Islamic Beats – Playing the Daff

• learn the beginning skills of holding and hitting the daff, an instrument recognized as halal by all four schools of Islamic thought
• Step by step instruction on the first beats learned in this art
• Each student will be provided with a daff to use during the session

Detailed Workshop Breakdown

1. Brief presentation on daff and its uses
2. Methods and techniques of holding instrument
3. The first beats: dum, tak
4. The next beat: rasha
5. The silent beat: iss
6. Putting it together: dum, dum, tak
7. Various combinations with dum and tak
8. Student practice with immediate feedback
9. Exploring more challenging beats and next steps

All students in the daff workshop will be provided with a daff for in-class use only. Those looking to purchase a daff will be guided accordingly.

Teacher’s Bio: Ustadh Yusuf Issa

Ustadh Yusuf Issa is a daff master trained from a young age by grandmasters in Amman, Jordan. Honing his skills over the years in the nuances of the instrument, and using his fluency in English and Arabic, he teaches students around the globe of all ages – from beginners to advanced players- the increasingly sophisticated beats of the art. He has performed recreationally and professionally at celebrations in the UK, Canada, and Jordan.

Calling the Believers – An Ijaza in the Adhan of Bilal

• An opportunity to recite the adhan and iqama to an authorised teacher who holds an ijaza in both
• A chance for students to connect to a sacred and time honoured tradition
• Optional: a beautifully designed sanad ijaza certificate designed by an expert calligrapher, with your name added to the illustrious chain is available at an additional charge

Detailed Workshop Breakdown

1. Brief Presentation on history, criteria and etiquette
2. Students perform adhan and receive immediate feedback and guidance
3. Those who complete requirements accurately receive a verbal ijaza
4. Those who opt for the ijaza certificate at an additional cost will be provided with a stamped and signed, full page colour certificate-grade poster, designed by a master calligrapher, with the student’s name added to the full sanad (chain) of righteous men back to the sahaba. 
5. Those who do not meet the requirements after guidance will be given an opportunity to practice and meet again online at a later date for a second attempt.

Students who sign up for the adhan ijaza workshop will be given videos with instructions to listen and practice days before the workshop to assist preparedness.

Teacher’s Bio: Sheikh Mohammad Adel

Sheikh Mohammad Adel is the official mu’adhin (muezzin) and assistant Imam of Masjid al-Bushra, Amman Jordan. He is also the lead singer for the weekly gatherings of dhikr and mawlids in religious circles in Amman, Jordan.

He received his sanad ijaza in the Adhan from Sheikh Muhammad Irshaid (in Amman, Jordan) who authorized him to recite and give ijaza in the recitation of the Adhan according to the Shafi’i madhab.

Mohammad ‘Adel tours internationally and has authorized students in the correct recitation of the adhan during his  travels to the UK, Australia, India, and Egypt. He has also performed in Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Syria. With his brother, Abdullah Adel, he has produced two albums: Experiences of Lovers, and The Mantle of Praise.

Infusing the Canvas with Soul: Islamic Calligraphy

• Students will connect themselves to the hallowed tradition of Islamic Calligraphy by learning from a Grandmaster
• Introduction to the art: techniques of the letters, words, sentences and eventually creating their own pieces
• Receive instant feedback on their work
• Three writing styles to begin: diwani, naskh and thuluth
• Classical tools of writing that will be provided for the workshop

Detailed Workshop Breakdown

1. Brief presentation on history of calligraphy and it’s importance in Islamic civilization and modern impact
2. Introduction to three styles: diwani, naskh, and thuluth
3. Which style is the common Quranic script? Examples
4. Holding the calligraphy pen
5. Aligning the calligraphy paper
6. Correct lines
7. Correct form
8. Writing letters 
9. Connecting letters
10. Writing words
11. Student practice with immediate feedback
12. Exploring challenging creations and next steps

Each student in the workshop will be provided with a calligraphy pen for in-class use only. Those wishing to purchase a pen will be guided accordingly.

Teacher’s Bio: Ustadh Mothanna Al-Obaidi

The renowned art of Islamic Calligraphy, spanning centuries and nations through grandmasters, produces exquisite pieces that infuse the soul of the Arabic language onto breathtaking canvases. 

These masters, connected to a hallowed chain of instructors, spend thousands of hours honing their craft. Ustadh Mothanna Al-Obaidi, a virtuoso in the profession, has created masterpieces that are celebrated and showcased from East to West. 

Imparting his craft to students worldwide, he has produced hundreds of students of exceptional skills, experts in their own right, whose creations have been showcased at exhibitions in the UK, Iraq, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and more.