Last year was my first time attending the Black Muslim Family Retreat, and I went in not fully knowing what to expect. There was something really special about being in a space with other Black Muslims—families, children, just… community. The connection, the conversations, even just sharing space together—it felt different.
So when I heard it’s happening again this July in New Mexico, at a Muslim-owned retreat center, Dar Al Islam, I grew more excited.
This year, the retreat returns—and with it, another opportunity to step into something that is both deeply personal and powerfully communal. The Black Muslim Family Retreat is not just another event on the calendar. It’s a space you step into—and feel. It is an intentionally curated space, so deeply nurturing for Black Muslim individuals and families, and a hidden gem. —one of those experiences that, once you find it, you immediately think: more people need to know about this!
From the moment you arrive, there’s a noticeable shift. The slowing of pace. The welcoming smiles and warm embrace. The energy softens. And you begin to realize that this gathering is built on something deeper than programming—it’s built on intention.
Families are present in a real way. Husbands, wives, and children are not just attending side by side, but engaging together—learning, participating, growing.
The organizers, members of the AHAD collective, are not distant facilitators. They are embedded in the experience—teaching youth, leading sessions, guiding conversations, and holding space with care.
There’s an intimacy that makes everything feel closer, more connected, more human. And in a space that centers Black Muslim life, that intimacy carries meaning. It creates a sense of familiarity and belonging that can’t easily be replicated.
Even the parts that might feel “different” at first become part of the beauty.
I’ll admit—I’m not a camper. But I found myself staying in cabins with bunk beds (something I hadn’t done in years), and walking along dimly lit paths at night with others, laughing as we made our way back. Meals were shared in a communal dining space, where conversations flowed easily.
And in those unscheduled moments—back in the cabins, sitting with sisters I had just met—something shifted.
We talked about the sessions.
We talked about life.
We talked about faith.
We talked about connections we had.
And somehow, in a short amount of time, those unfamiliar faces became people I felt connected to.
That’s the part you can’t plan.
But it’s exactly what makes the experience so meaningful.
This year, the retreat returns for its fourth gathering under the theme:
“The Maroon Way: Rooted | Free | Thriving.”
It’s a powerful theme—one that calls us to remember the legacy of resilience, self-determination, and community-building that has long been part of our story.
It invites us to reflect not only on where we come from, but on how we live, grow, and support one another today.
At MANA, our work is grounded in strengthening the Black Muslim community, which is why we deeply value spaces like this.
We are aligned with the vision and mission of the AHAD collective to create environments that nurture healing, connection, and growth, and we continue to uplift this work as part of our shared commitment to community.
This year’s retreat will take place:
July 15–19, 2026
Dar al-Islam Retreat Center, Abiquiu, New Mexico
Dar Al Islam Retreat Center
Set against a breathtaking natural landscape, it offers a rare opportunity to step away from the noise of everyday life and reconnect—with faith, with community, and with yourself.
If you’ve been looking for a space that feels intentional…
If you’ve been longing for deeper connection…
If you want to experience something that goes beyond attending and into belonging—
I encourage you to consider being there.
Because this is more than a retreat.
It’s a remembering.
To learn more and register, visit:
www.BlackMuslimFamilyRetreat.com
I hope to see you there, insha’Allah.
Akanke is a native of Atlanta who now resides in Dayton, Ohio. She reverted to Islam in 1994 and is passionate about Islam and Islamic spirituality. Akanke is a graduate of Georgia State University, where she earned a degree in Communication, with a focus on film, TV, and cultural anthropology. Her career is diverse, and her interests span various creative forms of expression. From producing TV and radio shows to creating documentaries, writing, graphic design, and life coaching, she strives to make a lasting and authentic impact wherever she goes. Akanke has been a dedicated supporter of MANA since 2007, currently serving as the organization’s Board Vice President. In this role, she plays a key part in working with the Board President and Secretary to shape the organization’s trajectory. Additionally, she serves as MANA’s part-time Communications Director.
