Sakinah Retreats mission is to foster an essence of ‘Sakinah’—a tranquil state of the soul, a serene harmony that resonates within.
Our Story
Sakinah Retreats launched in January of 2024, its mission resonating with thousands of Muslim women around the world. We have since hosted over two thousand Muslim women and counting across our retreats and events in Australia and abroad, alhamdulillah. Our ethos is 'Find Your Peace,' inviting you to explore the path to tranquility through spiritual grounding, mindfulness, and immersion in the pristine beauty of nature. Our retreats curate an environment that encourages introspection, spiritual growth, and a reconnection with fitrah.
At Sakinah Retreats, we delve into the profound practice of Tafakkur, guiding you to reflect deeply on the magnificence of Allah, immersing ourselves in His names, His creation, blessings, and unparalleled greatness. This intentional time of introspection and surrender paves the path toward a profound spiritual journey, one where we find sakinah in these troubled times, a community of likeminded sisters and a rekindled connection with our Creator.
We started with retreats across New South Wales, including the Central Coast, Berry, the Southern Highlands and Hunter Valley, and have since journeyed across four continents, welcoming sisters on retreats throughout Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Spain, Turkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Indonesia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and beyond. Alongside our retreats, we continue to offer hikes, social events and gatherings closer to home in Sydney. We cannot wait to welcome you on this journey to sakinah.
Our Ethos
The Qur'anic term "Sakinah" appears six times across three chapters of the Quran. Renowned Muslim commentators and Quran translators often render "Sakinah" as "calmness and tranquility," derived from the root "Sakan." However, lexicographers suggest a deeper understanding, portraying "Sakinah" as the "divine, glorious presence and manifestation" experienced by believers in specific circumstances.
Sakinah Retreats is a reflection of this yearning, with a mission to foster and cultivate an essence of 'Sakinah'—a tranquil state of the soul, a serene harmony that resonates within. Our retreats are a sanctuary for those seeking to rediscover their inherent peace, reconnecting with their fitrah (natural disposition) in a transformative journey.
Our ethos revolves around the slogan 'Find Your Peace,' inviting participants to explore the path to tranquility through spiritual grounding, mindfulness, and immersion in the pristine beauty of nature. Our retreats curate an environment that encourages introspection, spiritual growth, and a reconnection with the essence of one's being. Our focus at Sakinah Retreats remains on the journey itself—the reawakening of the soul, the revitalisation of the spirit, and the establishment of oneness within oneself and with the Divine.
Our Founder
Ameena Hijazi founded Sakinah Retreats out of a deep love for bringing people together for the sake of Allah, a passion for storytelling and community building, and a desire to see Muslim women unlock their highest potential. With Egyptian and Lebanese Australian Muslim heritage, she brings her own diaspora experience to everything she creates.
Ameena is a lawyer and holds a Bachelor's in Law and a Bachelor's in Communications. She has worked in numerous social justice and human rights advocacy legal roles and is deeply committed to service and justice. Her academic journey took her abroad to the UK, where she lived in 2023, expanding her worldview and embracing a season of travel that profoundly changed her. From hiking volcanoes in Indonesia to exploring the Scottish Highlands, each adventure has deepened her love for the outdoors and her awe for Allah's creation.
It was this season of travel that planted the seed for Sakinah Retreats, born from her own experience of discovering how deeply movement, nature and distance from routine could open the heart. She hosts and curates every retreat and event personally, ensuring each experience is intentional, spiritually enriching, and held with Ihsan (excellence). When she's not working, you'll likely find her immersed in a book, at an art gallery or chasing her next adventure.
