The College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) hosted Islamic theologian and imam Dr. Yasir Qadhi, Dean of the Islamic Seminary of America, for a talk titled “Dealing with Anxiety in Light of the Sirah” on January 17, 2023.

Dr. Qadhi discussed how the Sirah - or biography - of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) can serve as a guide on how to deal with stress and anxiety, highlighting how the Prophetic model can help combat assuage feelings of distress and overcome grief.

“As a prominent voice on contemporary Islamic thought and author of multiple books in this field, Dr. Qadhi’s insights provided a valuable resource that could aid the community in looking after their mental health,” according to Wasif Ali Khan, Business Transformation Project Manager, Minaretein Center. 

The Minaretein Center, which co-hosted the event, is CIS’s community engagement arm, and strives to be the leading education center based on Islam’s universal ethical and moral values by making lifelong learning accessible to communities in Qatar.

“The life and teachings of our Prophet (PBUH) provide guidance on many aspects of our daily lives, including manners and etiquettes. Dr. Qadhi’s perspective outlined how we can also derive counsel from them so that we can better support ourselves,” said Mr. Khan.

The session was the latest edition of CIS’s Dean’s Foresight Talks, an ongoing series of enlightening conversations on subjects from across the vast spectrum of Islamic scholarship featuring renowned experts and thought leaders. The Foresight Talk was preceded with another event, “Between Madrasah and the Academy: Studying Islam in the East versus the West,” designed specifically for the youth to appreciate the multiple approaches to studying faith and their strengths and limitations.

CIS is a result of a visionary approach to Islamic studies and the thought leadership that defines its contributions on the national, regional, and global scales.