ISLA Leadership Retreat: Dec 4-6, 2026
Diyanet Center of America, Lanham, MD

Schedule Overview

Friday, Dec 4
10:30 am - Optional School Visit - Lunch offered for school visitors
12:30 pm Jummah at Diyanet 
1:45 - 3:00 pm - Registration and check-in for onsite lodging
3:30 pm - Program activities

Saturday, Dec 5
8:00 am - 9:00 pm - Program activities

Sunday, Dec 6
8:00 am - 1:00 pm - Program activities
1:00 pm - Retreat concludes, departure

ISLA Retreat 2026: The Heart of a Leader

Theme and Retreat Description

Join us this year for a dynamic 2.5 day retreat designed exclusively for Islamic school leaders. This year's theme is focused on "The Heart of a Leader" and features Kareem Elsayed as a keynote speaker and facilitator. 

This immersive experience will provide education, inspiration, resources, and a professional reset to allow you to re-join your school community for the second semester with a new mindset grounded in practice, an Islamic worldview, and with a cohort of peers from across North America as your new support system. 

Throughout the retreat, attendees will engage in deep, thought-provoking dialogues with fellow school leaders, sharing lived experiences, strategies and best practices from our community of Islamic schools. Expert facilitators will guide participants through hands-on exercises that challenge conventional thinking and foster creative problem-solving. Additionally, curated well-being activities will help leaders develop the emotional intelligence necessary to thrive under pressure.

By the end of the retreat, participants will leave with a renewed sense of purpose, a network of like-minded peers, and a personalized action plan for implementing transformational leadership strategies in their schools. More than just a professional development event, this retreat is a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and refine one’s leadership approach in an inspiring and supportive setting. Whether you are a seasoned administrator or an emerging leader, this experience will empower you to lead with strength and vision.

Retreat Registration includes:

1. School Visit Friday morning (Includes Lunch)

2. Meals: Friday Dinner - Sunday Lunch

3. Workshops: Friday-Sunday

4. Retreat Programming & Activities

Diyanet Lodging

Lodging at the Diyanet Center is limited, only for ISLA Retreat registrants, and first come, first served.

Private and semi-private rooms are sold out. A limited number of beds remain in gender-separated, shared onsite housing, with rooms and bathrooms shared among attendees. Add one to your order when you register.

The Diyanet Center is a special place, and it strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood among attendees to lodge onsite. However, you are welcome to lodge at a nearby hotel should you wish, in which case, you will need your own transportation to/from the hotel to Diyanet Center.

Lodging is sold for Friday and Saturday night (December 4 and December 5). Checkout is on Sunday, December 6, after the retreat program concludes. If you need an additional night, email events@theisla.org with details. Nearby hotels are listed at theisla.org/retreat2026; please book directly.

All ISLA Retreat Purchases are Non-refundable, including registration & lodging.

Flying in? BWI is the closest airport. Other retreat questions can be emailed to Saira Sufi at events@theisla.org.