Sweden Mentor Training Weekend Blog: Day 1 Friday 22nd June 2007

Having arrived at Express by Holliday Inn in Northampton at approximately 8:15pm, I found myself being welcomed by many who were to be my close friends and peers through this journey of training to mentor and actually mentoring in Sweden. I was checked in to my room and found out that my room mate was to be Mohammed Iqbal Kassam, and his presence and experience of being involved in the aspect of mentoring in Sweden before gave me a highlight as to what was to be expected from myself and all those involved. I was given time to freshen up and joined the group, many of whom I had not known.

We were informed that dinner was to be served earlier but as a result of a delay, we would start the training with an ice breaker. One after another, these unique individuals with extra ordinary characteristics introduced themselves. And one after another I got even more confused. Learning each others names was simply the first method of breaking down the barriers that were present between us and the second was the introduction of an activity that required team work, creativity and patience. Patience was further required for the fact that Biryani had still not turned up, and it did so with the introduction of the last two mentors. After this activity, we all did our Wudhu and recited Namaaz together. The true sensation of being part of being in a Sweden Camp kicked in with the traditional Salawaat at the end of each Namaaz, and this bringing back memories. We later ate the delicious Biryani and then were addressed by Dr Mahmood Datoo who enlightened us on this journey that we had excitingly volunteered for.  At around 11pm, we were excused and informed that we may go rest and shall pray Fajr Namaaz together.  However, several of us opted to involve ourselves in further discussion regarding various issues and chose not to sleep. Whether this be the precedent for Sweden yet has to be seen.

Ali Asgher Rajani (Mentor)

 

Sweden Mentor Training Weekend Blog: Day 2 Saturday 23rd June 2007

Saturday morning for the group began at roughly 8.30 am; with many tired individuals waking up slowly and heading for a shower and then breakfast. I decided to make use of the coffee machine during breakfast, which served as the perfect antidote to the tiredness following our late night conversations, which had extended beyond Fajr time.

At just after ten o’clock, the first session began with a reminder about punctuality, and then Dr Mahmood Datoo (colloquially named “The Doctor”) gave a talk about the ethos behind the camp, building on his short talk from the previous night.

Ali Panju, our trainer for the weekend, arranged the talks and the speakers so that it was in the order of a typical camp day: each section was explained in terms of the concepts behind them (which I found incredibly useful) and also exactly how the event ran.

Subjects that were explained in this way included food provision, Salaat Assessments, outings / trips, Quran assessments, writing Camper and Mentor diaries and Planet Time. Previous mentors were offering advice on how they dealt with each session to add a “personal touch” to the campers’ development; some of which I intend to replicate & build on during the camp.

After lunch & namaaz more of these sessions ensued; and I particularly enjoyed the practical exercises that we did on Saturday as a group – from the Energisers and Icebreakers to an explanation on how to deal with a sports injury; and the subsequent form-filling.

Through each session and each break; we began to further learn about our fellow Mentors and Admin: which school or university (or job) they were in, what they liked and also their special talents: Ali Akber Uncle was able to use his Physiotherapy skills to help one mentor who had unfortunately hurt his neck whilst sleeping the night previously. The feeling of a community and a united team was beginning to develop.

Ali Panju conducted his “Three Ws”; allowing us to give our comments on (1) what went well, (2) what went badly, and (3) what could be done to make it better. The quality of the organisation and the quality of the speakers shone through when we could not find much to say about (2) or (3); leading the participants to ‘complain’ about the location of the pillar in the room!

We headed out to eat at the nearest Halal restaurant, using Satellite Navigation systems that decided to lead us in an orbital pattern around the restaurant; which caused much confusion. When we eventually entered the restaurant, there was much jovial conversation during dinner time, with many jokes and brain teasers told.

After Maghrib & Isha Namaaz, the day ended with a mock PDT session – there was a quiz led by The Doctor, as well as a debate on “This House believes that the criminal justice system should treat celebrities like everybody else”; with Ghalib Sheikh and Ali-Asgher Rajani proposing, with Abbisali Ebrahim and myself opposing. It must be said that the floor spoke more than the speakers combined – there were many suspect Points of Information and dubious Points of Order. Mohammed-Iqbal Kassam chaired the debate fairly and successfully, dealing with each ‘interruption’ calmly and moderating a debate that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. In the end, the “Abstentions” won, with only four votes cast for Proposition and Opposition in total.

At the end of a very fun and enjoyable day; many of us continued conversations through to Fajr time; with some remaining in the conference room, and others using the pool table. After Fajr, the entire group retired to their bedrooms for a well earnt sleep.

Sajjad Hassam (Mentor)


Sweden Mentor Training Weekend Blog: Day 3 Sunday 24th June 2007

After breakfast, we first had a talk by Ali Panju about how we should nurture our mentee and we learnt about how we must change from being unconsciously incompetent at something to being unconsciously competent in what we do which means we do something like mentoring without thinking. We also learnt, from a talk by Fazle Abbas Kanji the three levels of awareness in which the third level involves being aware of everything around you. After learning how to communicate and hold a conversation with a camper, Ashiq Damani visited and gave us many scenarios that we might have during our time in Sweden. From this, we learnt how to overcome any problems that we may encounter in the camp. I feel that our last day kept us busy, and we learnt, using role-plays how we may solve different problems in Sweden and how to excel at mentoring.

Abisali Ebrahim (Mentor)

Sweden 2007 - Mentor Diaries