Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
I pray this newsletter finds you in the best of health and iman.
This quarter has been one of delivery, growth, and momentum. Alhamdulillah, we have seen months of planning come to fruition through the successful delivery of several key programmes, whilst continuing to respond to the growing needs of revert women across the UK and beyond.
Everything we do is centred around one purpose: ensuring that every revert woman has access to the support, education, and community she needs to thrive. None of this would be possible without your continued generosity, trust, and du’as, and for that, we are sincerely grateful.
One of the greatest milestones this quarter was the successful delivery of our inaugural in-person Foundation Course, Anchored Hearts: Strengthening Your Connection with Allah (swt). Generously funded by National Waqf, this landmark programme represented a significant step forward for Solace Institute and our commitment to providing high-quality Islamic education for revert women. Following months of planning and development, we welcomed 66 women onto the programme over the weekend course. Due to the funding and further generous donations, we were able to sponsor 18 women to attend the course The course brought together revert and non-revert Muslim women from across the UK in an environment centred around learning, reflection, worship, and sisterhood.
The impact was truly inspiring. Participants shared how the course had strengthened their relationship with Allah (swt), increased their confidence in practising their faith, and provided practical tools they could implement in their everyday lives. Many also expressed a desire to continue their Islamic learning through future Solace Institute programmes.
We are sincerely grateful to National Waqf for their support in making this programme possible. Their investment has enabled dozens of women to deepen their connection with Allah (swt), strengthen their understanding of Islam, and build meaningful relationships with other sisters on similar journeys. This marks an exciting new chapter for Solace Institute, and insha’Allah we look forward to expanding our educational provision in the coming months.
This quarter also marked the successful completion of our Business Empowerment Programme, the final stage of our Debt Relief and Financial Empowerment Programme. Following the completion of the Financial Literacy Course, participants then commenced the Business Empowerment Course and spent several months developing business plans, refining their ideas, and building the confidence to pursue self-employment. Alhamdulillah, 10 revert women successfully pitched their businesses and were awarded micro-grants to launch or grow their ventures.
Watching these women progress throughout the programme has been incredibly rewarding. Many began the journey uncertain about their future, but left equipped with practical business knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and renewed confidence to work towards long-term financial independence. This programme continues to demonstrate the importance of providing not only immediate financial support, but also sustainable pathways that empower revert women to build secure futures for themselves and their families.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the anonymous funder whose generous support made this programme possible. Their kindness and trust have enabled Solace to provide holistic support that extends far beyond debt relief, empowering revert women with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to achieve lasting financial independence. Through this generosity, women have been given the opportunity not only to overcome immediate financial hardship but to build brighter, more sustainable futures for themselves and their families. May Allah (swt) accept their generosity, place immense barakah in their wealth, and reward them abundantly in this life and the Hereafter. Ameen.
Dhul Hijjah is always one of the most significant periods of the year for Solace, and once again our community came together with remarkable generosity and commitment. Throughout the blessed days, supporters, volunteers, fundraisers and donors united to help ensure that revert women could continue accessing the vital services they rely upon. Beyond fundraising, the campaign helped raise greater awareness of the unique challenges many revert women face and encouraged more people to become part of the Solace family.
As part of our Dhul Hijjah campaign, we launched our first Snowdon Challenge Fundraiser, inviting supporters to take on the climb in aid of revert women. Alhamdulillah, we saw a fantastic response, with our hikers demonstrating incredible dedication both in their fundraising efforts and their commitment to raising awareness of Solace’s work. 43 women took on the challenge, with 28 reaching the summit Alhamdulillah.
As the demand for our Marriage Service continues to grow, we are delighted to announce the appointment of a dedicated Marriage Service Manager. This reflects both the increasing need for specialist support and our commitment to continually strengthening the service we provide.
As we move into the next quarter, our focus remains on strengthening sustainable services that respond to the evolving needs of revert women. Whether through wellbeing, financial empowerment, marriage support or community events, our commitment remains the same: ensuring that no revert woman has to walk her journey alone.
There are many ways you can continue supporting this work. You can refer a revert woman who may benefit from our services, volunteer your time and expertise, donate towards our programmes, or simply help raise awareness of Solace within your own communities.
Above all, we ask that you continue to remember Solace, our staff, volunteers, and the women we serve in your du’as.
This work has never been about numbers alone. It is about the sister who finds hope after believing she had nowhere to turn. It is about the woman who discovers a community that welcomes her with open arms. It is about strengthening faith, restoring dignity, and ensuring every revert woman knows she belongs.
May Allah (swt) accept every effort, place barakah in this work, and allow us to continue serving revert women with sincerity, excellence, and compassion.
Ameen.
With gratitude and du’a,
Aliyah Umm Raiyaan
CEO & Founder
Solace UK
