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Annual Al-Asr Summer Vacation Course

Ziyarat + Educational Trip to Iraq & Iran, Since 1993

Al-Asr offers a chance of a lifetime to visit holy mausoleums in the cities of Iraq and Iran, which include the shrines of Imam Ali (as), Imam Hussain (as), Imam Kazim (as), Imam Reza (as), Imam Muhammad Taqi (as), Imam Ali Naqi (as), Imam Hasan Askari (as), Hazrat Abbas (as) and Hazrat Masuma (sa). The tour is rich in Islamic education and is designed to highlight the practical elements of Islam to the Muslim youth in Western countries.

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The Background

The Short Vacation Course (SVC) is a summer course for youth to Iraq and The Islamic Republic of Iran. It was started with the objective of giving our youth a more suitable environment to learn their religion. Our experience has shown that whilst living in some countries in the West it is often difficult to acquire moral values of Islam.

Hence the Al-Asr organisation devised a simple plan to take our children to a more healthy and Islamic environment to let them get in touch with and learn more about their religion. By the Grace of Allah, these annual trips have proven to be immensely successful.

Since 1993 the SVC has been held annually and thousands of youth have participated from United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, France, Sweden, Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Not only do the youth learn about Islam, they both feel it and they live it. Many hearts are humbled at the tombs of the Imams (as), many are moved at the shrine of Hazrat Masuma (sa), many a tear falls at the cemetery of martyrs in Tehran (Beheshte Zahra).

Other than the classes, which are held everyday, ziyarats and sightseeing activities give our youth the opportunity to meet and interact with Muslim friends from around the world. These friendships and memories, as we have witnessed, last a lifetime.

Accommodation, food, transportation (within Iraq and Iran) are taken care of by the Al-Asr organisation. The group usually visits Najaf, Karbala, Kadhmain, Samarra, Mashhad, Tehran and Qom. Afterwards depending on the arrangement, it may also be possible to visit other well known cities.

Hujjatul Islam Maulana Sabzwary who is the head of the Al-Asr organization in London, is in charge of this caravan. He stays with the group and takes care of all the participants. 

During the course, staff in Iraq and Iran accompany the group. The group is usually accompanied by a nurse for medical attention.

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18-25 yrsAge Restriction

30 DaysJun 30th - Jul 28th 2024

7 ImamsZiyaraat in 8 Cities

60+ hrsLearning & Counseling

Eid Mubahila in Najaf al AshrafZiyarat of 6 Imam's in 4 cities in Iraq

Ashoor (10th Muharram) in MashhadExperience the Muharram in Iraq and Iran

Iraq + Iran

30 Days / 8 Cities
Jun 30th - Jul 28th 2024

US$1,975

Amount in USD

Complete Ground Package
Iran & Iraq Visa
Inbound & Outbound Flights
Initial PCR Test

Iran Only

21 Days / 4 Cities
Jul 10th - 28th 2024

US$1,225

Amount in USD

Complete Ground Package
Iran Visa Approval Only
Inbound & Outbound Flights
Initial PCR Test

Application Process

The application process is different for each country. For more information on how to apply, costs and contact details check out the application process for your country

Registration Closed

The application process is finished and for the year 2022 and will be open for the Summer 2023 in September 2022, Insha Allah

United Kingdom
United States
Canada
Rest of the world

Application Deadline31st May 2024

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What our students say about us?

Since 1993 the SVC has been held annually and thousands of youth have participated from United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, France, Sweden, Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Not only do the youth learn about Islam, they both feel it and they live it. Many hearts are humbled at the tombs of the Imams (as), many are moved at the shrine of Hazrat Masuma (sa), many a tear falls at the cemetery of martyrs. In this series, they are saying about their experiences.

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Philosophy behind Al-Asr SVC

One of the main philosophies and motive to launch the Al-Asr Summer Vacation Course for western youth in Iraq and Iran was this reality regarding the I’lm.

“I have placed knowledge in hunger and being away from home, and the people seek it through satiety and being at home, and (hence) they will never ever find it.”

إنّی وَضَعْتُ الْعِلْمَ فِی الْجُوعِ وَ الغُربَةِ وَ النَّاسُ یَطْلُبُونَهُ فِی الشِّبَعِ وَ الوَطَن، فَلَم یَجِدُوهُ أبَداً