ISLA Leadership Retreat

Navigating the Paradoxes of Leadership (+Pre-Retreat Workshop)

Pre-Retreat Workshop

December 4, 2025

School Visit @ 12 pm: Al-Fatih Academy at 12300 Pinecrest Rd, Reston, VA 20191

Workshop @ 2 pm: Forerunners at 1595 Spring Hill Rd Suite 104, Vienna, VA 22182

December 5 -7, 2025

Diyanet Center of America
Lanham, MD

Start: School Visit @ 9 am
Jummah @ Diyanet @ 12:20 pm Opening Session @ 2 pm
Ending on Sunday @ 12 pm

Early Bird Registration Ends November 7th!

About the Retreat

School leaders today are navigating unprecedented complexity. From increasing political pressures, rising parental expectations, and staffing shortages to rapidly shifting cultural norms and technological change, uncertainty is no longer the exception—it’s the new normal.

In this environment, leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about skillfully navigating tensions and paradoxes with wisdom, courage, and faith.

Join Islamic school leaders from across the country for a transformative retreat that addresses these challenges head-on. This year’s theme explores the real tensions leaders face through interactive workshops, reflective sessions, and scenario-based exercises.

What You'll Take Away

• A practical framework for balancing competing leadership demands

• Decision-making tools including reflection prompts and scenario-based exercises you can adapt to real challenges in your school

• Insights from peers and experts through case studies and facilitated discussions, plus strategies tested by other school leaders

• A reliable network of like-minded leaders that can be a support for you when you most need it

Four Paradoxes of Leadership

Throughout the retreat, we will explore and navigate these critical leadership tensions:

Decisiveness vs Deliberation

When should we act quickly, and when should we slow down to reflect and consult?

Accountability vs Empathy

How do we hold others accountable while maintaining compassion and care?

Urgency vs Patience

How do we balance the need for urgent action with the disciplined practice of patience (sabr)?

Leading vs Empowering

How do we discern when our leadership is most needed and when it’s time to step aside and empower others to grow?

Pre-Retreat Workshop

Thursday, December 4 | 12:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Al Fatih Academy (Reston, VA) & Forerunners (Vienna, VA)

How Islamic is My School?

There is a global conversation emerging about tajdid (renewal) of Islamic schools. This is not because our schools are failing or underperforming but the exact opposite – because our schools are growing and blossoming.

Start off the Pre-Conference Workshop at Al-Fatih Academy, a premier Islamic school that has led the way in Islamic integration and innovative curricular practices. Then, participate in the workshop that draws from the Cambridge Dialogues Toolkit (2025) entitled: “How Islamic Is My School?”

Participants will engage in deep discussions about big questions about purpose and practice that define the ‘Islamic’ in our schools. The workshop is intended for educational leaders in Islamic schools that are passionate and committed to renewal.

Flight/Travel Tips: IAD airport is closest to Al Fatih Academy. Transport from airport to Al Fatih not included. Thursday night lodging must be purchased as an add-on, if needed.

Pre-Retreat Schedule

Time	Activity	Location
11:30 - 11:50 AM	Arrival	Al Fatih Academy
12:00 - 1:30 PM	Refreshments, Tour & Talk, Dhur	Al Fatih Academy
1:40 - 2:00 PM	Travel to Forerunners (Transportation provided)	-
2:15 - 2:30 PM	Welcome and Introductions	Forerunners
2:30 - 3:30 PM	Why Tajdid: Establishing Intentions and Taking Stock	Forerunners
3:30 - 3:45 PM	Asr	Forerunners
3:45 - 4:45 PM	Islamic Worldview, Islamic Pedagogy and Islamic Integration	Forerunners
4:45 - 5:45 PM	Maghrib & Dinner	Forerunners
5:45 - 6:45 PM	Case Studies of Renewal in Islamic Education	Forerunners
6:45 - 7:30 PM	Action Planning: Using the Toolkit to Lead Renewal	Forerunners
7:30 - 8:30 PM	Travel back to Diyanet (Transportation provided)	-