About this Program

This workshop is designed as a special opportunity for people who volunteer with communities suffering from trauma such as refugees. The workshop will be divided into two interconnected parts, moving from outward awareness to inward care. Dr. Zulqayda will begin by acknowledging the emotional weight volunteers are already carrying as witnesses to the suffering of others, and framing the workshop as an act of care, both for the refugees they serve, and for themselves. This workshop is offered for free for active volunteers as a recognition to their social contributions. Nevertheless, and due to limited seats, we require completing an application form. Accepted applicants will then receive an e-mail response with approval of admission including a code for free registration.   Workshop Outline Part 1: Understanding the People You Serve This section equips volunteers with accessible, up-to-date knowledge on refugee and displacement trauma, with specific attention to the Gazan context. Topics include the complexity of layered and ongoing trauma, how distress shows up in behavior and body language, and what meaningful, non-professional support actually looks like in practice. Volunteers will leave with a simple framework for offering safe presence, recognizing when someone needs professional help, and making that referral with care.   Part 2: Tending to Yourself as a Witness This section turns inward, addressing the emotional and spiritual toll of volunteer work. Drawing on both Islamic psychology and current research on compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma, we explore how concepts such as sabr and tawakkul offer active psychological tools, not just spiritual ideals as many may think. Participants will practice concrete self-regulation techniques rooted in Islamic tradition, and reflect on sustainable ways to nourish their hearts while continuing to serve.   Learning Outcomes By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: • Describe what makes refugee trauma uniquely complex, with specific relevance to the Gazan context • Recognize signs of trauma responses in the people they volunteer with • Apply a simple, practical framework for offering meaningful support as a non-professional • Identify when a refugee needs professional help and how to make that referral with sensitivity • Name the emotional risks volunteers face and recognize early warning signs in themselves • Use at least two self-regulation practices drawn from Islamic tradition to protect their wellbeing • Articulate why self-care is a religious obligation and identify one sustainable practice to carry forward.