We are excited to announce Ma’rifa 2023: Seeking Sanctuary. Join us on March 3-5 in Chicago to pause and reflect on resilience and authenticity within an ever-moving, ever-producing world. How can seeking—and creating—moments and spaces of sanctuary for ourselves and our communities make us more intentional in our journey towards God and fulfillment?
The theme is inspired by the following Quran verse:
“Say: I seek sanctuary in the Lord of the Dawn.” [113:1]
We pray that Ma’rifa 2023 will lead us all to cultivate our hearts, homes, and community spaces to be Divine Sanctuaries.
Who? Shi'a individuals between 18 - 25 years old
When? March 3rd - 5th 2023
Where? Ida Noyes Hall at the University of Chicago
Have a question about attending Ma’rifa 2023? We encourage all those interested in attending the conference to take a look at some helpful FAQs! Please feel free to reach out by DM on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @marifaprograms or by email at info@marifaprograms.com with any additional questions.
The great thing about Ma’rifa is being able to find and build a community through knowledge. Every year through Ma’rifa I’m able to learn so much about my identity as a Shia Muslim not only from the lectures but also from the students there as well. It's always an experience that I look forward to every year!
Attendee ~ Ma'rifa 2020 - Present
As an advisor in the Seekers & Scholars program, I had the pleasure of virtually meeting many fellow students in the Ma’rifa community throughout 2020 and 2021. Attending the 2022 conference provided me the incredible opportunity to make new Shi’a friends! Overall, due to the inspiring scholars and peers in attendance, Ma’rifa 2022: Heart & Revival was the perfect way to spiritually recharge before the month of Ramadan.
Attendee, Seekers and Scholars Advisor ~ Ma'rifa 2020 - Present
From the poetry performances on opening night to the interactive workshops that we rotated through during the day (“Islamic Ethics and Aesthetics” and “Abolition and Hope” to name a few), Ma’rifa encouraged me to engage with new people and ideas. To get the most out of Ma’rifa, I would suggest being prepared to meet and approach tons of new people, and ask for clarification from speakers to initiate more fruitful discussions and understandings.
Attendee ~ Ma'rifa 2022 - Present
Ma'rifa’s annual conference serves as an anchor for North American Shia creatives and academics on the collegiate and graduate level. They strive to create an environment that stimulates spiritual growth with their wide selection of workshops and selected speakers that bridge the gap between the community at large and students living in a secular world that gives us knowledge but leaves us yearning for divine wisdom. This will be my fourth year attending the conference and I've made connections that will last a lifetime!
Attendee ~ Ma'rifa 2020 - Present
Marifa was one of the most memorable and impactful parts of my development as a Shia student and young professional. I was able to unpack my faith and deconstruct the hurdles that I face as a practicing Shia in the contemporary context. I have been able to push myself to question my passions and interests and how they can intersect with my religion. I was also able to share some of my own personal photography and poetry, which made me feel like a bigger part of it.
Attendee ~ Ma'rifa 2020 - Present
The great thing about Ma’rifa is being able to find and build a community through knowledge. Every year through Ma’rifa I’m able to learn so much about my identity as a Shia Muslim not only from the lectures but also from the students there as well. It's always an experience that I look forward to every year!
Attendee ~ Ma'rifa 2020 - Present
As an advisor in the Seekers & Scholars program, I had the pleasure of virtually meeting many fellow students in the Ma’rifa community throughout 2020 and 2021. Attending the 2022 conference provided me the incredible opportunity to make new Shi’a friends! Overall, due to the inspiring scholars and peers in attendance, Ma’rifa 2022: Heart & Revival was the perfect way to spiritually recharge before the month of Ramadan.
Attendee, Seekers and Scholars Advisor ~ Ma'rifa 2020 - Present
From the poetry performances on opening night to the interactive workshops that we rotated through during the day (“Islamic Ethics and Aesthetics” and “Abolition and Hope” to name a few), Ma’rifa encouraged me to engage with new people and ideas. To get the most out of Ma’rifa, I would suggest being prepared to meet and approach tons of new people, and ask for clarification from speakers to initiate more fruitful discussions and understandings.
Attendee ~ Ma'rifa 2022 - Present
Ma'rifa’s annual conference serves as an anchor for North American Shia creatives and academics on the collegiate and graduate level. They strive to create an environment that stimulates spiritual growth with their wide selection of workshops and selected speakers that bridge the gap between the community at large and students living in a secular world that gives us knowledge but leaves us yearning for divine wisdom. This will be my fourth year attending the conference and I've made connections that will last a lifetime!
Attendee ~ Ma'rifa 2020 - Present
Marifa was one of the most memorable and impactful parts of my development as a Shia student and young professional. I was able to unpack my faith and deconstruct the hurdles that I face as a practicing Shia in the contemporary context. I have been able to push myself to question my passions and interests and how they can intersect with my religion. I was also able to share some of my own personal photography and poetry, which made me feel like a bigger part of it.
Attendee ~ Ma'rifa 2020 - Present
The great thing about Ma’rifa is being able to find and build a community through knowledge. Every year through Ma’rifa I’m able to learn so much about my identity as a Shia Muslim not only from the lectures but also from the students there as well. It's always an experience that I look forward to every year!
Attendee ~ Ma'rifa 2020 - Present
At Ma’rifa, we are constantly developing new projects, services, and content dedicated to Shi’i youth. We are student-led and volunteer-run; all our funds are used to serve the Shi’i student community through inclusive and accessible programming. We are asking you to contribute to the Ma’rifa movement. By donating to Ma’rifa, you will be investing directly in the future of the Shi’a community. Help us build a world where Shi’i students approach their personal and professional growth through Islamic frameworks, where the Shi’a community organizes together, where religion is not a concept but an activated lens to approach all issues. Please consider this as doing your part in enriching the Shi’i student journey in North America.
Please donate by clicking the button below. All donations are tax-deductible.