Euro camp: photos and reflections!

Two weeks have already passed by since the NEMA camp, but I still sense the strong family spirit amongst our Muslim brothers and sisters who attended.  Gosh, I didn’t even attend and I’m feeling the powerful vibes all the way from Canada!

Read a couple of their experiences and see the group photos below.

Well, putting feelings into words is not an easy task but mainly, I met my new family at Istanbul – brothers, sisters and even children and my father and mother. 

 

This event was heartwarming.  Even though I am not European, I felt as if  I am because that what is great about Islam despite the fact that we are 60 participants from different countries all over the world we managed to meet and agree, have fun and make each other smile while getting educated about how to live as a good Muslim in the West and how to be positive active part of the society.

 

In less than a few hours after we met, we clicked directly because we have something in common – we are all Muslim. We start to act like if we knew each other for a million years taking care of each other. We started to know the story behind the story the face behind the face.

 

This camp which was fully organized by NEMA as one of the associations of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE).  I will not talk about the organization because it was so professional and was so organized, actually perfect could be the word to describe it. I would like to take this chance to thank the NEMA team.  I will not mention names because I am sure I will miss someone and I don’t want to miss any.

 

The saddest day was the last day when people start leaving. We did not want to leave I can assure you that. We created a bond and as a family. I will share with you some of my photos even though it will not describe how we felt.

~ Fadi Hasweh

I was so eager to go to Istanbul because I was lucky enough to attend the previous NEMA gathering at the Training Course in Birmingham in August 09 and I met this unique team! That is why I recommended to  all others to attend this camp.

 

Where to start? Dr. Jamal Badawi? He is a brilliant professor with a sparkling mind, a true believer and I was always amazed to listen to him. So humble, so low profile and so effective, ma sha Allah, may Allah grant him a place in heaven.

 

As for the Muslim brothers and sisters from all over the world, this was really exciting and funny. Of course the Greek team that was the largest and was very noisy and full of joy!

 

The camp was very well organized so we had everything in the right proportions. Time for lecture, time for eating, time for chatting at the huge lobby, time for networking, sightseeing, and above all time for SHOPPING! (just teasing, ok?) Ok I shopped a little only because in Greece you cannot find jilbabs and stuff. Istanbul is a beautiful city, you can sense the history, the legacy behind these magnificent mosques and palaces, and of course our soul connection as Greeks.

 

We had a great time, I wish we stayed more!!! Looking forward for the next NEMA gathering!

 

~Anna Stamou

Have an experience you want to share? Post it in the comments. 

Have NEMA photos you want to share?  Email them to me.

 

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