Many of us have grown up hearing, "Islam says..." but how often do we stop to ask whether something is truly rooted in our religion or simply shaped by the culture we were raised in?

From family expectations and marriage to friendships, identity, religion and culture often become intertwined. While culture is an important part of who we are and can beautifully complement our faith, it can also negatively impact our understanding of Islam in ways we may not even recognize.

So join us for Religion vs. Culture, a three-week interactive series happening every Sunday where we'll explore what Islam truly teaches through the Qur'an and Sunnah while examining the customs, expectations, and traditions we've inherited. Together, we'll tackle common misconceptions, ask honest questions, and learn how to approach these conversations with wisdom, compassion, and clarity.

Led by Ust. Omar Popal, Imam Hicham Hall, and Ust. Faatimah Knight, and Ust. Saad Omar, each week will feature a different speaker or combination of speakers as they discuss these hot button issues of intersect between religion and culture.

Designed for college students, young adults, and working professionals ages 18+, each evening will feature a thought-provoking talk on a distinct topic followed by guided discussion. Whether you're looking to strengthen your understanding of Islam, navigate difficult conversations with family and friends, or simply educate yourself, this series is for you.

Tickets are free but donations are greatly appreciated to help support future events! No topic is too taboo, no question is too off-limits! So come with your insights and inquiries and we look forward to seeing you there!

Schedule

Week 1 – Family Expectations w/ Ust. Omar Popal

How do we honor our parents while maintaining healthy boundaries? Where is the line between obedience and blind obedience? Together, we'll explore marriage expectations, family reputation, independence, and what Islam actually teaches about our responsibilities to family versus the expectations we sometimes inherit through culture.

Week 2 – Relationships w/ Imam Hicham Hall and Ust. Faatimah Knight

Friendships, marriage, gender interactions, communication, love, and divorce are all shaped by both faith and culture. This session will examine what healthy Islamic relationships look like, unpack common misconceptions, and distinguish cultural norms from the principles established by the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Week 3 – Identity w/ Ust. Saad Omar

Who are we when our identity is rooted first and foremost in Islam? In our final session, we'll discuss mental health, education, career choices, masculinity and femininity, modesty, and social media, exploring how to navigate today's world while remaining grounded in our faith.

Nothing is off bar for these conversations! So come with questions and insights and we look forward to seeing you there!

About The Speakers

About Ustadh Omar Popal

Ustadh Omar Popal was born and raised in Northern Virginia. He began studying the Islamic sciences at the age of 16 and his pursuit of knowledge led him to study at Madinatul Uloom in Virginia and Dar al-Qasim in Chicago where he graduated from. In a commitment to lifelong learning, he has continued his studies sitting at the feet of various scholars, most recently spending time in Istanbul for intensive studies. Ustadh Omar’s formative studies took place at Dar al-Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen. In 2018, he founded Tanwir Institute, with the mission of serving the educational and spiritual needs of the large Muslim population in the DC metropolitan area.

Imam Hicham Hall

Imam Hicham Hall was born in Tangier, Morocco to a convert Scottish-American father and Moroccan mother, and grew up in the DMV. He has served at the Islamic Society of Western Maryland, MAS DC, PEARLS, and ADAMS as youth mentor, community halaqa leader, khateeb, and Imam for nearly 10 years.

Imam Hicham began his private studies with local students of knowledge and Imams. He attended Zaytuna College followed by traditional studies overseas. Hicham graduated from George Mason with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Islamic Thought. Seeking additional traditional knowledge, he spent more time overseas studying with his teachers and continues to do so remotely. He is currently concluding his MA in Islamic Studies at Bayan and currently serves as the lead Imam at ADAMS Gainesville and head of the Sanctuary, ADAMS's department for new and newly practicing Muslims.

Ust. Faatimah Knight

Faatimah Knight holds a Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Law and Theology from Zaytuna College and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Chicago Theological Seminary. Her research interests include Islam and modernity, gender in the Islamic textual tradition, usul al-fiqh, metaphysics, and religion in public life. She is a research fellow at Yaqeen Institute and the Digital Editor for Renovatio, the Journal of Zaytuna College. She has an independent blog at faatimahknight.com

Ust. Saad Omar

Saad Omar graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in English and a masters in nonprofit management. He has studied Islam and Arabic in Mecca, Jordan, Turkey and across the United States and lectured widely across United States, Canada and Europe. He is a published songwriter and poet, teacher and entrepreneur. He is currently working on building a living community, nonprofit cafe and business incubator in Fairfax, VA.

Religion vs Culture

A 3-week series on Distinguishing What Islam Teaches from What We’ve Inherited