Join Sunday Schooled... in Makkah

October 2025: The Halaqa in the Holy Land

Over the years, a lot of readers have asked me how they can join the halaqa, putting me to work: how do I make something resolutely small and local accessible to a global audience? Brothers and sisters, we have an answer: From Saturday, October 11 to Sunday, October 19, Queen City Diwan and Hajar Travels present Umrah For All, which brings the spirit and substance of Sunday Schooled to the Holy Land.

Umrah For All is open to pilgrims of all ages and backgrounds. But seats are intentionally limited. If you’re interested, keep reading!

How It Started: Every Opportunity is a Responsibility

I’ve been blessed to perform umrah multiple times, personally and as a group leader. After a few years away, I’d been making du‘a, asking Allah to guide me back to the land of the Prophets Ibrahim, Isma‘il, and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them), of Hajar (peace be upon her), of the Companions and their Successors (may Allah be pleased with them).

Then, Hajar Travels reached out to see if I’d be open to partnering on an October umrah trip through Queen City Diwan. I was more than interested—I’m honored.
Just a few days later, I received a message from Ammar Arif on LinkedIn. It was the best endorsement I could have hoped for and his message helped me answer the obvious question: What would make my umrah trip different?

Ammar had just completed this year’s hajj (may Allah accept!) With his LinkedIn message, it all came together. Yes, Umrah For All will be an umrah trip, including ample time at the two most sacred mosques and some of the most profoundly meaningful places from our faith and tradition. But there was more I specifically could offer, which no other umrah trip can.

I’m designing an umrah for the many people who’ve wanted to experience Sunday Schooled, capturing the heart and soul of the halaqas, an opportunity for you and your family to receive what my students do, in a small group, intimate, open and accessible. More excitingly, Umrah For All is built as much for students as for teachers, for the younger as for the older, for the deeply committed and those looking for a way back in.

Who’s This Trip For?

When I call this trip Umrah For All, I really mean that. Of course, for those whose children and students can take off from October 11 - 19, I strongly urge and encourage you to come. The timing is purposeful—we’re avoiding the hottest and busiest season, making the journey easier, especially for first-timers, new Muslims, or those hesitant about their faith.

Worried about missing school? I promise you a religious and rigorous educational experience, one that can easily justify the days off. You might miss some class. But you’ll more than make up for it with what you gain.

I’ve loved working with students of all ages and backgrounds: From my undergraduate years building the Islamic Center at New York University to teaching at Columbia University, from New England Islamic schools to my ongoing elementary, middle and high school halaqas, not to mention my years of developing and leading regional and global experiences for young professionals of diverse backgrounds…

I’ll bring that experience and that passion to Umrah For All. While I want and welcome young students, this experience is equally aimed at parents, future parents, educators and community leaders as well.

In fact, there’s a lot for everyone who wants to learn, grow and build together.

My Five Commitments To You

People choose to travel with groups, scholars and companies that reflect who we are, what we seek, and what we’d like to focus on. Umrah For All will make five commitments and, if these speak to you, well I think I have an umrah trip for you.

• Ideas Matter
  I’ll give you a fresh look at Islam’s timeless fundamentals, the key beliefs that might seem hard for people in the modern world to fully understand the importance of—but which are vital to living Islam with confidence and joy.

• History Matters
  We’ll revisit the foundational moments of our faith, the past that is just as relevant today as it was fourteen centuries ago, without which today’s Muslims are rudderless and adrift.

• Sunday Schooled!
  In an interactive, engaging workshop, I’ll share how Sunday Schooled emerged and how you can start—or elevate—your own halaqa. As a small, intimate group, we’ll tackle questions Substack doesn’t allow.

• AI Changes Everything… and Nothing
  I’ll explain how I’ve adapted my curriculum to new technologies and rapidly changing technologies and realities.
  If you’ve read Jonathan Haidt or worry about screen time, if you wonder how to encourage deep, critical learning, or how young Muslims can build community and strong families, relationships and institutions—I’ll share creative, faith-forward solutions.

• Q&A: Ask Me Anything
  This isn’t just an educational philosophy (if you’ve been following my halaqas, you’ll know what I mean!)
  We’ll have open conversation about my time in academia, education, arts and culture, college coaching, media and institution-building, to share what I’ve learned, to offer guidance to parents, young professionals, and students—while we’re worshipping and growing together.

These commitments aren’t just for a certain kind of Muslim. That’s why this experience is called Umrah For All.

We’re All Meant To Be Here… Now

I worry that some of our communities and institutions have forgotten that our Prophet, peace be upon him, was a mercy for all the worlds. If you’re looking for a deeper perspective on Islam as a global faith, an eager and optimistic take on what we can do in and across the world, a chance to learn with like-minded people, to take friends and make friends… this umrah is built for you!

The Relevant Details

Dates: Saturday, October 11 to Sunday, October 19 (many schools and institutions mark October 13 as a holiday).

Who’s Invited: Muslims of all ages, life stages, and backgrounds—young and old, new to the faith or immersed in it, seeking deeper meaning or looking to reconnect.

Why Limited? Umrah For All is intentionally limited so we can ask hard questions, think about tough topics, and worship, reflect, and grow together in a supportive community.

Whether you’re new to Islam, eager for a way back, or looking for friends and family—this trip is for you.

Partnership: This Queen City Diwan journey is built in partnership with Hajar Travels.
Learn more and register your interest on our trip website.

What’s Included:

• Three nights in Madinah and four nights in Makkah at wonderful hotels with breakfasts included

• Ground transportation by bus and high-speed train

• Local religious tours and boutique experiences

• Saudi tourist visa included

• Qatar Airways airfare from major gateways

• Sunday Schooled!—I’ll be there, teaching, answering questions, and guiding you every step of the way

Here’s that website again.

More Reasons to Celebrate

It’s been a beautiful Eid, maybe because we spent so much time locally, with family, close friends and in community. It’s not often we get to do that—and I cherish that. It’s one of the most beautiful things about our communities… when we get it right.

It’s also been graduation season: This year, and including our eldest, six halaqa students have graduated.

This weekend, I spoke at and led a du’a at a graduation party for one of these students, one of my first, which was truly bittersweet. Here’s me, offering some memories, including a few stories he’d probably wished I hadn’t shared. But it was all in good fun and I appreciate these occasions immensely. Yes, it’s on to the next chapter. But the next chapter can’t start until you’ve marked the previous like it deserves to be.

That’s just one of the lessons I’ve learned from Sunday Schooled.

In weeks to come, I’ll share more about the October trip, pass on further details about our January trip exclusively for college students — and share teasers and trailers from Avenue M, the new podcast I’m co-launching with my good friend, Joey Taylor. So far, our confirmed guests include Richard Reeves from the American Institute for Boys and Men, columnist and fellow Substacker Shadi Hamid, and many more!

To stay up-to-date with the halaqas, to learn more about Queen City Diwan’s fall trips, and to find great resources for learning, teaching, growing and building, please subscribe: Sunday Schooled is an intentionally free community!