The Faces of Dar-us-Sakina: A Year in Review
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on the success of our Faces of DUS blog initiative, where each month we feature a remarkable community member or resource that makes Dar-us-Sakina such a unique and supportive space. This year, we also honored monthly disability awareness days by highlighting individuals who live with and advocate for these special needs. Their stories, insights, and contributions inspired us all.
From Ibrahim Hussain's story during Low Vision Awareness Month in February to Noor Ibrahim's vibrant presence during Down Syndrome Awareness Month in March, we kicked off the year by showcasing strength and resilience within our community. April brought us closer to Ahmed Algaswan during Autism Awareness Month, whose story deepened our understanding of inclusion and advocacy.
In May, we featured Selina Ali for Mental Health Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of emotional well-being and tools to foster resilience. June focused on Osayd Pirzada and the impact of internships for youth with special needs. It was an honor to feature so many incredible people, families, and organizations each month. We concluded the year with Leena and Umara Raza, a family whose story of resilience, love, and support reminds us of the power of community.
These stories were more than monthly features—they were opportunities to listen, learn, and grow together as a community. Each voice brought a unique perspective and contributed to fostering a space of understanding, connection, and support.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in this year’s Faces of DUS series. Your willingness to share your experiences, challenges, and successes has fostered understanding, connection, and community. These stories have inspired us and strengthened the fabric of Dar-us-Sakina, creating a space of acceptance, growth, and inclusion for all.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to continue featuring more community members, families, and programs that make our work possible. Each story has a place here, and we can’t wait to celebrate more voices next year. If you or someone you know would like to share your journey, we’d love to hear from you. Follow us on social media, share our content with your friends, and let’s continue to strengthen our community, together.
Thank you for being part of this journey, and here’s to another year of celebrating our community together.
December 28, 2024
Jami Sabety-Atto