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Islamic Council

A professional development workshop for imams

Helping Couples Navigate Marriage

Thursday 26 November 2026
1st Floor Hall, London Muslim Centre, Whitechapel

Book your place See the programme
DateThursday 26 November 2026
Time9:00am to 4:30pm
VenueLondon Muslim Centre

When couples need guidance, they turn to their imam

This day honours that trust and builds on it. Essential professional development for imams and advisors: a practical, Islamically grounded framework for guiding couples with wisdom, holding clear boundaries, and knowing when to refer.

  • Clarity on your roleResponsible for the process, not the outcome, and clear on where it ends.
  • A framework to followA structured way to open, guide and close each conversation with a couple.
  • Listening that is feltTechniques that help both spouses feel heard, and the common traps to avoid.
  • Fair to both spousesPractical ways to stay neutral and manage bias when supporting both spouses.
  • Knowing when to referRecognising safeguarding and wellbeing concerns, and referring with confidence.
  • Care for yourselfProtecting your own emotional and spiritual wellbeing as you support others.

Grounded in the Sunnah and the principles of the Shari'ah

إِن يُرِيدَآ إِصْلَٰحًۭا يُوَفِّقِ ٱللَّهُ بَيْنَهُمَآ

“If they both desire reconciliation, Allah will bring about harmony between them.”

Surah an-Nisa, 4:35

The Qur'an describes arbiters from both families whose aim is reconciliation. This day is about fulfilling that role with skill: practical, structured and faithful to the Prophetic way ﷺ.

One day, four sessions

A structured journey from mindset to practice, with a real-world scenario in every session.

  1. Session 1Awareness The imam's role: from fixer to facilitator Core principles of facilitation, active listening, and framing each conversation well from the start. Led by Shaykh Farid Haibatan
  2. Session 2Discipline Ethics, boundaries and staying neutral Your responsibilities, staying even-handed between spouses, and the red lines that call for referral. Led by Shaykh Farid Haibatan
  3. Session 3Diagnosis Recognising patterns, guiding conversations Common conflict patterns, deep listening, calming heated moments, and asking the right questions. Led by Ahmed Tomal
  4. Session 4Application Facilitation in practice, and stepping back A clear outline for every conversation, closing well, recognising your limits, and referring with care. Led by Shaykh Farid Haibatan

The day closes with shared reflections, personal commitments and du'a.

Practical from start to finish

Each session works through an anonymised scenario drawn from the situations imams meet. You'll practise the skills, not just hear about them.

  • The Hijab UltimatumOne spouse sets a condition the other won't accept. How do you guide them both without ruling on it?Session 1
  • The WhatsApp SessionsSupport starts to spill into late-night messages. How do you keep it fair, boundaried and sustainable?Session 2
  • The Repeated ArgumentEvery meeting returns to the same dispute. How do you spot the pattern and move the conversation on?Session 3
  • The Forever CaseA case that never seems to close. How do you recognise your limits and refer with care and confidence?Session 4

Who it's for

  • ImamsLeading and serving in mosques and Islamic centres across the UK.
  • Islamic scholarsIncluding members of the British Board of Scholars and Imams.
  • Community advisorsWho regularly support couples and families within the community.

Good to know. This is a men-only professional development day for those already in an advisory role. It isn't counselling or therapy training, a legal qualification, or guidance for couples themselves.

Your trainers

Shaykh Farid Haibatan

Shaykh Farid Haibatan

Lead trainer

Shaykh Farid studied Arabic and the Islamic sciences at the Islamic University of Madinah, having first graduated in Electronic Systems Engineering from the University of Essex. He has long taught Arabic and Islamic Studies, and his English translations of classical works include Fortification of the Muslim (Hisn al-Muslim), now a household name within the Muslim community. He serves as an Islamic Studies lecturer and Head of Development.

Ahmed Tomal

Ahmed Tomal

Supporting facilitator

Ahmed is a BACP counsellor and psychotherapist with an MSc in Psychology, and the founder of Tawfiq Therapy, an East London practice supporting Muslim individuals and couples in a culturally and religiously sensitive way. He brings that front-line experience to imams: how conflicts follow recognisable patterns, how to keep difficult conversations constructive, and how to recognise when a couple needs specialist support.

Book your place

Places are limited to 50, and bookings close on Monday 16 November 2026.

£49

per person

The full day, refreshments throughout, and your workshop materials.

Book your place

A member of BBSI, the East London Mosque imam network or MRDF? Enter your organisation's code at checkout.

Unable to cover the cost? A limited number of funded places are available. Apply for a funded place

On the day

WhenThursday 26 November 2026
9:00am to 4:30pm
WhereLondon Muslim Centre
92 Whitechapel Road, E1 1JQ
Food and drinkRefreshments all day
Lunch isn't provided

There are plenty of places to eat on Whitechapel Road. Open the venue in Maps

Questions

Who can attend?
This is a men-only workshop for imams, Islamic scholars and community advisors who already support couples or families in their role.
Is this counselling or therapy training?
No. It's professional development in the imam's facilitation role: guiding conversations with couples well, holding clear boundaries, and recognising when to refer to a specialist. It isn't a counselling, therapy or legal qualification.
I'm a member of a partner organisation. How do I book?
Members of BBSI, the East London Mosque imam network and MRDF receive a booking code from their organisation. Enter it at checkout and your member rate is applied.
How do funded places work?
A limited number of places are fully funded for imams who would otherwise be unable to attend. Complete the short application form; successful applicants receive a code to book at no cost. Places are limited, so please apply early.
Is lunch provided?
Tea, coffee and refreshments are available throughout the day. Lunch isn't provided, but there's an hour's break and plenty of places to eat on Whitechapel Road.
What should I bring?
Just yourself and something to write with. Workshop materials are provided on the day.

Join fellow imams on 26 November

Fifty places, one day, and a clearer way of guiding the couples who turn to you.

Book your place
Islamic Council

Helping Couples Navigate Marriage is organised by Islamic Council.