Cohort

Programs
Service is the foundation of a thriving community. Link's Cohort program provides the experiences, community, and knowledge to build up effective community servants for the Bay Area Muslim community.

The Brief

The Link Cohort program is a unique opportunity to join a welcoming group of Bay Area Muslims.

You will build social, spiritual and organizational skills to serve the local Muslim community. You will engage in group discussions with scholars & fellow cohort members, plan & attend fellowship events, and read spiritually & intellectually engaging material.

We believe championing change and serving the Muslim community is a responsibility of every single individual. By the end of the  program, you will be empowered and informed to take initiative within the community.

In person events will be primarily held in our focus cities: Santa Clara, Union City and Oakland. We will also plan other events around the Bay Area.

Space is limited, so we encourage interested individuals in the Bay Area to apply soon!

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Testimonial:

"As someone who's been involved as a volunteer in the community and non-profits for years, I found the cohort program brought me that missing element of having the companionship of like-minded individuals, all seeking to grow together in one place, while we all know we'll go out in the world and do our own things. Everyone in the cohort valued Islam and had a mindset of giving back. 

The program orients you to your true purpose and keeps you on track with putting Islamic knowledge first (whether you've learned it before or need the reminder). However, the element of learning with others and bonding over time (in an islamically appropriate way: primarily sisters with sisters for example, but still having group interaction and conversation) was indispensable and so beneficial for me. I've come out of the program feeling like I have a community that challenges me to be better- just by seeing their example (more than just the sense of belonging I feel at the masjid or with other Muslims). Everyone in my cohort community has the same values of things being bigger than just ourselves- it's about Allah, and serving Allah in our own individual ways. We learn as a group, and we learn from each other."

- HK, Cohort Participant, 2020-2022

 

 

 

The Details

Our program runs through 3 levels and starts with a ten-week intensive for ten cohort members from across the Bay Area looking to be of greater service to their communities. Our program aims to provide each member with:

  • Lessons on critical Islamic sciences from qualified scholars
  • Readings, discussions, and field trips to deepen your engagement with Islamic and local history
  • Practical skills in event management, and building a sustainable service project
  • Building relationships with other like-minded community servants and Islamic scholars

The three levels of the program are: 

  • Level 1 (10 weeks)
    • Faith Foundations: A lecture and group discussion series on the tenets of Islamic creed
    • Fellowship activities: A group hike and a Fajr & Breakfast gathering with Cohorts’ members and their families
  • Level 2 (10 weeks)
    • Leaders in Service: A lecture and group discussion series on examples of leadership and service in the Islamic tradition
    • Fellowship activities: A Fajr & Breakfast gathering with Cohorts’ members and their families
    • Oakland Museum Tour: An opportunity to deepen our engagement with local Bay Area history
    • Community Event: Plan, organize, and run your own community event
  • Level 3 (20 weeks)
    • Faith in Action:  A lecture and group discussion series on principles for action and service in Islam
    • Fellowship activities: A group hike and a Fajr & Breakfast gathering with Cohorts’ members and their families
    • Service Project: a personal project in which you will identify a communal need and work to create a sustainable solution to address it

In person events will be primarily held in our focus cities: Santa Clara, Union City and Oakland. We will also plan other events around the Bay Area.

Who is this cohort program for?

Anyone looking to be of service, develop their skillsets and expand their network to better serve the Bay Area Muslim community

Fall 2023 Schedule

Time

Date

Event

10 am - 2 pm

Sep 9

Kick off

7:45 - 8:45 pm

Sep 14

Faith Foundations (virtual)

7:30 - 8:30 pm

Sep 21

Faith Foundations (virtual)

7:30 - 8:30 pm

Sep 28

Faith Foundations (virtual)

7:30 - 8:30 pm

Oct 5

Faith Foundations (virtual)

11 am - 1:30 pm

Oct 7

Hike

7 - 8 pm

Oct 12

Faith Foundations (virtual)

6:45 - 7:45 pm

Oct 19

Faith Foundations (virtual)

Fajr - 9 am

Oct 21

Fajr & Breakfast

6:45 - 7:45 pm

Oct 26

Faith Foundations (virtual)

6:30 - 7:30 pm

Nov 2

Faith Foundations (virtual)

6:30 - 7:30 pm

Nov 16

Book Discussion Pt. 1

Noon - 3 pm Nov 18 Closing

The Instructor

Faith Foundations will be led by Ibrahim Qureshi. He graduated with a BA in Islamic Law and Theology in 2019 and an MA in Islamic Theology and Philosophy in 2021 from Zaytuna College. Under the tutelage of scholars in Jordan, he is studying Hanafi fiqh, theology, and Islamic spirituality. He also is working on translating and publishing works in these fields.
 

Apply Here

Click on the link below to apply to the 2023 Cohort program!