DHAHRAN: After the Taraweeh prayer rush and the light drizzle leading into the green-lit building, a serene circle awaited those interested in finding pockets of light in the middle of the dark and damp night.
That is where King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, hosted a discussion led by Mohammed Al-Saawi, imam of the Ithra Mosque.
As part of a soft push to form meaningful dialogue merging science, knowledge, religion and culture during the holy month, Al-Saawi talked about finding ways to balance generosity without being wasteful, whether it be in food during iftar, or even in one’s lifestyle and social interactions.
A father of four, Al-Saawi provided examples amplified on platforms such as TikTok, while sharing wisdom from everyday life plucked from the pages of the Qur’an and the Hadith, to provide context.
He also talked about a relatable topic that seemed to resonate with all attendees: how to help revive passion if you feel like you are losing it, whether it be in a boring routine at work, a seemingly stagnant home life, or just losing focus on a goal in general.
Since we were seated in a circle, he took the time to go around one by one and have each person share their comments, without making anyone feel overwhelmed or put on the spot.
The talk was inspired by themes explored in one of Ithra’s current exhibitions, “Searching for Light,” by world-renowned photographer Peter Sanders. The major retrospective opened in January and consists of about 100 framed photographs taken over decades.
Spread across five zones only a short walk from the Plaza, the exhibition forms a journey across the Muslim world, from the sacred cities of Makkah, Madinah and Jerusalem to the remote deserts — showcasing photographs of the people and places shaped by Islam, and captured through the lens of Sanders, who shot portraits of music icons in the 1960s, such as the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.
Al-Saawi found relatable anecdotes that illustrated his teachings in a way that did not seem preachy or dull.
“If you gained one kernel of knowledge tonight, then you have advanced. It is considered a success,” Al-Saawi told Arab News.
On the night of March 26, Al-Saawi will again provide opportunity for fruitful discussion on the theme of “Thankfulness: Giving Back and Celebrating Life.”
That talk will also be held at the Plaza and will not require a ticket or reservation. Participants will, as in the earlier iteration, be encouraged to join the conversation. All talks are designed for those 13 years and older, and are conducted in Arabic.