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"Come in, the door is open.
The sweet air is breathing for you.
The table is set,
We share the same hunger.
Come in, your host has been waiting,
And you are the honored guest."
— Ibn Arabi
AN INVITATION TO BREAK FAST TOGETHER
Open to all mental health professionals and their families!
Join us for an extraordinary evening where professional development meets profound human connection. As therapists, we know that healing happens in relationship—and understanding happens through experience. This winter, we invite you to step into the warmth of our Muslim community's Ramadan observance at MCA, one of the Bay Area's most vibrant Islamic centers, sharing in the sacred ritual of Iftar as the sun sets.
All are welcome here—whatever you believe in or not, you are welcome. This gathering is about human connection, cultural understanding, and professional growth. No religious affiliation or belief is required or
expected.
Families are warmly welcomed. Bring your children to witness the beauty of cultural bridge-building. Let them taste new flavors, hear the call to prayer, and discover how understanding grows when we gather together.
What to Know About Ramadan - Interview with Sabreen Azhar, LMFT
EVENING JOURNEY
3:30 PM — Arrival & Sacred Spaces
Be welcomed with traditional hospitality at MCA's spacious campus. Our gracious hosts from Khalil Center will guide your introduction to this sacred space.
4:30 PM — Wisdom Circle
Discover therapeutic approaches rooted in Islamic tradition with Heba El-Haddad, PsyD Candidate, and Sabreen Azhar, LMFT.
6:00 PM — Sunset: Breaking the Fast
Experience the profound moment when the day's fast ends. Share dates and water in the traditional way.
6:30 PM — Feast & Fellowship
Gather around tables with Arabic Mediterranean cuisine. Q&A; about integrating cultural sensitivity into therapeutic practice.
PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT TO MCA
Modest Dress: We invite you to dress modestly as a gesture of cultural respect.
Parking: MCA has ample free parking available on site.
Children: This is a family-friendly gathering. Children often find great joy in the communal breaking of fast and the warmth of shared meals. We'll have a quiet activity space to engage young ones during the workshop portion. A separate childcare room is also available on request.
Please Note: This is a cultural immersion experience, not a CEU event. The focus is on experiential learning and community connection.
PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT
Participants agree to the following:
■ I understand that this is an experiential cultural immersion workshop at MCA. I will participate with respectful curiosity, honoring the sacred space of our host community.
■ I acknowledge that this event involves food consumption as part of the Iftar meal. I have disclosed any dietary restrictions above and understand that while MCA's kitchen will make every effort to accommodate, I am responsible for my own dietary needs.
■ I agree to hold harmless SCV-CAMFT, Cultural Field Guides, MCA, and all facilitators from any liability arising from my participation in this event.
■ I will respect MCA's photography guidelines of the sacred space and community members.
■ I commit to arriving on time at 3:30 PM out of respect for the structured timeline leading to sunset prayers.
ABOUT OUR FACILITATORS
Heba El-Haddad, PsyD Candidate
Heba El-Haddad is a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate who brings deep expertise in culturally-responsive mental health care. As a clinician at Khalil Center, she specializes in integrating Islamic principles with evidence-based therapeutic approaches, helping Muslim clients navigate mental health challenges while honoring their faith traditions.
Sabreen Azhar, LMFT
Sabreen Azhar is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with extensive experience in providing culturally-informed therapy to diverse Muslim populations. At Khalil Center, she has developed innovative approaches to couples and family therapy that honor Islamic values while addressing contemporary relationship challenges.
"Your heart and my heart are very, very old friends." — Hafiz
This evening, we gather as old friends meeting for the first time.
Questions?
Contact culturalfieldguides@gmail.com.
Cultural Field Guides is an initiative of Santa Clara Valley CAMFT, designed to immerse mental health professionals in the living contexts of the communities we serve.
