Al-Sirat Program 2026
A journey of a lifetime that transforms Muslim seekers through knowledge, travel, mentorship and a carefully crafted curriculum over the course of seven months.
Applications closed on 24 May 2026. Applications after this date may be considered but are not guaranteed. Please send an accompanying email to admin@mya.org.au if you apply after this date.
Al-Sirat Program 2026
A journey of a lifetime that transforms Muslim seekers through knowledge, travel, mentorship and a carefully crafted curriculum over the course of seven months.
What is Al-Sirat Program?
Your opportunity to live Islam as a living tradition
Al-Sirat Program is back for 2026 – an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of Islam as a living tradition and be equipped with the principles, tools, and practices to navigate the world around you. This year, the program carries a unifying theme: Navigating an Age of Crises: Principles, Tools, and Practices. In a time of political fracture, spiritual confusion, and relentless change, the Islamic tradition has never been more relevant. Under the guidance of three esteemed scholars, participants will be guided to transform themselves and the world around them.
7 Month Journey
4 In-Person Knowledge Retreats (Wagga Wagga)
Between Retreats: Hikes (Sydney & Melbourne), Online Classes & Readings
Course Booklet, Materials & Syllabus
Shortlisted Cohort
End-of-Year Grand Tour (Malaysia)
Certificate Upon Completion
Explore 3 Fundamental Subjects in Today's Climate
The Prophetic Path: Foundations of Inner Refinement
Course Objectives
Grounded in the enduring guidance of Imam al-Haddad’s Book of Assistance, this course aims to:- Provide a practical framework for understanding and applying classical Islamic spiritual teachings to the realities of modern youth life.
- Explore the inner diseases and distractions that weaken faith, and identify strategies to overcome them through conscious spiritual practice
- Develop a deeper awareness of the states of the heart, including sincerity, gratitude, patience, reliance, and contentment, and their role in shaping character and action.
- Equip participants with tools to assess their personal spiritual condition, set meaningful growth intentions, and implement sustainable habits for self-development.
- Strengthen the connection between Prophetic character ﷺ and everyday conduct, enabling participants to navigate relationships, ambitions, and challenges with wisdom and integrity.
- Inspire young Muslims to live Islam as a transformative way of being, integrating inner spiritual excellence with outward purpose, service, and balanced worldly success.
Saara Sabbagh is the Founder and Chair of Benevolence Australia, a faith-based, non-profit community organisation established in 2008. Benevolence Australia is dedicated to providing education and support to converts and reconnecting Muslims in Melbourne, fostering a sense of belonging and spiritual growth.
Background
Saara’s foundation in Islamic teachings originates from her time in the city of Hama, Syria, where she had the privilege of studying under esteemed female scholars. This experience provided her with a solid grounding in faith and spirituality, as well as valuable insights into their practical application in today’s world.
As a qualified couples therapist and meditation teacher, Saara blends her spiritual grounding with professional expertise to offer specialised classes in personal development, marriage mentoring, and spiritual growth. With over three decades of experience in community leadership and education, Saara has developed a range of impactful programs, including her latest initiative, Good Beginnings — the first pre-marriage mentoring program tailored specifically for Muslim couples in Australia.
Seeing Things as They Are: Islam, Knowledge, and Modernity
Course Objectives
In 2026, the main focus of the course is getting our minds right in contemporary times, by focusing on:- Thinking, understanding, and knowledge in Islam
- The history, philosophy, and misosophy of modern ideas
- The need for an intelligent and intellectual engagement with the deen
- An epoch where emotions and passions rule over knowledge and the intellect
Skills Outcomes
- Learning to sit and focus without distractions
- Reading closely and between the lines
- Engaging by thinking deeply and critically
- Practicing dhikr with the tongue and heart both inside and outside class
- Practicing fikr with the intellectual heart outside class
Knowledge Outcomes
- Envisioning Islamic epistemology and worldview
- Understanding modernity and its problems
- Understanding various topics in modernity, including:
- Theories in social sciences and the humanities
- Science, scientific theories, ideology, and truth
- Character, comportment and inner reality
Mohammed Naushad graduated with the Dean’s Commendation Award in Australia’s first Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program from La Trobe University, where he also taught economics. He was the head of English at ISAR Istanbul Research and Education Foundation and co-founded Fraser’s GAMSAT Tuition, SANAD Australia, and First Philosophy.
Background
Recently he helped establish the Institute of Regenerative Livelihoods which focuses on reviving the Islamic community through traditional mu’amalah, ecology, and Islamic community economics. Professionally, he works in vocational education and assessment, having advised the Australian and foreign governments on education as a consultant. He is currently teaching western intellectual history at Melbourne Muslim Seminary and developing a course on political theory at First Philosophy.
Lessons from the Cave: A Quranic Roadmap for a World in Crisis
Course Objectives
Based around the four major stories present in Surah Kahf, this course aims to:- Provide sociopolitical, economic, psychological, and philosophical commentary on Surah Al-Kahf.
- Explore methods to understand the modern world through the lens of Islamic teachings.
- Discuss how to respond to contemporary challenges from a religious and personal perspective.
- Develop frameworks for framing political issues and integrating them into daily life.
- Identify psychological and introspective tools necessary for personal growth.
- Address the necessity for change both individually and within the community.
- Provide a deep commentary on the Qur’an’s relevance to modern life.
Dr Samir is Academic Director of Usul Academy, and Lecturer on the Diploma in Islamic Psychology at the Cambridge Muslim College. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from esteemed institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT, complemented with extensive expertise in traditional Islamic studies.
Background
Recently he was Assistant Professor at the Lebanese American University. He has a BA (Hons) in Anthropology & Politics with a focus on multicultural theory and comparative religion, and an MA in Architectural History, Theory & Urban Design with a focus on the traditional townscape from the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia. He also holds an MPhil in Theology & Religious Studies with a focus on comparative philosophy and aesthetics. He completed a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Dr. Timothy Winter (Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad).
Alongside his academic studies, he has pursued knowledge of the Islamic sciences under traditional scholars, particularly in Tripoli, Lebanon.
The Prophetic Path: Foundations of Inner Refinement
Course Objectives
Grounded in the enduring guidance of Imam al-Haddad’s Book of Assistance, this course aims to:- Provide a practical framework for understanding and applying classical Islamic spiritual teachings to the realities of modern youth life.
- Explore the inner diseases and distractions that weaken faith, and identify strategies to overcome them through conscious spiritual practice
- Develop a deeper awareness of the states of the heart, including sincerity, gratitude, patience, reliance, and contentment, and their role in shaping character and action.
- Equip participants with tools to assess their personal spiritual condition, set meaningful growth intentions, and implement sustainable habits for self-development.
- Strengthen the connection between Prophetic character ﷺ and everyday conduct, enabling participants to navigate relationships, ambitions, and challenges with wisdom and integrity.
- Inspire young Muslims to live Islam as a transformative way of being, integrating inner spiritual excellence with outward purpose, service, and balanced worldly success.
Saara Sabbagh is the Founder and Chair of Benevolence Australia, a faith-based, non-profit community organisation established in 2008. Benevolence Australia is dedicated to providing education and support to converts and reconnecting Muslims in Melbourne, fostering a sense of belonging and spiritual growth.
Background
Saara’s foundation in Islamic teachings originates from her time in the city of Hama, Syria, where she had the privilege of studying under esteemed female scholars. This experience provided her with a solid grounding in faith and spirituality, as well as valuable insights into their practical application in today’s world.
As a qualified couples therapist and meditation teacher, Saara blends her spiritual grounding with professional expertise to offer specialised classes in personal development, marriage mentoring, and spiritual growth. With over three decades of experience in community leadership and education, Saara has developed a range of impactful programs, including her latest initiative, Good Beginnings — the first pre-marriage mentoring program tailored specifically for Muslim couples in Australia.
Seeing Things as They Are: Islam, Knowledge, and Modernity
Course Objectives
In 2026, the main focus of the course is getting our minds right in contemporary times, by focusing on:- Thinking, understanding, and knowledge in Islam
- The history, philosophy, and misosophy of modern ideas
- The need for an intelligent and intellectual engagement with the deen
- An epoch where emotions and passions rule over knowledge and the intellect
Skills Outcomes
- Learning to sit and focus without distractions
- Reading closely and between the lines
- Engaging by thinking deeply and critically
- Practicing dhikr with the tongue and heart both inside and outside class
- Practicing fikr with the intellectual heart outside class
Knowledge Outcomes
- Envisioning Islamic epistemology and worldview
- Understanding modernity and its problems
- Understanding various topics in modernity, including:
- Theories in social sciences and the humanities
- Science, scientific theories, ideology, and truth
- Character, comportment and inner reality
Mohammed Naushad graduated with the Dean’s Commendation Award in Australia’s first Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program from La Trobe University, where he also taught economics. He was the head of English at ISAR Istanbul Research and Education Foundation and co-founded Fraser’s GAMSAT Tuition, SANAD Australia, and First Philosophy.
Background
Recently he helped establish the Institute of Regenerative Livelihoods which focuses on reviving the Islamic community through traditional mu’amalah, ecology, and Islamic community economics. Professionally, he works in vocational education and assessment, having advised the Australian and foreign governments on education as a consultant. He is currently teaching western intellectual history at Melbourne Muslim Seminary and developing a course on political theory at First Philosophy.
Lessons from the Cave: A Quranic Roadmap for a World in Crisis
Course Objectives
Based around the four major stories present in Surah Kahf, this course aims to:- Provide sociopolitical, economic, psychological, and philosophical commentary on Surah Al-Kahf.
- Explore methods to understand the modern world through the lens of Islamic teachings.
- Discuss how to respond to contemporary challenges from a religious and personal perspective.
- Develop frameworks for framing political issues and integrating them into daily life.
- Identify psychological and introspective tools necessary for personal growth.
- Address the necessity for change both individually and within the community.
- Provide a deep commentary on the Qur’an’s relevance to modern life.
Dr Samir is Academic Director of Usul Academy, and Lecturer on the Diploma in Islamic Psychology at the Cambridge Muslim College. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from esteemed institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT, complemented with extensive expertise in traditional Islamic studies.
Background
Recently he was Assistant Professor at the Lebanese American University. He has a BA (Hons) in Anthropology & Politics with a focus on multicultural theory and comparative religion, and an MA in Architectural History, Theory & Urban Design with a focus on the traditional townscape from the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia. He also holds an MPhil in Theology & Religious Studies with a focus on comparative philosophy and aesthetics. He completed a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Dr. Timothy Winter (Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad).
Alongside his academic studies, he has pursued knowledge of the Islamic sciences under traditional scholars, particularly in Tripoli, Lebanon.
Program Dates
- Retreats: Friday late evening (arrive anytime) to Sunday 4pm
- Online lessons: Tuesdays, 7pm – 8:30pm
- Hike & reflections: Sundays, 9am – 11am, held in Sydney and Melbourne
- Retreats, online lessons and reading assignments are compulsory
Investment
$1750
- end of program grand tour priced separately
- financial aid available
FAQs
This program is open to males and females over the age of 18 from any part of the world, as long as they can travel to the retreats. We will prioritise applicants who can commit to the program and have a demonstrated passion for learning and serving others. Past participants are warmly welcome to apply again.
We will prioritise applicants who can commit to the entire program including retreats, online classes and readings. Attendance at our hikes and grand tour is optional but highly encouraged.
The retreats will be held at the Quality Inn Carriage House located in Wagga Wagga, approximately half-way between Sydney and Melbourne. Retreats will consist of lessons, interactive activities, reflections and dhikr in nature settings, ample time to bond with the teachers and other participants, and more.
You may arrive anytime on Friday evening. Our goal with Friday is to feed you dinner, perhaps a light social activity, and allow you to rest well before our classes the next morning. Rest assured, we will reserve dinner for those who arrive extra late.
We will support carpooling arrangements between participants and organisers as best as we can. For sisters who follow fiqh rulings which prevent them from travelling without a mahram, we can offer shared transport to take you to and from the venue, and assign you under the care of a responsible female at all times, in line with advice from Shaykh Abdul Hadi-Shah Idil. If you have alternative requirements/suggestions, we will try our best to accommodate you.
Our default accommodation option is to arrange rooms of 3-4 participants of the same gender. We can review requests for couples/families, with priority given to families with babies/elderly, but can make no guarantees.
We have financial aid for participants who cannot afford the full fee. If you are applying for financial aid, you will be asked to enter more details in the application form. We will also try our best to present you with payment plans and options which accommodate your unique circumstance.
We will strive to ensure that all details for the grand tour are released by September or earlier. Please note the tentative dates for now, and visit our socials or the gallery section below for an idea of what took place last year.
Gallery
Testimonials
The Sirat program is a unique experience. Living up to its name 'Sirat', the program does a great job educating you on how to stay on the right path. Each teacher beautifully addresses something different yet relevant to the program's theme. I learned about all the modern world views and ideologies throughout history until today and how the Islamic perspective stands above. I also learned about practical frameworks and methods to work firstly on myself, society and the ummah to work towards bringing meaningful change to the world.
“We found you lost and guided you.” This verse feels deeply personal to me. Humans may fail to keep their promises, but Allah never does. Siraat felt like Allah’s promise unfolding in my life. A dua I made for years brought to life. I was lost, unsure of my path and direction, feeling completely alone. Finding Siraat was nothing short of a miracle. The teachers, the peers, and the entire experience felt like a divine blessing. I truly believe that when intentions are pure and one sincerely seeks truth and knowledge, guidance finds its way to you, In sha Allah. Just like how Siraat found it's way to me ❤️✨️
The sirat retreat was truly transformational for me internally, aligning my perspectives with the Islamic worldview. A program like sirat should be mandatory for any Muslim navigating life in the western world.
Apply Now!
It’s time to embark on the journey of a lifetime. A journey that will transform, reshape, and enlighten. Ready to step on the path? Your Al-Sirat journey is just an application away.