Reflections on Faith and Community: Embracing God’s Nearness

Photo essay by Maya Mohosin (C’27)

When we first arrived at the Calcagnini Contemplative Center (CCC) for the retreat, we were greeted by a heart drawn in the sky by a skywriter. The theme of this semester’s retreat was Al-Qarib, Al-Mujib, both names of God that mean “The Close One” and “The Responder.” Seeing this heart felt like a sign that we were exactly where we needed to be. 

For me, this retreat couldn’t have come at a better time. It was during the Islamic month of Sha’ban, the month before Ramadan, when our deeds are presented to God. This retreat offered me a sign of God’s nearness and a moment to engage in dhikr (remembrance of God).

Some of the most powerful moments of reflection and discussion during the retreat occurred during the speaker events. Imam Yahya Hendi, Director of Muslim Life, and Imam Abdul-Malik Merchant, lead chaplain at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center in Virginia, spoke about the importance of understanding who God is and how He will always be near when you call upon Him. Resident Minister Iman Saymeh also joined the conversation, discussing the importance of connecting with ourselves, our friends, and our family, and how these connections impact our relationship with God.

Since this retreat took place a month before Ramadan, moments with the community allowed me to feel the excitement surrounding the upcoming month. Even though we often struggle with fasting, sleepless nights, and balancing our responsibilities, it’s our community that carries us through Ramadan. This retreat felt just like that! During the retreat, we enjoyed playing sports, taking pictures, and going on hikes. While reflecting on our faith is a key part of the experience, it also provides a much-needed break from the upcoming stress of exams, extracurriculars, and studying back on campus.

Photography is one of my passions, and I couldn’t resist capturing this sunset. Its simplicity felt deeply symbolic and helped me ground myself during this retreat. The sunset marks the time for Maghrib, the fourth daily prayer for Muslims, and I often struggle with slowing down enough to be fully present in my prayers. Between the chaos of daily life, the pressure to always be productive, and my own tendency to overthink, I find it difficult to truly pause and disconnect from the worries of the day. But in this moment, the sunset forced me to be still, to appreciate the beauty of transition, and to embrace the quiet before nightfall. It reminded me that just as the sun sets and rises again, I, too, am allowed moments of stillness before moving forward.

Isha, the final prayer of the day, allowed us to come together in worship, reflecting on the talks from earlier and deepening our connection with God. In this moment of stillness, we found the space to renew our intentions. Through prayer, we open our hearts to His presence, embracing the reassurance that He hears us, knows our struggles, and is always close, ready to guide us toward Him. The dark night sky of Bluemont, VA, surrounded us, a reminder of the tranquility that comes with surrendering to God’s will. Prayer felt like a release—a moment to lay down our worries and hopes, trusting that Al-Qarib, Al-Mujib, was receiving them. Throughout the night, I looked up at the sky above us. Just as the heart in the sky had greeted us upon arrival, the stars now shone as a reminder of God’s infinite presence. This retreat was not just a break from our commitments and academic responsibilities; it was a call to return to God with sincerity and to trust that no matter where we are in life, He remains near, always ready to respond.

Maya Mohosin (C’27) is studying Government and Justice in Peace Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. All photo credits are hers.