Seminar Organized for Imams: Maintaining Motivation and Combating Stress in the Imam’s Work (Gallery)

The first interactive seminar for imams was held on September 24th and 25th, 2024, in Baden-Württemberg, representing yet another successful educational event organized by the Shoura – the Assembly of the Muslim Community of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The seminar was led by the head of the Luxembourg Muslim community, Hafiz Hilmija Redžić, and Secretary General Lukman Aličković, while the keynote speaker was psychologist and holder of a Master’s degree in Islamic law Irfan Klica.

M.Sc. Klica, with his multidisciplinary methodology, brilliantly connected the psychological and Islamic legal aspects of the theme “Maintaining Motivation and Combating Stress in the Imam’s Work.” His unique contribution was reflected in the practical part of the seminar, where each moment was dedicated to discussion and answering participants’ questions, making the seminar extremely dynamic and beneficial.

The seminar participants were renowned imams: M.Sc. Halil ef. Ahmetspahić, M.Sc. Fikret ef. Kalabić, Nedžad ef. Zilkić, Irfan ef. Hasanović, Muhamed ef. Rizvić, Hafiz AbdelHakim Badaoui, Hafiz Sead Subašić, Hafiz Zikret Mustafić, and Hafiz Edis Gorčević. All the imams unanimously highlighted that this seminar was one of the most significant events organized for imams in recent times and emphasized that the seminar’s impact exceeded their expectations.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit several iconic sites, accompanied by interactive discussions. They visited the University of Mannheim, the Wasserturm water tower where the Karl Benz monument and a replica of the first Mercedes car are located, as well as the “Alija Izetbegović” mosque in Mannheim, where they were welcomed by Imam Ferid Tutić and the mosque’s president, Muhamed Krajinović. The visit also included the historical Schwetzingen Castle complex, which features an 18th-century mosque, as well as a tour of the old town of Heidelberg and its castle, where the closing ceremony and certificate presentation took place.

After the seminar, the participants headed to Frankfurt for a communal lunch. Over the two-day seminar, they visited four German cities – Mannheim, Schwetzingen, Heidelberg, and Frankfurt – enriched with educational sessions, interactive discussions, and moments of camaraderie.

The seminar was organized according to a detailed schedule, including lectures, visits to cultural and historical landmarks, as well as opportunities for interactive discussions on the theme of motivation and stress in the imam’s work. Through a combination of theoretical and practical sessions, participants gained valuable insights that they will be able to apply to the daily challenges of their calling as imams.