Over the next few months, a series of engaging challenges will promote health, creativity, sustainability, and community connection as we count down to the GE Festival in Dubai in July 2025.
The theme of the first challenge is Care and Gratitude. Practising gratitude is an integral part of our faith; expressing shukr is a way of being aware of, and thankful for, Allah’s gifts. Practising gratitude daily, including through care for one another and the earth is an act of faith, helping us to be more humble and mindful of Allah’s grace and favour in our lives
Expressing gratitude can also have other effects, from improving mental health to boosting our relationships with others. Writing in a gratitude journal as you wind down before bed can lead to better sleep, and people who practise gratitude tend to feel more joyful and positive.
Practising gratitude can take many forms, for example being grateful for the sunrise, or thanking someone for holding the door open for you. The aim is to appreciate the moments in our day that bring us joy. These are often called the “little things” but over time, the little things can add up to big moments of appreciation.
Some people find it useful to keep a gratitude journal. This can be in your favourite notebook, or on your smartphone. There is no right or wrong way to record moments of gratitude - some people may like to write specific sentences about events in their day, others may prefer to draw pictures or even emojis! The objective is to remember and appreciate the blessings in our lives. It may be helpful to carry a small notebook to record moments as soon as they happen, or to set aside a regular time each day to write in a gratitude journal.
The second aspect to this challenge is the Joy of Giving. Like practising gratitude, this can have immense benefits to mental health. Voluntary service is a longstanding value and tradition of our community, and something that Mawlana Hazar Imam places great emphasis on. Small acts of service can have a great effect; we can be generous with our time by sitting and listening to people or helping them out, we can be generous with our words, encouraging people or writing them a card or letter about how they positively impact us. Our time is often the greatest gift we can give to others; time as volunteers, or time with a loved one taking part in an activity of their choice.
We encourage the young and the young at heart to get involved, take part in the challenges, and make this an experience to remember. The GE Challenges start on 1 December - log on here to find out more and sign up. You can try the challenges for seven, 14 or 21 days - and perhaps they will become a part of your daily life! Let’s come together, support each other, and make a positive impact as we embark on this journey to the GE Festival.
