Building a deeper understanding of our heritage strengthens our identity and is a crucial part of development. As such, The Mainstay Foundation spearheads a project that connects Muslim professionals and students living in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada to the Holy City of Najaf – home to the Imam Ali (as) Shrine and the center of Islamic learning.

Through 10-day seminar-styled retreats, participants engage directly with the senior-most ranking scholars of the seminary. While participants greatly benefit from their experience, so do the scholars themselves. During these retreats, they deepeem their understanding of the challenges facing communities in the West and appreciated the group’s openness and interest.