are not allowed except for emergency use only. Otherwise they should be turned off and kept in the rooms.
• Children are not allowed due to space and the consideration of other participants.
• Locals (Albany, NY residents)who have special permission to attend for a weekend must stay in the cabins. This is to minimize constant accomodation changes and ensure harmony of the retreat.
• The retreat campsite is not open to anyone before or after the stated arrival/departure times.
• Dress code: Both genders should wear loose fitting clothing. (Sisters if wearing pants should wear a top that reaches the knees.)
• No one is allowed to leave the retreat site without permission.

Registration

Details on Registration

• After the registration period is over, a select number of participants will be chosen to attend (usually 30 brothers, 30 sisters). If you are not selected, your name will be placed on a waiting list in case of cancellations.
• Please fill out a different registration form for each person, including one for a wife and one for a husband.
• Applicants must be over the age of 18. No children are allowed.
• Applicants must be able to attend the complete 12 days (9 if it's a necessity). This is to ensure a serene and peaceful atmosphere throughout the retreat without constant accomodation changes/comings/goings that harm the spiritual harmony of the retreat. Acceptance priority is given to those who can attend the complete retreat.
• Full payment is expected on the first day of the retreat. Please bring cash (American) or check. Do not fill in a name on the check yet.
• Financial assistance may be available. Please indicate if you need it on the registration form.
• After you have submitted your application, we will acknowledge its delivery by sending you a confirmation email. Please note that this confirmation email does not necessarily indicate acceptance of your application. Every application is subject to review and approval by Sh. Mokhtar.
• Ten days after the registration period has ended, we will let you know if you are accepted to attend inshaAllah.
• If you are having problems viewing or completing the application form, please contact the retreat staff.

QUESTIONS

If more information is needed

For more information please email retreatstaff @ yahoo.com

I have carefully read all the above information, agree to it and would like to register inshaAllah!

Alhamdulillah :)