Diyanet Center of America

Preparing Our Hearts for Ramadan at DCA

The Diyanet Center of America hosted a special pre-Ramadan program titled “Preparing Our Hearts for Ramadan: Healing, Forgiveness, and Renewal,” welcoming community members for an evening of reflection and spiritual preparation.

The program opened with a beautiful recitation of the Qur’an and reflected this year’s Ramadan theme, “Reviving Our Hearts, Strengthening Our Community.” Emphasizing that true renewal begins within, the speakers encouraged participants to prepare for Ramadan through sincere repentance, gratitude, duʿā’, and a deeper connection to Allah SWT.

The discussion highlighted how emotional healing and forgiveness help the heart receive Ramadan as an honored guest. Practical steps for readiness were shared, including strengthening intention with īmān and iḥtisāb, increasing istighfār, reconnecting with the Qur’an, guarding the heart from harmful habits, and embodying compassion toward oneself and others.

Special Guests from Guided Hearts Institute:

Dunia Shuaib, Founder and Executive Director
Aleyna Nur Sarap, Director of the Women’s Department
Maryam Fakhruddin, Therapist and Islamic Psychology Practitioner