The Hajj (pilgrimage) experience; personal testimonies
Open Discussions
in association with the
Gulf Cultural Club
invites you to a discussion:
The Hajj (pilgrimage) experience; personal testimonies
Speakers
*Haider Al-Shamary (Strategic Healthcare Innovator)
** Julia Katarina (Founder of Unity Music, author, scholar)
*** Dr Jalal Fairooz (Ex-MP Bahrain, academic)
For the pilgrims who make their way to Mecca every year, Haj is a personal spiritual experience shared with millions of people. It represents submission to Allah, fostering spiritual renewal, unity and personal growth. This sacred journey transforms lives and serves as a reminder of the enduring values that Islam teaches. It is one of the of the world’s largest gatherings with over 1.83 million pilgrims in 2024. This year between two to three million people are expected to attend. Three pilgrims will share their experiences of the sacred journey as well as shedding light on the concept of the Haj.
Time: 6.30 pm, Date: Monday 2nd June 2025
Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP
Dinner will be served at 8 pm
You can also participate on Zoom using this link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85680888416?pwd=THBPWHhCRkxEeWtMQWlJVHBycExOUT09
Meeting ID: 856 8088 8416 Password: 000000
Or on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Abrarhousevideo
Please register for catering purposes
email: d05sa@yahoo.co.uk or text 07795 660 438
*Haider Al-Shamary is a British-Iraqi strategic health consultant, digital health entrepreneur, and mentor in prophetic self-development whose work spans some of the most complex health ecosystems in the UK and the Middle East. With over 17 years of experience across NHS systems, private ventures, and international public health initiatives, Haider blends deep clinical insight with cutting-edge behavioural science—anchored in the timeless teachings of Prophet Muhammad and Ahlulbayt. Educated at King’s College London and clinically trained at Guy’s and St. Thomas’, Hospitals Haider began his career as a pharmacist before rising to lead transformation across a £1bn+ NHS health economy.
**Julia Katarina (aka Aaisha Zahra Karima) MSc MA is a classically trained mezzo-soprano and multi-instrumentalist who taught at music schools in Palestine from 2008-12, where she embraced Islam in Masjid al-Aqsa in Spring 2009. She completed her MSc in the Psychology of Music at Roehampton University in 2014, founded UnityMusic in 2016, working with refugee and diaspora communities internationally. She completed her MA in Islamic Law in 2022, researching music and singing in Islamic Jurisprudence. Julia now studies at an Islamic seminary and is completing a book on Abdullah Ansari’s Manazil and working on an autobiographical book on the spiritual path.
Dr Jalal Fairooz is a former member of parliament in Bahrain. He has a PhD in Islamic thought from the International University of Islamic Sciences in London and has lectured in Islamic Studies and Humanities & Social Sciences at various universities and institutes. He is the Chairman of the Middle East Strategic & Consultative Centre and a member of various institutions. Jalal is also the author of several books, including “The Quranic Theory of Crisis Management”, “The Engineering Disciplines and Roads to it”, “The Biography of Husseiniyas”, “and “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People in the Light of Islam.”